Game Preview: New York Giants at Washington Redskins, September 25, 2014

Eli Manning – © USA TODAY Sports Images

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New York Giants at Washington Redskins, September 25, 2014

The New York Giants (1-2) square off against the Washington Redskins (1-2) Thursday evening in New York’s first NFC East matchup.

Prince Amukamara and Stevie Brown – © USA TODAY Sports Images

FOUR DOWNS:

First Down
Who plays free safety?
When the Giants released safety Will Hill, it was assumed that Stevie Brown would fill in at free safety after missing all of last season with a knee injury. The last time Brown saw significant playing time, he tied for the league lead in interceptions with eight. Those hopes of yet to materialize this year as Brown has struggled in coverage and has yet to trust the instincts that made him one of the league’s best ball hawks two years ago. Last week versus Houston, Brown was benched.

When Brown exited the lineup, rookie Nat Berhe took his place. This week in practice, Quintin Demps got the first-team reps at free safety. So who will be out there Thursday night? It’ll be interesting to look who steps on the field first, how that player performs and if there is a role for Brown within the defense as a starter. When Brown had his most success, he was allowed to play the ‘Kenny Phillips’ role. Sit back 15-20 yards from the line of scrimmage, watch the quarterbacks eyes and stop anything that goes deep down the field. Brown could be removed as an everyday starter and used in that position instead. All will be shown in Washington.

Second Down
Has the offensive line turned the corner?
With offensive lines, so many times it’s not so much about having the best players, but the players that play best together. The last two games for the Giants have been some of the best in pass protection, and last Sunday versus Houston may have been the best run blocking the team has provided in well over a year. The question now is centered around if Sunday was a mirage, or is that how the line will play on a regular basis. A good, but banged up, Washington defensive front will be a nice test.

Third Down
Does Andre Williams see an increased workload?
Rashad Jennings ran the ball an awful lot last week with immense success. In a game in which he set career highs, Jennings rushed for 176 yards and touched the ball nearly 40 times. In a short turnaround, Jennings’ body may not be fully healed just yet.

Versus Houston, Williams got a few carrie spelling Jennings, but didn’t seem to have the same success. It wasn’t necessarily a knock on Williams, but rather more attributed to the fact Jennings was playing out of his mind. Through three games, Williams hasn’t experienced the same success he found in the preseason, there’s no denying that, but that could also be due to the fact he hasn’t been allowed to get into a rhythm running the ball. Williams comes off as a player that gets stronger as the game goes on. He may have a chance to do just that tomorrow night.

Josh Brown Kicks the Game-Winner in Overtime – © USA TODAY Sports Images

Fourth Down
Can the special teams be special?
For the last several years, few units in the NFL has been as porous as the Giants special teams. Be it poor coverage, poor blocking or poor returns, there’s been nothing ‘special’ about the unit. This offseason, it looked like New York made the right changes to fix the group. Trindon Holliday and Quintin Demps were signed while Odell Beckham Jr. was drafted to address the return game. Bennett Jackson was drafted and Zack Bowman signed to fix the coverage unit. Three games in, it’s the same old, same old.

There’s no explosiveness from the return game as Holliday is on the injured reserve and Beckham is dealing with a hamstring. A training camp foot injury hurt Jackson’s shot of making the roster and he’s on the practice squad. Zack Bowman has missed more special teams tackles than he’s made. A lot of criticism has been given to Tom Quinn, some of it warranted, but more needs to go to the players.

Just like the offense, playmakers need to make plays. Demps and Bowman were brought in to do that, but both have been below average three games in.

BREAKING DOWN WASHINGTON:

OFFENSE – by Connor Hughes
Strength?
As bad as it sounds, Robert Griffin III’s dislocated ankle may have been the best thing to happen to Washington this season. In Jay Gruden’s high-octane, go-deep offense, it looks as if former fourth-round pick Kirk Cousins may be better suited to play the offense, at least it’s looking that way right now. In the two games Cousins has played, the quarterback has completed 52-of-81 passes (64.2 percent) and thrown for 677 yards with five touchdowns and one interception. In fact, Cousins’ 427 passing yards last week versus Philadelphia were more than Griffin has ever thrown for in his 30 games played.

DeSean Jackson is now a member of Washington – © USA TODAY Sports Images

While Cousins’ gaudy numbers haven’t exactly been compiled against the league’s best secondaries (Jacksonville/Philly), they’re impressive none the less. The quarterback seems to be thriving in Gruden’s offense and looks far different than the quarterback that started against the Giants in the final game of last season. Then again, having targets like DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garćon to throw the ball to helps. Last year’s final game of the season, one where Cousins completed just 19-of-49 passes for 169 yards with a pair of interceptions, will certainly be on the quarterback’s mind. The key? New York will have to  pressure Cousins and keep him off balance.

Weakness?
There really isn’t a known weakness across the Redskins offense: The have one of the league’s better running backs in Alfred Morris, two good receivers in Garćon and Jackson and a good offensive line that has allowed Cousins to be pressure on just 19 percent of his drop backs. On Thursday night, the Giants will look to find and exploit a potential hole. That could be putting pressure into the face of Cousins. Versus Philadelphia and Jacksonville, Cousins was allowed to drop back and scan the defense with little pressure heading his way. If the Giants can create pressure, either with their front four or blitzes, Cousins may be forced into mistakes. Cousins has a little bit of a reputation as a player who will take some chances. In the 10 games he’s played in, he’s thrown an interception seven.

DEFENSE –by Eric Kennedy
Strength?
The Redskins operate out of a 3-4 on defense and the strength of their defensive team in in their front seven. The Redskins were terrible defensively in 2013, but they retained defensive coordinator Jim Haslett who has mostly done a fine job during his tenure in Washington. Thus far, the Redskins look much improved on defense in 2014. Up front, ex-Cowboy Jason Hatcher is the best pass rusher at RDE. Hatcher has been bothered by a hamstring injury however. NT Chris Baker is filling for the injured Barry Cofield. Jarvis Jenkins is the LDE. The more dangerous players are at OLB with Brian Orakpo (who is dealing with torn ligaments in his left hand) and Ryan Kerrigan. Both can rush the passer and have caused the Giants problems in the past. ILB Perry Riley is an athletic, 3-down player.

Weakness?
It’s the secondary. And it’s weaker now that the Redskins have lost CB DeAngelo Hall – who has caused problems for Eli in the past – for the season. He will be replaced at left corner by rookie Bashaud Breeland. RCB David Amerson has struggled at times. E.J. Biggers is the nickel corner and Victor Cruz should do well against him. The safeties – Brandon Meriweather and Ryan Clark – are veterans who are on the downside of their respective careers.

Larry Donnell – © USA TODAY Sports Images

PLAYER TO WATCH:

Connor Hughes –
Larry Donnell
Quickly, Larry Donnell is establishing himself as the complete package at tight end for the Giants. It was always known that Donnell had the ability to be a receiver, but blocking was a huge work in progress. It looks like Donnell, and positional coach Kevin Gilbride, have put in the time to fine-tune Donnell’s craft in that aspect. He took a huge step forward in that area versus Houston and Washington will provide another tough test. Tom Coughlin was hoping someone would step up at the position, someone has.

Eric Kennedy –
Prince Amukamara and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
These two have the most important match-up battles against Pierre Garçon and DeSean Jackson. With the free safety spot shaky right now, it is critical that both Amakamara and DRC  play well against Washington’s two most explosive play-makers.

FROM THE COACHES’ MOUTH:

Tom Coughlin – (On Kirk Cousins) “All you have to do is put the tape on. Forty-five points, two games. He’s thrown the ball very well – the deep ball, the percentage passes, all kinds of yardage. They’ve done a very nice job in terms of adjusting their style of play and he’s played well.”

Eli Manning – © USA TODAY Sports Images

Jay Gruden – (On an improved Eli Manning) “Yeah, I think so. That is just my impression of just watching them for the last 23 hours. I would say my impression coming in playing the Giants from playing them a couple years ago and studying them now, I think it is totally different.”

FINAL WORD:

Connor Hughes – 
As good as last week’s win was, it came against the same team that was selecting No. 1 overall in this year’s draft. With that being said, it’s extremely encouraging to see the rate at which the offense is picking up Ben McAdoo’s scheme. Comparing the dysfunctional unit that was on display for four quarters in Detroit, to the way the team has played the last eight, it’s an entirely different unit.

It’s not going to be easy against Washington, but just like the Giants, call the last two games what they are. Kirk Cousins has torched the Jacksonville Jaguars and Philadelphia Eagles. For any that have watched Philly this year, the defense is far from anything close to a dominant force. As for Jacksonville? Well, it’s the same old Jaguars.

The Giants defense will be the toughest Cousins has faced, and with the way the pass rush has faired this season, I think Cousins could be in for a very long day. Not only is the Giants secondary vastly improved, but so to is the pass rush. Damontre Moore looks to be a budding super star, Jason Pierre-Paul is back and Robert Ayers Jr. has been one of the best and most underrated free agent signings. If that pass rush can get into the face of Cousins and force some throws, I wouldn’t be surprised to see another two-to-three interceptions.

The game is going to come down to who turns the ball over, when those turnovers come and who makes less. If Eli Manning is good Eli, the Giants can win this one running away. It’s going to come down to who makes the fewest mistakes. I think that team will be the Giants.
New York 23 – Washington 13

Eric Kennedy – The Giants have to stop the run and make Washington one-dimensional. Offensively, the Giants should be able to do damage against this secondary if they can keep the pass rushers off of Manning. I’m 0-3 on predictions this year. Let’s keep it going.
Redskins 42 – Giants 0