The Washington Redskins come into week three on a wave of confidence. But their track record against the New York Giants is anything but consistent. (Getty)
The NFC East is a mess.
In just two weeks this season, the division has seen disappointing starts, unlikely performances and injuries. It hasn’t been pretty. It hasn’t been fun. It, desperately, needs to change.
The New York Giants and Washington Redskins will try to do just that as the squads square off in a week three matchup at MetLife Stadium on Thursday night. Kickoff is slated for 8:30 p.m. ET.
Despite a disastrous 0-2 start to the season, the Giants have the slight advantage over Washington on Thursday, thanks in large part to the recent history between the two teams. In the last three years, New York is 5-1 against the Redskins, outscoring their divisional foe by 66 points. So, yeah, the Giants have looked bad early, but the Redskins have looked even worse against New York.
In other words, welcome to the NFC East, where anything is possible. Thursday night’s game will be broadcast nationally on both CBS and NFL Network. Here’s everything you need to know about the matchup:
The Basics
Who:
Washington Redskins vs. New York Giants
When:
Thursday, September 24, 8:30 p.m.
Channel:
The game will be broadcast nationally on both CBS and NFL Network.
Where:
MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
Line:
New York -3.5 via OddsShark
Last Meeting:
New York 24, Washington 13 on December 14, 2014 in New York
Scouting the Redskins
Washington Redskins QB Kirk Cousins is looking to make sure history doesn’t repeat itself against the New York Giants this week. (Getty)
Kirk Cousins has a bit of a reputation when it comes to facing off against the New York Giants. It’s not a particularly good one.
The Redskins quarterback threw four interceptions en route to a 45-14 loss against Big Blue in the squad’s first game of the season last year. That can’t happen this time around and Cousins is determined to make sure it doesn’t:
Coming into this year, Cousins had thrown 19 picks in 240 attempts before adding to that total with two interceptions in the Redskins week one loss to Miami. But last week was a step in the right direction. Cousins finished turnover-free and threw just four incompletions to lead Washington to a victory over the St. Louis Rams.
If the line can hold in front of him, Cousins is primed for a big-time game, particularly against a New York Giants secondary that is just as banged up as ever.
Scouting the Giants
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning may be without one of his top offensive lineman this week. (Getty)
Another week, another set of injuries for the New York Giants.
Big Blue could be without offensive tackle, and first-round pick, Ereck Flowers on Thursday night after he re-injured his ankle in last week’s loss to Atlanta. Flowers didn’t practice on Tuesday and head coach Tom Coughlin was unsure if he’d be able to go against Washington.
“Is he going to be able to function properly? Does he know exactly what he’s doing?” Coughlin told ESPN. “This is a week in which you could say that anybody who can go through a jog-through can be prepared, and I think he’ll mentally be ready. But they’re going to be very conservative and make sure that he has a good grasp of the healing process.”
The Giants will also likely be without top cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie after he suffered a concussion in week two. According to Coughlin, Rodgers-Cromartie was in the process of going through the NFL concussion protocol but likely won’t be cleared by Thursday night.
There is some good news, however. Middle linebacker Jon Beason, who has been plagued by injures overt he last few seasons, practiced this week and hopes to make his season debut against the Redskins. Beason’s potential return could be a huge spark for the Giants defense, which has visibly missed his on-field leadership and ability to drop back in coverage.