The New York Giants (1-2) host the Washington Redskins (0-3) at MetLife Stadium this Sunday for 173rd time in the regular season. The rivalry is the oldest in the NFC East, dating back to 1932.
Here are six quick things to know:
Two teams that could be headed in different directions
The Giants are coming off a thrilling 32-31 road victory over Tampa Bay last week, led by rookie quarterback Daniel Jones. The Giants are in full rebuild mode now and it appears that everyone’s job is safe for at least this season and next. Washington was a complete mess in their Monday loss to the Bears at home. Head coach Jay Gruden (35-47-1) is in his sixth season with the Skins and is on the hot seat as his tea has not finished higher than third place since 2015.
Jones changed narrative of Giants’ season in one game
The Giants have loads of issues, but all of them were pushed to the back burner after the 32-31 win over the Buccaneers. Jones, in his first NFL start passed for 336 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions for a 112.7 rating and had two rushing touchdowns in Week 3 at Tampa.
Jones was the first Giants quarterback with at least two passing and two rushing touchdowns in a game since November 28, 1948. He also became the first rookie with 300+ pass yards, 2+ pass TDs and 2+ rush TDs in single game since 1970. He joined Detroit’s Eric Hipple (1981) as the only quarterbacks with 2+ pass TDs and 2+ rush TDs in their first career start in NFL history.
Jones can join Arizona’s Kyler Murray (2019) and Carolina’s Cam Newton (2011) as the only rookies with 300+ pass yards in each of their first two career starts in NFL history.
They will be no Jones-Haskins showdown…yet
Gruden has said that rookie quarterback Dwayne Haskins would not be starting this week against the Giants. He will continue with journeyman Case Keenum for the foreseeable future. Haskins was the 15th overall selection in this year’s NFL Draft after Daniel Jones was taken at No. 6. The controversy was that the Giants took Jones that early because had they waited until their next pick at No. 17, the Redskins would have selected him instead of Haskins. Washington’s front office denied that was their plan. No one cares, now.
Saquon Barkley will be out for awhile
Barkley was injured in the first half of the Giants’ win over Tampa Bay last week, turning his ankle anthem having it landed on by a defender. He was diagnosed with a high ankle sprain and the prognosis for recovery was given as four-to-eight weeks. He is seeking opinions from other specialists but it is believed he could be gone until Week 11.
Evan Engram is a beast
Engram, who was poised to have a breakout season, is averaging 92.3 yards per game and had six receptions for 113 yards and a touchdown last week in Tampa, including a career-long 75-yard touchdown catch and run. He is aiming for his seventh game in row with five-plus catches. He is only tight end in the NFL currently with 20+ receptions (23), 250+ receiving yards (277) and two or more receiving touchdowns (2).
Homecoming for Collins, Flowers
Redskins safety Landon Collins will be facing his old team for the first time since signing a six-year, $84 million deal with Washington last March. Collins, who was a second round pick of the Giants in 2015 out of Alabama, was a three-time Pro Bowler for New York. He leads the Redskins with 26 total tackles this season. Flowers has had a renaissance of sorts with the Redskins, emerging as their starting left guard after washing out as a tackle for the Giants. The Giants’ 2015 first round selection has played 207 of the team’s 217 offensive snaps thus far this season.
