These two teams know who they are. There are no major lies being told in either locker room — both franchises know that at this current place in history, they rank near the bottom of the NFL landscape, and they are unlikely to compete for a playoff spot.
Still, the Washington Redskins and New York Giants will refuse to admit that the other team is better than them. While the outside world may write them off, passing over Sunday’s game between the two as something not worth their time, the matchup between NFC East foes will provide a critical mile-marker in the season for both teams. The Giants are looking to prove to themselves that they can win without their prized running back in Saquon Barkley, as well as showing the world that rookie quarterback Daniel Jones is for real. As for the Redskins, all they want to do is instill some confidence back in the program, and maybe let the rest of the league know that they aren’t at the complete bottom of the barrel.
It will be a gritty matchup, and one that both teams desperately want to win. For the Redskins, and head coach Jay Gruden, it is a borderline must-win contest, as he may not be around for the future should his team drop to 0-4. Let’s take a look at some keys to victory.
Get Pressure on Daniel Jones
Sure, Jones may have looked impressive in his debut last weekend against Tampa Bay, but it’s tough for anyone to make plays down field when they are being forced out of the pocket. For the first time all season, the Redskins were able to get a semblance of a pass-rush going against the Chicago Bears, and rookie Montez Sweat became a mainstay in the backfield with the help of Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen.
If the big boys up front can start to get some pressure on Jones and make their presence felt early, then they have a great chance to nullify his arm talent. It’s imperative that this happens early in the game, though. Get him in the dirt, rattle him from the jump, and make sure that he always feels pressure. It’s egregious to call for a defense to play dirty and risk an injury, but Washington needs to try and rough the rookie up while staying within the rules of the game. If they can take away New York’s passing game, and make sure that ‘Danny Dimes’ doesn’t continue his folk-lore status against them on Sunday, then there’s a real chance that they can come away with a victory.
Resurrect the Case Keenum of Week 1 and 2
For two glorious weeks, it seemed in Washington that the Redskins had gotten a bargain with Keenum, as he looked to be taking the form of NFC Championship Case Keenum, rather than the QB who was run out of Denver a year ago. Through two games, Keenum had thrown for five touchdowns with zero interceptions, and he had over 600 yards passing. Then everything changed. Against the Bears, Keenum was responsible for five turnovers, and he was the main reason why the Redskin lost in embarrassing fashion on MNF.
For Washington to have any chance at keeping this game close, Keenum will need to be better. That doesn’t mean that he must go 25-for-33 with 350 yards and three touchdowns, but he absolutely cannot turn the ball over more than once. With the injuries that have already depleted this roster, the Redskins can’t afford to play behind the chains and give the other team extra possessions. A victory will start and end with Keenum on Sunday.
Capitalize on New York’s Biggest Injury
It’s a cardinal rule that you never root for an injury to opposing players in football, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t breath a sigh of relief when they work out in your favor. The Giants will be without RB Saquon Barkley on Sunday, who is arguably the best back in all of the NFL. This is a huge break for the Redskins defense, and they need to take advantage of the situation.
In his young career against Washington, Barkley has rushed 27 times for 208 yards and one touchdown. That’s hardly a groundbreaking stat, but when you consider that production came against a Redskins defense that ranked near the middle of the NFL against the run, rather than this year’s team, who ranks 28th in the league when it comes to yards-allowed per game, it’s a scary thought.
Instead of Barkley getting the rock on Sunday, it will be Wayne Gallman instead. Thank the heavens. In order for the Redskins to take full advantage of this matchup, they need to shut the NY rushing attack completely down, and take the benefits that injury have given them.
