The Student of the GameGoing Beyond the Stats

All things being equal in the previous September, the New York Giants playing against the Washington Redskins would lead the mind to the kind of domination and cruelty by the ‘G-men’ against the ‘Skins that can be implied in the phrase ‘Cowboys and Indians’ (more than when Washington is playing the actual NFL Cowboys from Dallas). But with the recent rollercoaster ride that is the Giants performance of late going 6 losses in their last 8 games and the Redskins having players striving to impress the inevitable incoming regime under lame-duck Head Coach Jim Zorn, whispers of potential upset were in the air. And if I raised this point in a court of law I would be complimented for an eloquent, intelligent, well-thought-out objection . . . AND OVER-RULED! Giants win, 45-12.
Giants QB Eli Manning (19/26, 73%, 268 yards, 3 TDs) had a 3rd down completion percentage tantamount to his solid pass completion percentage at 73% (11-15). While Manning’s favorite targets included WR Hakim Nicks, TE Kevin Boss, but it was WR Mario Manningham (2catches, 44 yards), WR Steve Smith (5 catches, 40 yards), and WR Derek Hagan (1 catch, 23 yards) who contributed TD catches.
On the ground, RB Ahmad Bradshaw (9 carries, 61 yards, 6.9 per carry with 2 TDs) was the first of a one-two punch running for production along with RB Brandon Jacobs (16 carries, 52 yards, 3.25 per carry) who inspired Skins DT Albert Haynesworth after throwing a swing on Washington DB DeAngelo hall during a scuffle in the second half which only resulted in a 15-yard penalty against Haynesworth and 0 ejections.
Redskins scoring was brought in by RB Quinton Ganther (10 carries, 21 yards, 2.1 per carry, TD) and TE Fred Davis (5 carries, 65 yards, TD) on a pass from QB Jason Campbell ()15/28, 192, TD, 2INTs).
While the Redskins are just as hopeless for the playoffs as their performance in this game, the Giants have a chance to hurl themselves into the playoffs with a bit of help from the Packers or Cowboys.