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TSN's 'Skins - Giants matchup


goldenster95

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Why To Watch

The lead in the NFC East is at stake as the upstart Giants host longtime rival Washington. The Giants, Redskins and Eagles are tied atop the division at 4-2 with the Cowboys a half-game back at 4-3.

Washington's resurgence is led by veteran quarterback Mark Brunell, who has teamed with wide receiver Santana Moss to create excitement in the passing game. Brunell, 35, is moving and throwing like he did before the multiple knee surgeries. He is making plays on the run and in the short and intermediate passing game to H-back Chris Cooley and wide receiver David Patten. Clinton Portis is benefiting and back among the leading rushers in the NFL. The defense has been surprisingly suspect against the run but ranks fourth in the league in total defense, keeping Washington in games.

The Giants have an explosive passing game led by emerging quarterback Eli Manning. His primary targets are wide receiver Plaxico Burress and tight end Jeremy Shockey. That has led to almost constant man-to-man coverage on wide receiver Amani Toomer, who has responded with several big plays in recent weeks, including five receptions and the game-winning touchdown in the final seconds last week. As Manning flourishes, the load on running back Tiki Barber has been reduced.

Defense is the Giants' problem. Although the Giants are in a first-place tie heading into Week 8, they must develop a defensive playmaker to beat Washington this week or make the playoffs.

Redskins Keys For Success

1. Throw short. Cooley is a big, reliable target for Brunell. The Giants' defensive linemen run straight upfield in the pass rush, and the linebackers drop back in coverage, leaving the middle of the field open. Throwing to Cooley, fullback Mike Sellers or Patten will loosen up the defense for Portis.

2. Stop return men Chad Morton and Willie Ponder. Statistically, the Giants lead the Redskins in every special teams category. Ponder ranks fourth in the NFL in kickoff return average (28.4 yards), and Morton ranks fourth in punt return average (10.4 yards), and each already has a return touchdown this season. Washington's coverage teams are good but need punter Derrick Frost to do better than his 37.3-yard net average or Morton will be dancing in the end zone. Nick Novak also must drive his kickoffs high and long to stymie Ponder. A touchback would be nice but improbable; Washington is one of two NFL teams yet to record a touchback on kickoffs in '05.

3. Run the ball. The Redskins like to use one-back, two-tight end sets. They use zone-blocking techniques and run behind right tackle Jon Jansen and right guard Randy Thomas, using Cooley to seal the backside. Portis follows the blockers to the right, forcing the defense to flow that way. He then will wait for a hole to open inside, using his cutback ability to take the run up the middle and against the grain of the flowing defense.

Giants Keys For Success

1. Defend the deep ball. The Giants' pass defense is struggling and has been especially susceptible to downfield passes. Brunell and Moss have become a lethal downfield combination. The Giants must provide safety help to cornerback Will Allen, who can't run with Moss. But that will leave Giants defensive coordinator Tim Lewis with a tough choice: A) Cover Cooley with a linebacker, or B) try to stop Barber with only seven men in the box.

2. Run off-tackle. If right tackle Kareem McKenzie and left tackle Luke Petitgout can seal off Redskins ends Renaldo Wynn and Phillip Daniels, Barber has the speed and power to cut back and take advantage of middle linebacker Lemar Marshall's inability to cut quickly. The Redskins' 15th-ranked run defense is not as strong after allowing Antonio Pierce to bolt to New York via free agency.

3. Keep Brunell in the pocket. Pressuring Brunell and getting him out of rhythm is an important part of the game plan. The pass rushers, though, must be cautious and not let him escape the pocket. Brunell still is athletic enough to create when forced to scramble or on designed bootlegs. He is poised and will make plays with second and third receivers or move the chains with a scramble upfield. Keeping Brunell in the pocket could lead to sacks because Brunell often holds the ball too long. Look for the Giants to rarely blitz and instead use the extra men to mix coverages and force bad throws. It'll be up to Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora to generate pressure.

The Bottom Line

Washington is a more complete team with more depth and veteran presence. The Redskins' balanced offense and fourth-ranked defense gives them the advantage over the Giants' high-flying attack. The Giants lack the playmakers on defense to consistently get Washington's offense off the field.

Pick: Redskins 24, Giants 23

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Why To Watch

Giants Keys For Success

1. Defend the deep ball. The Giants' pass defense is struggling and has been especially susceptible to downfield passes. Brunell and Moss have become a lethal downfield combination. The Giants must provide safety help to cornerback Will Allen, who can't run with Moss. But that will leave Giants defensive coordinator Tim Lewis with a tough choice: A) Cover Cooley with a linebacker, or B) try to stop Barber with only seven men in the box.

The Bottom Line

Washington is a more complete team with more depth and veteran presence. The Redskins' balanced offense and fourth-ranked defense gives them the advantage over the Giants' high-flying attack. The Giants lack the playmakers on defense to consistently get Washington's offense off the field.

Pick: Redskins 24, Giants 23

overview.html

I think he means Portis here.

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Why To Watch

Giants Keys For Success

1. Defend the deep ball. The Giants' pass defense is struggling and has been especially susceptible to downfield passes. Brunell and Moss have become a lethal downfield combination. The Giants must provide safety help to cornerback Will Allen, who can't run with Moss. But that will leave Giants defensive coordinator Tim Lewis with a tough choice: A) Cover Cooley with a linebacker, or B) try to stop Barber with only seven men in the box.

overview.html

Um, he means Portis right?

Will Allen is going to get torched all day. Portis is going to go over 100 and find the endzone AGAIN. Maybe im still high from last weekends win, but i feel really good about this game......not predicting a blowout, but we will win this game.

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3. Run the ball. The Redskins like to use one-back, two-tight end sets. They use zone-blocking techniques and run behind right tackle Jon Jansen and right guard Randy Thomas, using Cooley to seal the backside. Portis follows the blockers to the right, forcing the defense to flow that way. He then will wait for a hole to open inside, using his cutback ability to take the run up the middle and against the grain of the flowing defense.

Apparently TSN saw one play on televsion, and assumed that this play was indicative of our entire running scheme. So lazy.

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Apparently TSN saw one play on televsion, and assumed that this play was indicative of our entire running scheme. So lazy.

Agreed. Betts(and even cartwright against SF) have been putting up some good numbers also. Personally, to have Betts as a back-up RB is as good as it gets. I could see him starting elsewhere, but he sticks it out here and does great as a back-up.

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We have the #1 WR in the league and they get the nod over our recievers? I can't say I agree with that. :2cents:

Moss is spectacular. But they have three - Burress, Shockey, Toomer - who are solid to excellent. The Redskin Nation believes that Moss, Patten, Cooley and/or Jacobs are just as good but the rest of the world who don't follow as closely as we do can't see that.

24-23 is a chickensh** pick. They pick the score in favor of the Redskins but prefer the Giants overall (experts). Whatever. I like it that we can have #2 offense and #4 defense and still somehow fly under the radar of "experts"...

:gaintsuck

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']Come on guys. OVerall the edge go to the Giants in WR's.

Overall - slight edge, yes. Not much, but a slight edge.

Difference is we have the defense that can stay with NYG recievers - particularly ST versus Shockey - something that other teams don't...

That is the key matchup - NYG 'O' versus WAS 'D'

NYG 'D' is clearly overmatched with WAS 'O'

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