It was all smiles for the New York Giants on Thursday night as they were able to dismantle the Redskin 45-14. The game featured two teams that appear to be going in opposite directions. The Giants seem to be hitting a rhythm, and it appears they’re on the upswing. The Redskins, on the other hand, seem like they’re in line for another long season.
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Unlike last week, the run game was not extraordinary tonight, but it didn’t have to be. Eli Manning played his best game in recent memory, as he threw four touchdowns and rushed for another. Manning had an interception that came on a quagmire of a play, but disregarding that, Manning did not put the ball into harms way throughout the course of the game. The interception came when Randle caught a pass, got two feet down, but lost the ball following a hit by safety Brandon Meriweather. Perry Riley would come down with the free ball.
For the second straight week Victor Cruz went over 100 yards, and the offense just looked good, plain and simple. I guess this is what Ben McAdoo’s new offense is capable of doing. Rueben Randle and Eli connected a few times for some nice completions, and Manning spread the ball around to seven different players. Randle had eight receptions for 89 yards.
“You can’t coach speed, Deion. Some people have it, some people don’t.”
Unheralded tight end Larry Donnell was the star of the night as he hauled in three of Manning’s touchdowns, as he’s quietly established himself as Manning’s favorite red zone target. The Giants utilized Donnell’s size as they matched him up against the smaller Perry Riley and Brandon Meriweather. Donnell is proving week after week that he can be a key contributor in the Giants’ offense. His size creates obvious mismatches, and there were times when the Redskins were triple covering Donnell in the red zone. Daniel Fells also played well, as he recorded his third touchdown in three weeks. Donnell seems like he’s just having fun playing the game, and he’s playing it pretty well too. Donnell seems to have a personality similar to Eli Manning’s which is a good thing if you play in New York.
Head coach Tom Coughlin spoke to the media about Donnell. “Let’s just keep him getting better,” Coughlin said to Giants.com “He’s gotten better each week, he’s an outstanding athlete, obviously. He has size and can get over the top of people. Good ball game tonight, we just hope he keeps getting better.”
Eli Manning has looked elite for the past two games, and it’s certainly a good thing to see if you’re a Giants fan. Of course, you can’t give all the credit to Manning, as a lot of it is due to the superb play from his offensive line. A week removed from giving up one sack to the Houston Texans, the Giants’ offensive line kept Manning clean for the entire game. Manning was only sacked once, and the security by the offensive line directly led to his great play. Manning finished the game with 300 passing yards, four passing touchdowns, a rushing touchdown and a completion percentage of 72, according to NFL.com. The rushing score came from one yard away from the end zone when Eli channeled his inner Fran Tarkenton and scampered in for the score. Manning looks comfortable in the new offensive after a deplorable outing in the season opener against Detroit.
When asked by Deion Sanders about his rushing touchdown, Manning replied with his signature Eli Manning attitude. “You can’t coach speed, Deion. Some people have, it some people don’t.”
Rashad Jennings played well, although he wasn’t as effective as last week. Andre Williams saw an increased role, and he played very well. Jennings finished the game with 13 rushes for 55 yards, while Williams had 15 carries for 66 yards, as well as his first career touchdown.
The defense played lights out football for the Giants. After coming off of a 426 yard games against the Eagles, the Giants’ defense made Kirk Cousins look human, as they intercepted Cousins four times. Prince Amukamara, Trumaine McBride, Quintin Demps and Antrel Rolle all picked off Cousins. With Amukamara and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie playing the way they’re capable of, the Giants can afford to blitz more. The Giants also added two forced fumbles to the laundry list of turnovers. 31 of the Giants’ 45 points came off of turnovers, according to Giants.com.
Three of the interceptions came during the third quarter. The Giants generated pass rush all night, as Damontre Moore, Jason Pierre-Paul, Robert Ayers, Mathias Kiwanuka and Cullen Jenkins all played well. As CBS commentator Jim Nantz and Phil Simms pointed out all night, the Giants’ pass rush is reminiscent of the pass rushes that led them to championships.
Washington’s offensive line was outmatched and was in flux all night, as they couldn’t keep their quarterback upright.
Thursday night’s game showed that Kirk Cousins is not the immediate answer for the Washington Redskins. As Cousins said to the media, this is still Robert Griffin III’s team, and Cousins showed exactly why he has not been named to permanent starter. As expected, Cousins struggled against the best defense he’s faced, and he made some very head scratching throws.
The third year quarterback finished the game with 257 yards, one touchdown and the aforementioned four interceptions. Cousins’ receivers were complete non-factors as the Giants held DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon in check for the duration of the game. Jackson and Garcon finished with a combined total of three receptions for 37 yards, per NFL.com. Alfred Morris was also unable to generate any type of significant offense against a stingy New York defense.
Kirk Cousins spoke to the media following the loss. “I gotta look at my play,” Cousins said to Redskins.com. “We turned the ball over too much. I was trying to get everything back in one play. I was starting to force things and trying to do too much. I’m going to learn from it, but not a good outing.”
The Redskins would lose tight end Niles Paul to an injury.
The Redskins’ defense is reeling, and it doesn’t really seem like things are going to improve that much in the impending weeks. The secondary is depleted, and the ‘Skins were completely devoid of a pass rush. The loss of DeAngelo Hall really hurt the unit, as the Giants virtually had the advantage in every single matchup.
I honestly wouldn’t be surprised to see the Redskins reach out and sign veteran cornerback Champ Bailey. Bailey wouldn’t be a permanent solution for the ‘Skins, but he’s healthy and willing to play a variety of positions, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Bailey started his career with Washington before being traded to Denver.
Free agent CB Champ Bailey, who feels healthy, said he is willing to play nickel or safety if that's what it takes to land a job somewhere.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 24, 2014
Following the loss to the Giants, the Redskins divisional losing record has extended to eight. It’s certainly hard to find a silver lining if you’re the Redskins. Washington plays Seattle at home next week, in a game that will pose an incredible challenge.
For the Giants, another victory helps keep them from falling too far behind the division leading Philadelphia Eagles. New York has looked very, very efficient in the last two weeks, but it’s not as if they’ve been playing the stiffest competition. Houston and Washington are not great teams, but at the same time, it’s not like the Giants barely came away with a win. New York has dominated their opponents over the last two weeks. New York proved last week was not a fluke, and they proved they can be a dangerous team. The Giants don’t play again until next Sunday when they host the high powered Atlanta Falcons. The team will likely have both Jon Beason and Odell Beckham Jr. back in the lineup.
The Giants will get to watch Sunday’s games at home as they prepare for a tough game against Atlanta.
Side Note:
* Although this has nothing to do with football, tonight marked the final home game for New York Yankees’ legend Derek Jeter. Jeter is ending his illustrious career with the Yankees, and he hit the walk-off single to beat the Baltimore Orioles. Congratulations to Derek Jeter for an amazing career in pinstripes.