NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

Giants vs. Redskins: Preview, score prediction for Week 12

By Bryan Manning

NEW ORLEANS, LA - NOVEMBER 19: Josh Doctson #18 of the Washington Redskins runs for a first down during the first half at of a game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on November 19, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - NOVEMBER 19: Josh Doctson #18 of the Washington Redskins runs for a first down during the first half at of a game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on November 19, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

New York Giants vs. Washington Redskins

The 2-8 New York Giants travel to FedEx Field on Thanksgiving night to face the 4-6 Washington Redskins. It’s hard to believe the Giants are just two games behind the Redskins for third place in the NFC East after Sunday’s win over Kansas City. Washington is the much better team but has been besieged by injuries. New York’s offense understands injuries, too, with Odell Beckham and Brandon Marshall among those out for the season.

Now, what we have is one team trying to stay alive in the NFC playoff race, while the other is hoping to steal a few wins down the stretch to save the head coach’s job. Well, the Giants may or may not be trying to save Ben McAdoo’s job.

The Redskins are coming off one of the biggest collapses in team history. Washington led New Orleans 31-16 with just under three minutes remaining in Week 11, yet somehow managed to fall in overtime due to some serious defensive ineptitude. Quarterback Kirk Cousins and the offense did their part, as Cousins was nearly flawless in defeat and Washington still had a chance to win the game late if not for an erroneous intentional-grounding call that pushed the Redskins out of field-goal range.

The Giants defeated the Chiefs in an ugly defensive battle last week. New York shutting down Kansas City’s high-powered offense was especially impressive. Can the defense put together another performance like this on Thanksgiving?

New York’s Keys to Victory

The Giants need to run the football on Thursday night. Washington was impressive in stopping the run earlier in the season, however, injuries to several key players in the front seven have made the Redskins vulnerable against the run. It’s imperative the Giants stick with the run because if Eli Manning throws the football 40 times he is going to get hit a lot.

Washington’s Keys to Victory

The Redskins suffered more devastating news on the injury front this week. Chris Thompson’s leg injury was arguably the biggest blow the team has suffered all season. Now, center Spencer Long and left guard Shawn Lauvao have been placed on season-ending injured reserve. Even with all of those injuries, the Redskins must try and run the football. New York is not good against the run and by attempting to run, it opens up passing lanes for Cousins and the passing game.

Defensively, the Redskins must get after Manning early. If they can do that, they will win the game.

Odds

Point Spread: Washington -7
Moneyline: New York +270, Washington -325
Over/Under: 41.5

Prediction

Anytime NFC East rivals get together, you can throw records out the window. That’s the case this week, too. Both of these teams enter Thursday’s game battered and bruised. However, both desperately want to beat the other.

Despite the injuries for both teams, expect to see a close — and sometimes sloppy — contest on Thursday. While Washington may have more overall injuries, the Redskins have the better quarterback and skill players. And on Thursday, that’s why they’ll defeat the Giants.

Pick: Washington 23, New York 16

Home/New York Giants