Giants-Redskins Preview

VIDEO PLAYLIST

• Manning On Giants' Win Amid Burress Distraction

SCOUTING REPORT

Redskins must protect Campbell to have a shot at upsetThis is a classic NFC East showdown between two of the oldest franchises in the NFL that not only know each other well, but also don't really like each other. The Giants are playing as well as any team in the league and appear to be coasting into the playoffs, while the Redskins are fighting for their playoff lives. Expect the Redskins to throw everything they have at New York as they hope to remain in the playoff picture.

· Full Scouting Report

Matchup
	W-L	PF	PA	HOME	ROAD	DIV	CONF
NYG	12-4	427	294	7-1	5-3	4-2	9-3
WAS	8-8	265	296	4-4	4-4	3-3	7-5
· Complete Standings

Individual Leaders

NY Giants Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Mannin... 62.3 4021 27 14 Carr 63.6 225 1 0

Washington Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Campbe... 64.5 3618 20 15 Collin... 52.2 144 0 0

NY Giants Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Jacobs 224 835 3.7 5 Bradsh... 163 778 4.8 7

Washington Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Portis 124 494 4.0 1 Campbe... 46 236 5.1 1

NY Giants Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Smith 107 1220 11.4 7 Mannin... 57 822 14.4 5

Washington Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Moss 70 902 12.9 3 Randle... 50 530 10.6 0

Full Player Stats: NY Giants | Washington

TEAM AVERAGES & NFL RANKS
TEAM OFFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Total Yards	NYG	356.0
	WAS	320.0
Yards Passing	NYG	198.6
	WAS	189.1
Yards Rushing	NYG	157.4
	WAS	130.9
TEAM DEFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Yards Allowed	NYG	292.0
	WAS	288.8
Pass Yds Allowed	NYG	196.2
	WAS	193.4
Rush Yds Allowed	NYG	95.8
	WAS	95.4

HEAD TO HEAD MATCHUPS (SINCE 2001)
NY Giants leads 11-5
Sep 4, 2008	NYG 16, @WAS 7
Dec 16, 2007	NYG 10, @WAS 22
Sep 23, 2007	NYG 24, WAS 17
Dec 30, 2006	NYG 34, WAS 28
Oct 8, 2006	NYG 19, @WAS 3
Dec 24, 2005	NYG 20, WAS 35
Oct 30, 2005	NYG 36, @WAS 0
Dec 5, 2004	NYG 7, WAS 31
Sep 19, 2004	NYG 20, @WAS 14
Dec 7, 2003	NYG 7, @WAS 20
Sep 21, 2003	NYG 24, WAS 21
Dec 8, 2002	NYG 27, WAS 21
Nov 17, 2002	NYG 19, @WAS 17
Oct 28, 2001	NYG 21, WAS 35
Oct 7, 2001	NYG 23, @WAS 9

The New York Giants' last five games were all against teams with winning records, but those opponents did nothing to slow down the defending Super Bowl champions.

The Giants will try to extend their winning streak to seven games Sunday in what should be an emotional environment when they visit the NFC East rival Washington Redskins, who will induct the late Sean Taylor into their Ring of Fame in a pregame ceremony on the one-year anniversary of his death.

New York (10-1) owns the best record in the NFC, thanks in part to an offense that has produced a league-high 329 points -- including 138 in the first four games of November. After a win over San Francisco on Oct. 19, the Giants' last five victories have all come against playoff contenders.

"Well, we have known that we have had a tough schedule," quarterback Eli Manning said. "We knew that five weeks ago -- that it was going to be a tough road ahead of us and we were going to be playing a lot of good teams. And it is going to continue."

While the Giants have opened up some distance on the rest of the NFC East, Washington (7-4) is in the mix with a number of teams for a possible wild-card berth. The playoffs, though, will only be one incentive for the Redskins this Sunday.

Taylor was shot in his Florida home last Nov. 26 and tragically died a day later, but Washington used the inspiration of his memory to finish 2007 on a four-game winning streak and gain a playoff berth. He will become the 43rd person to be inducted in the Redskins' Ring of Fame.

"I think this is a great organization and I think Sean did a lot for this organization and I think Mr. Snyder (owner Dan Snyder) is doing the right thing in honoring Sean for everything that Sean brought to this organization and the effect that he has had around the world," Washington running back Clinton Portis said.

After New York faced Arizona's prolific passing offense last Sunday in a 37-29 victory, stopping Portis will be critical to its hopes this week. Portis leads the league with 1,206 yards rushing, including a 143-yard effort in last week's 20-17 win at Seattle.

"He is having a great year obviously," Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce said. "Whatever they ask him to do, blocking, catching the ball out of the backfield, running the ball, he is doing everything for them, an MVP-type season for him and we can't let him have a MVP performance on Sunday."

Slowing down the Giants' vaunted running game will be just as important for Washington. New York leads the league with 164.9 rushing yards per game, although running back Brandon Jacobs missed last week with a knee injury.

Jacobs returned to practice Thursday, although his status remains uncertain. Wide receiver Plaxico Burress, however, will not play due to a hamstring injury he aggravated in the opening series of last week's game.

Burress was ruled out Friday and then was accidentally shot in the right thigh later that night. The Giants said he was released from the hospital early Saturday.

Washington's injuries may be more critical since they are on the defensive side of the ball, and will affect how well the Redskins can contend with New York's ground game. Linebacker London Fletcher, who has started 130 straight games, is battling foot injuries while defensive end Andre Carter (plantar fasciitis) and defensive tackles Kedric Golston (bone spurs) and Cornelius Griffin (shoulder) also may miss this game. Linebacker Marcus Washington is already sidelined with a sprained ankle.

Redskins first-year coach Jim Zorn indicated that his club may be forced to use more nickel packages due to the lack of depth in its front seven, a less than ideal option against the powerful Giants.

"It doesn't change what we do," Manning said. "If they want to go nickel, that is fine. They still have to line up; we still have to line up across from them. It doesn't matter -- it doesn't really change anything for us."

New York began its title defense with a 16-7 win over Washington on Sept. 4 in the NFL season opener, as neither team scored in the second half. Portis had a per-carry average of 3.7 yards -- his second-lowest of the season.

"We really didn't do a lot," Portis said. "It was a new offense, the first game of the season, they came out, and we got behind early. We kind of got away from the running game."

This is the first of three straight games against NFC East foes for the Giants, who are 3-0 versus the division and intent on moving closer to gaining the conference's No. 1 seed after being forced to go on the road for last season's Super Bowl run.

"We realize what our goals are and we realize that just one of them is making the playoffs," defensive end Justin Tuck said. "I don't think guys are going to start thinking they are better than what they are because we know what we had to go through last year as far as the playoff run and it isn't going to be any different this year. Hopefully we get a lot of home games instead of having to travel."

Wickersham: The future of the NFL

Seth Wickersham looks at the labor dispute that is hanging over the NFL and what the future may hold for the league.

Owners talk labor situation; status quo reigns

NFL owners have met for several hours to discuss the labor situation, although it appears they are no closer to reaching an agreement with the players' union for a new collective bargaining agreement.

Beginning of end: Giants Stadium demolition on

The demolition of Giants Stadium got started Thursday when a giant metal claw attached to a crane started taking bites out of the cement helix at one of the four gates around the 34-year-old facility.

Giants DE Umenyiora threatens to quit football

New York Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora threatened to quit football if he doesn't get his starting job back in an interview on New York radio station WFAN.

Traffic charges against Plaxico Burress dismissed

Four Broward County traffic tickets have been dismissed against former New York Giants football player Plaxico Burress , who still faces another case in which he's accused of cursing several times at a sheriff's deputy, the athlete's attorney said this morning.

NFL Putting Off Plaxico Punishment

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said today there is no timetable for making a decision on league disciplinary action for Plaxico Burress.

GIANTS: Updated: Boldin hires Eli's agent

KTAR Radio in Arizona reports that Cardinals WR Anquan Boldin has hired Tom Condon to be his agent.

Moving the Chains: Giants' Umenyiora takes aim at Eagles

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. A special buzz is building around the 2009 football season in Philadelphia, and a lot of it has to do with the rivalry between the Eagles and Giants.

Canty happy to be part of 'tremendous defense' in New York

CHAREAN WILLIAMS The movers were at Chris Canty's new home last week. He is starting to feel at home in the New York Giants' locker room, too.Canty left the Dallas Cowboys almost three months ago, the Giants' six-year, $42 million offer too rich for Dallas to beat.

Thomas's Return 'On Schedule'

Randy Thomas is sitting out OTA practices this month after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery recently, according to head coach Jim Zorn.

Redskins Take First Look at Line After Jansen

"I feel like I have the ability to be a starter," said Stephon Heyer, center, shown here taking on Scott Burley in drills during yesterday's workout as offensive line coach Joe Bugel looks on.

Kelly Full-Go At Practice

Malcolm Kelly pulled in a pass on a slant pattern, adjusting his body mid-route because the throw was slightly behind him.

Back In Action

The Redskins resumed OTAs on Monday, with more than 75 veterans and rookies returning to the practice fields at Redskins Park.

Heyer Aims To Be Worthy Heir

Late yesterday morning, Stephon Heyer performed the duties offensive linemen perform at this time of year.