10-1 Giants Travel to Washington DC

Eli Manning New York Giants Super Bowl XLII MVP NFL 2008 Giants first place NFC East NFL 2008 Week 10

The New York Giants (10-1) and Washington (7-4) meet for second time this NFL 2008 season

Alot has happened, since the season's opening matchup between the Giants and Redskins.

In that first game of the NFL 2008 season (September 4 Thursday night) the Giants defense limited the Redskins offense to 209 total yards and only three of 13 third-down conversions.

Now, heading into NFL 2008 Week 13, both teams are in good shape. The Giants considered the class of the NFL this season are tied with the Tennessee Titans for the best record (10-1).

The Redskins are strong playoff contenders currently in a battle with the Dallas Cowboys (8-4), Carolina Panthers (8-3) and Atlanta Falcons (7-4) for the two Wildcard spots in the NFC. The Giants are focused and eager to maintain their lead in the NFL's winningest division, the NFC East, with a .670 winning percentage.

New York Giants (10-1) at Washington Redskins (7-4)

The New York Giants (10-1) look to win their seventh consecutive game as they face the Washington Redskins on the road at FedEx Field in Washington DC. The Giants are 4-1 on the road this NFL 2008 season and Washington is 3-3 at home.

The run game will play a big part in this week 13 contest.

The Giants rank first in NFL rushing and hope that Brandon Jacobs is able to suit up this week after sitting out NFL 2008 Week 12 with a knee injury. Jacobs leads the NFL in average-yards-per-carry (5.4).

The Redskins have a formidable running attack as well. Heading into week 13, the Redskins are third in NFL rushing. Leading the Redskins running attack is Clinton Portis. Portis leads the NFL in rushing so far this season with 1,206 yards.

On the defensive side of the ball, both teams have rush defenses to be proud of. The Giants rank 6th while the Redskins are 7th.

The Giants have played the Redskins every year since 1932 and lead the regular season series, 86-61-4. The postseason series is tied, 1-1. The Giants are 5-5-1 against the Redskins at FedEx Field in Washington DC. The Giants have faced the Redskins 152 times, making this their most frequently-contested rivalry.

NFL 2008 Kickoff Weekend: New York Giants 16 Washington Redskins 7

The two teams kicked off the 2008 NFL regular season on September 4, a 16-7 Giants victory at Giants Stadium.

The Giants offense sputtered for much of the game, but the defense was dominant. All of the scoring was in the first half. Eli Manning scored on a one yard run and 44-year-old kicker John Carney kicked field goals of 24, 25 and 47 yards. The Giants also benefitted from big performances by Brandon Jacobs (116 rushing yards) and Plaxico Burress (10 receptions for 133 yards). Manning completed 19 of 35 passes for 216 yards and an interception.

But it was the Giants defense that powered this victory. The Washington Redskins gained just 209 yards. The Redskins had 11 first downs, 84 rushing yards and possessed the ball for only 24:17. The Redskins went three-and-out on four of their seven possessions in the first three quarters. Washington's only score was a 12-yard Campbell touchdown pass to Santana Moss with 13 seconds remaining in the first half.

Despite holding their 16-7 halftime lead, the Giants were frustrated because they out-gained Washington, 241-51, and thought the advantage should have been larger.

Last week (NFL 2008 Week 12) Brandon Jacobs was sidelined against the Arizona Cardinals because of a knee injury suffered in the victory over Baltimore in Week 11. Plaxico Burress tried to play with a sore hamstring, but lasted only one series.

NFL 2008 Week 12: New York Giants 37 Arizona Cardinals 29

Despite the Brandon Jacobs absense due to a knee injury and Plaxico Burress inability to play after the first series with a sore hamstring, the Giants defeated the Arizona Cardinals, 37- 29 at University of Phoenix Stadium - the site of their Super Bowl XLII victory over the New England Patriots.

Last week's victory was the Giants sixth in a row and improved their record to 10-1. The Giants are now tied for the NFLs best record after the Tennessee Titans loss to the New York Jets.

The New York Giants hold a commanding three-game lead in the NFC East over both the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins and lead the Panthers and Buccaneers by two games for the best record in the NFC and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

Eli Manning threw three touchdown passes (Amani Toomer, Madison Hedgecock and Kevin Boss), Derrick Ward scored on a one-yard run and John Carney kicked three field goals.

Domenik Hixon had 269 total yards (180 on kickoff returns, 57 receiving, 21 on punt returns, plus an 11-yard rush). Hixon returned kickoffs for the first time this season and had returns of 83 and 68 yards in the second quarter. Hixon replaced the injured Plaxico Burress after the Giants first offensive series of the game and led the Giants in receiving with six catches for 57 yards. Ward started for Jacobs and rushed for 69 yards on 20 carries and caught four passes for 30 yards.

Eli Manning played completed 26 of 33 passes (career-best 79 percent completion rate) for 240 yards, 3 touchdowns and 0 interceptions.

The victory was the Giants' sixth in a row and improved their record to 10-1, which is tied for the NFL's best mark after the Tennessee Titans' loss on Sunday. More significantly, the Giants, with division games on tap the next three weeks, hold a three-game lead in the NFC East over Dallas and Washington and are two games ahead of Carolina and Tampa Bay in the race for the best record in the conference.

It was the Arizona Cardinals (7-4) first loss at home this NFL 2008 season.

NFL 2008 Week 12: Washington Redskins 20 Seattle Seahawks 17

The Washington Redskins handed the Seattle Seahawks a 20-17 loss last week.

The Seahawks opened the game with a 45-yard field goal by Olindo Mare to gain the early 3-0 lead in the first quarter.

After Washington answered in the second quarter with a one-yard rushing touchdown by Ladell Betts, Morris caught a four-yard pass from Hasselbeck as the Seahwaks re-took a 10-7 lead before halftime.

However, the Redskins began the second half with two consecutive scores by way of a touchdown and a field goal to take a 17-10 lead entering the fourth quarter. Hasselbeck then hit John Carlson for a 10-yard touchdown to tie the game at 17-17, but a Washington Redskins field goal with 9:19 left proved to be enough for the final outcome in the Redskins favor, 20-17.

NEW YORK GIANTS (10-1)

    The Giants have won 14 of their past 15 on road (including playoffs)

    Including playoff games, QB ELI MANNING has a 24-5 record (.828) in his past 29 starts.

    Manning aims for his 5th win in row vs. NFC East opponents (including playoffs). Manning has won 4 of the past 5 games vs. the Washington Redskins.

    RB BRANDON JACOBS has 316 yards (105.3 per game) & 5 TDs in his past 3 games. Has 246 yards (123.0 per game) in past 2 meetings. When Jacobs rushes for 100 or more yards the Giants are 8-1 (.889). When Jacobs has 10 or more rushing attempts (including playoffs), the Giants are 23-4 (.852). Brandon Jacobs (5.4) ranks 1st & RB DERRICK WARD (5.0) is 3rd in NFL in yards per carry among players with 600 or more rushing yards this NFL 2008 Season.

    WR PLAXICO BURRESS had 10 catches for 133 yards in NFL 2008 Week 1 against the Redskins.

    WR AMANI TOOMER has a TD in 4 of the past 6 games at Washington. Had TD last week.

    TE KEVIN BOSS has a TD catch in 4 of the past 5 games

    DE JUSTIN TUCK has 11.5 sacks in past 12 games (including Super Bowl XLII). When Tuck has at least one sack (including playoffs), the Giants are 12-3 (.800). Aims for 4th in row vs. Washington. with 0.5+ sacks. DE MATHIAS KIWANUKA has 5.0 sacks in past 5. Had 1.5 sacks in last game at Washington. Rookie CB TERRELL THOMAS had 1st career INT last week

WASHINGTON REDSKINS (7-4)

    QB JASON CAMPBELL leads the NFL with the lowest interception percentage (0.9 INT pct. - 3 INTs in 340 attempts). When Campbell has 100.0+ rating, the Redskins are 5-1 (.833). Has 4 TDs vs. 1 INT in career vs. the New York Giants

    RB CLINTON PORTIS leads NFL with 1,206 rush yards & aims to become 3rd Redskin to lead league in rushing, joining Hall of Famer CLIFF BATTLES (1937) & LARRY BROWN (1970). Has rushed for 210 yards (105.0 per game) & 1 TD in past 2 meetings. Had 143 yards last week. When Portis rushes for 100+ yards, his teams are 33-10 (.767)

    WR SANTANA MOSS has 8 TDs in 8 meetings. Has 3 career 3-TD games & 2 have been vs. the New York Giants. WR ANTWAAN RANDLE EL has thrown 2 passes in career vs. the New York Giants & both resulted in TD. Had TD catch last week. TE CHRIS COOLEY has TD in 3 of 4 home games vs. the New York Giants. Has 28 TDs since 2004, most among NFC TEs

    LB-DE JASON TAYLOR is active leader with 118.0 sacks. CB FRED SMOOT had INT in last meeting. S LA RON LANDRY & CB SHAWN SPRINGS had INT last week.

PREDICTION: Giants 24 Redskins 10

The Redskins are a very good team and the game will be close throughout the first three quarters. Expect the Giants to hold Clinton Portis under wraps and under 100 yards rushing. The Giants are simply too focused this time of year. No matter who is or is not in the lineup this Sunday, the Giants will figure out how to win and win with relative ease.

New York Giants vs Washington Redskins - NFL 2008 Week 13 Preview