Pre Game Thoughts, Redskins Finale
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As I mentioned earlier in the week, I’ll be attending the Giants @ Redskins Finale today. Although I wish the circumstances were a bit different from the Giants post-season perspective, I’m looking forward to the game. I’ll be with my wife and good friends who live in the D.C. area, we’ll be quite the foursome with matching Giants and Redskins paraphernalia on. Win or lose (Giants and Bears respectively), it will be a great time and a great way to wrap up the season by going to FedEx Field. Hopefully though, the Giants pull out a win.
Whether or not Chicago plays their starters, gives it 110%, and somehow beat the Packers in Green Bay… that’s another story all together. Of course only a scenario in which the Giants win and Packers lose will the Giants be eligible for the playoffs. As a fan, of course you want your team to move on into the post season. As an observer though of the way the Giants have finished their season, with the division title on the line in a home game in which they led by 3 touchdowns with minutes to play — dropping that opportunity has certainly been devastating and will certainly have a lasting effect when we think of the Giants 2010 season over time. What might have been?
Woulda coulda shoulda… yadda yadda yadda. The Giants will be lucky to make the post season after the conclusion of todays events in the NFC and even the most fanatical supporter of the Giants would admit they don’t deserve a spot in the top 6 this year after the way they’ve collapsed. Everyone in the NFL deals with injuries, the Giants have simply not finished what they started, a trend that has been highlighted every single year but 2007 under Tom Coughlin. I for one like Tom Coughlin, I like his professionalism, his fundamentals, his message — but this is a pattern that simply leads to bitterness and frustration at the end of every Giants season.
Should the Giants beat the Redskins today? Absolutely they should, on paper. The Giants have beaten the Redskins solidly the last 5 times they’ve met. Even with management, coaching, personnel, and scheme changes… the Giants handled the Skins in their last matchup in one of the most complete games the Giants have put together all season. They need to repeat that accomplishment here today and hope for a big upset in Green Bay to make this season worth all the effort.
What do we need to see from the Giants today?
1. Run and stop the run. Ryan Torrain has been every bit the smart, quick and physical RB the Redskins have needed this season to make their zone blocking scheme work for them. The Giants will need to maintain their gaps and make their tackles in the most fundamental way today. If they can do that, they’ll put the Redskins in a tight spot. Grossman hasn’t exactly been stellar since taking over for McNabb. Eli will need to manage this game on the ground as well, due to the fact that the Redskins have one of the worst defenses in the league.
2. No Turnovers. It’s that simple. Execute the game plan without giving the Skins excess opportunities and you’ve handled your business. That’s it!
See everyone after the game with photos and a recap from the field! LETS GO GIANTS!