Skins vs. Giants: The Great, The Good, and the Not-So-Good

The Skins beat three consecutive NFC East opponents.  I checked my calendar, it's indeed 2012 and not 1991.

The Great

• Kyle Shanahan.  He wasn't on the field, but his impact loomed large.  Shanahan is a master at designing different plays that begin out of the same formation, and a master at disguising what's coming next.  The Giants' defense was kept off balance for much of the game. 
• Pierre Garcon.  Just a few weeks ago it seemed Garcon could miss the season. Tonight he had 8 receptions for 106 yards and a TD. 

Redskins vs. Giants: The Great, The Good, and the Not-So-Good

The Great
- Gaffney continues to emerge as perhaps the top Redskins receiver, this time hauling in 6 receptions for 86 yards (Gaffney leads the team with 842 receiving yards)
- London Fletcher continues his run as a tackle machine, notching 10 tackles and 2 assists along with a forced fumble

Redskins vs. Giants Recap: The Great, the Good, and the Not-So-Good

Great...
- Contributions by the Rookies Kerrigan (INT returned for a TD) and Neild (1.5 sacks and a forced-fumble)
- Fred Davis has 5 receptions for 105 yards
- Santana Moss has 6 receptions for 76 yards and catches everything thrown to him
- Sav Rocca punts 4 inside the 20, and the other 2 punts were around 50 yards

Good...
- Rex Grossman runs the offense well, but fumbles in the 4th quarter for no reason

Redskins vs. Giants: 2nd Quarter

Several observations...

1) Grossman has been much more accurate this quarter, nice.

2) The Skins are getting little penetration from the Nose Tackle position, allowing the Giants to rush up the middle and allowing Eli time to find open receivers.

3) I like Reed Doughty, but he's having a rough game, giving up several completions, and on a blitz he got absolutely stuffed by Brandon Jacobs, which allowed Eli time to complete a 30-yard pass.

4) Hightower's having a solid game, good rushing, good pass-catching, good job picking up the blitz.

5) Redskins offense is over half-way to 400 yards, but so is the Giants offense.

Redskins vs. Giants: 1st Quarter Observation

Bit of a slow start for the Skins, but really only one thing stands out to me: Rex Grossman is throwing high. A lot. Even his best completions -- one to Santana Moss and one to Fred Davis -- were both high and required nice leaping full extension catches. He's also missed several receivers, including a deep ball over the head of an open receiver early in the quarter, and a high throw from Rex caused Anthony Armstrong to take a big hit over the middle.

That said, Grossman is successfully identifying the open receivers, and if he settles down he should pile up the completions.

Redskins Offense Should Dominate Giants Defense

The Redskins have had their share of injury problems in recent years, but nothing like what the Giants' defense currently faces. Against the Redskins this Sunday, the Giants defense is missing key starters at all levels: secondary, linebackers, and defensive line.