Week 13: Giants at Redskins

What an awful game. What a sloppy, eyesore of a game. Just like the game on Monday night, this write up is gonna be very difficult to get through without suffering from a stroke. But I will do my best.

First Quarter:
The first score of the game was a field goal by "Noodle Leg," Lawrence Tynes. No surprise there.
During the Redskins' following possession, the immortal, school boy crush of Jon Gruden, Robert Griffin III, ran for a first down. On that same run, he fumbled the ball, but as luck would have it, the ball lands right into the hands of Josh Morgan, who then takes it to the house. It looked like a scene from The Replacements.
Score: Giants 3-Redskins 7
Giant Penalties: 2

"Hey, you stole that play from us! Ya know, that play where we do zany things but still score." 

Second Quarter:
The Giants started the second quarter in the middle of a lengthy drive. Bradshaw was running well and Eli took some shots downfield to Nicks and Cruz, both were unsuccessful though. However, the first play of the second quarter was an intentional grounding penalty on Eli Manning. This led to a second and twenty on the Redskins' forty yard line. They couldn't get a first down after that so they sent in Noodle Leg. Unfortunately, he missed the forty-three yard field goal wide left. This turned out to be a big deal.
The Redskins took over after the missed field goal and they ended up punting.
This time the Giants didn't settle on a field goal. They actually got a touchdown! Eli threw a short pass to the superhero, Black Unicorn.
The 'Skins respond with a field goal kicked by "Cobra" Kai Forbath.
The Giants ended the half with a field goal by good ol' Noodle.
Score: Giants 13-Redskins 10
Giant Penalties: 4

Third Quarter:
The Giants received the ball to start the half. They ended up punting.
During the Redskins' following possession, Chase Blackburn forced a fumble which was recovered by the Giants. During the fight for the loose ball, a kicking match broke out between Linval Joseph and Kory Lichtensteiger.
After the fumble recovery, the Giants were driving downfield. Eli connected to Cruz on a forty-nine yard pass. But, as usual, the offense can't finish the job and Tynes is sent in to kick another field goal.
Score: Giants 16-Redskins 10
Giant Penalties: 1 (but it was cancelled out)

Fourth Quarter:
The 'Skins were in the middle of their drive at the start of the fourth quarter. This is when the Redskins really started to run all over the Giants. Their drive ended with a RGIII touchdown pass to Pierre Garcon.
On the ensuing kickoff, David Wilson returned the ball to the fifty yard line. But not so fast, Mr. Wilson, because there was a holding penalty that brought the Giants back to the eight yard line. This resulted in a three and out.
The Giants got another shot of regaining the lead after the 'Skins punted. It looked promising for a brief moment, but when Eli connected with Bennett to convert the first down on third and ten, it was called back because of a holding penalty. They couldn't convert on third and twenty and had to punt.
The Giants defense couldn't stop the Redskins' rushing attack at the end of the game which allowed them to run out the clock.
Final: Giants 16-Redskins 17
Giants Penalties: 2

"These penalties are a first-class ticket to nowhere!"

A lot went wrong for the Giants. Before this game, they averaged just over four penalties a game. Monday night, they were penalized nine times. Nine times? Niiiine times.

Eli was on point for most of the game. He missed some deep receivers, but it's hard to score when your team keeps on taking yards away from you.

Cruz and Bennett had solid games. Whereas Nicks played well but still looks banged up a bit. This will be the case for most of the season.

The Giants' offense kept stalling on Monday night and they had to settle on field goals. And if your team has to settle on field goals, your kicker damn well better make them all. I'm not putting the game on Tynes and I know he's made a ton of kicks, but that was a bad time to miss.

The defense could not stop the Redskins' rushing attack. It seems that the "pistol" offense of the 'Skins hurt the Giants more than the pistol in Plax's sweatpants. The Giants just couldn't stop the option running plays. They can put a lid on MVP Aaron Rodgers, but they would lose easily to Air Force or Navy.

The new Giants' defense.

The Giants tried to use the NASCAR d-line package to contain RG3, but it was more like a Hot Wheels package. Plus, on the third and one play that would seal the win for the 'Skins, I saw Justin Tuck with the pit crew on the sidelines.

RG3 didn't throw too many passes, but his passing offense was successful due to the Giants' defense being out of position because of the run.

So what have I learned?

The Giants couldn't have picked a worse game to crap themselves. They only have a one game lead in the NFC East and will probably not hold any tie breakers. They are now in the gauntlet of their schedule and they have very little wiggle room.

The penalties were an aberration. I think most of those penalties were due to the insane crowd noise caused by the Redskins' fans who are actually excited for the first time in a decade. It would be a tough game for any visiting team.

Even with how terrible the Giants played on Monday, they were still a missed field goal and a miracle play away from winning. I don't know if that says more about the Redskins or the Giants though.

Coach Shanahan, taking his team name literally.

Coach Shanahan, who should consider the name Redskins offensive, has designed a great scheme for RG3. Having said that, RG3 is a dynamic player who will most likely be the bane of my existence for the next ten to twelve years (providing he stays healthy and doesn't regress).

Jon Gruden is absolutely in love with Robert Griffin III. I'm talking Lloyd Dobler blasting Peter Gabriel outside RG3's house in love. Shakespeare couldn't find the words of admiration and obsession that Gruden was spilling on Monday night in the booth. 

This was found in Gruden's binder on the MNF bus.