New York Giants vs. Washington Redskins: Full Report Card Grades for New York

Ever since Josh Norman signed a lucrative free-agent deal with the Washington Redskins this offseason, all eyes have been on the first matchup against the New York Giants. 

Although Norman and Odell Beckham Jr. did not replicate last year's fiasco after a full offseason of trash talking, the result remained the same as an undisciplined (11 penalties) and underwhelming Giants team dropped their first game of the year by the score of 29-27. 

For Big Blue, both the offense and the defense dominated early on. The score was just 14-6 after the first quarter, but the Giants carved up the Redskins defense while Kirk Cousins and company had a tough time gaining ground against the $200 million defense. 

But it all went downhill from there. 

Eli Manning had arguably his worst game since Ben McAdoo made his way to the Big Apple, as careless throws and poor decisions were an integral part of the loss. The offensive play-calling was odd at times, and untimely penalties and fumbles resulted in a rough afternoon at MetLife Stadium. 

The defense once again kept the offense in the game. But there was a bit of 2015 on display as the Giants let up big plays in key situations. In addition, costly flags set the team back on more than one occasion. 

At 2-1, the Giants still have a ton of positives going for them. But the team's inability to capture its second divisional win—despite it being only Week 3—may come back to haunt it. 

How did each position grade out this week? Let's take a look!

Quarterback

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Eli Manning has often received criticism throughout the course of his career after uneven performances, with a majority of it being unwarranted. 

On Sunday, the criticism is justified. 

Despite posting some gaudy numbers (25-of-38 with 350 passing yards and a touchdown), it was Manning's mental game that held his team back, a rare sight for the 13-year veteran. 

Oftentimes, Manning made baffling decisions and even worse throws. On one play, the signal-caller ignored a wide-open Beckham Jr. down the sideline, instead opting to give the ball to Sterling Shepard on a crossing route for a small gain. In addition, Manning underthrew balls to both Beckham and Shane Vereen, both of which could have—and probably should have—resulted in two interceptions. 

But after an afternoon full of gaffes, Manning had a chance to redeem himself in a situation that he's all but mastered: the two-minute drill. 

Instead, a penalty on Beckham Jr. halted their momentum, with Manning throwing his second pick of the game a couple of plays later. 

If the Giants want to succeed, they need an exceptional Manning. They didn't get that on Sunday, so the outcome should be expected. 

Grade: C+

Running Backs

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With Rashad Jennings out due to injury, Ben McAdoo took a page out of his old boss Tom Coughlin's playbook and went with a running back-by-committee approach.

Vereen was pegged as the starter, and his afternoon started off strong. He accumulated 67 yards on 11 carries and also scored a touchdown, but his second fumble in two weeks put him on the bench for a majority of the second half.

Orleans Darkwa was the second man up, and the third-year man out of Tulane University impressed with extended playing time. Hitting the hole hard, he racked up 53 yards on 10 carries and, like Vereen, found the end zone.

Typically on special teams, Bobby Rainey also received some time in the backfield on Sunday. Although he didn't receive a carry, the running back did factor into the passing game, as he caught a screen pass for 24 yards while also getting a target for a fade pass into the end zone as well.

Outside of the fumble by Vereen, the trio did a strong job in the running game, one of the only positives for the Giants offense.

Grade: B

Wide Receivers and Tight Ends

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Although all attention was on the aforementioned Beckham Jr./Norman matchup (and rightfully so), it was the unit as a whole that jumped off of the television screen. 

Lined up mostly against Norman, Beckham had a monster game, hauling in seven catches (on 11 targets) for 121 yards, with his longest going for 26. Although Manning looked away from his star receiver during the first half, Beckham demanded the ball, and his fiery attitude helped ignite the offense in the second half. 

Shepard one again looked like an absolute draft steal. Working against a banged-up secondary, the rookie had 73 receiving yards on five catches and also recorded his second career touchdown. Shepard's toughness was also on display as he flexed his muscles and smiled in the face of Norman after taking a heavy hit from the cornerback. 

Although Victor Cruz wasn't used as much as he has been in recent weeks (three catches, 70 yards), he still came up clutch for the Giants. With the offense facing a 3rd-and-14 in their final drive, Manning connected with the veteran for a first down, giving the fanbase some hope before the eventual interception. 

Going along with the theme this season, the tight ends didn't make much of an impact. Larry Donnell and Will Tye combined for six catches and 25 yards. 

But with the way the Giants' vertical threats have been playing, it's obvious that the team will be a force through the air all year long. 

Grade: A

Offensive Line

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After it had provided inconsistent efforts in the first two weeks of the season, plenty of eyes were going to be on the offensive line.

When it came to the running game, the unit had a strong evening. Both John Jerry and Justin Pugh continued their string of solid performances, as the guard duo opened holes up the middle for both Vereen and Darkwa. In addition, Bobby Hart—who started for the injured Marshall Newhouse at right tackle—had a strong first start to his career.

The passing game, however, showed signs of struggle. The Redskins defensive front was in Manning's face all game long and sacked him twice.

Discipline was also an issue. Left tackle Ereck Flowers committed a facemask penalty, while Weston Richburg collected two personal fouls and was ejected.

Did the offensive line perform better than it did against the New Orleans Saints? Yes. But there is still a lot of work to be done before calling the starters a strong front.

Grade: C+

Defensive Line

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Like the wide receiving core, the defensive line was a huge positive for the third consecutive week. Although many complained about their collective contracts, the front four are slowly becoming one of the top units at their position. 

Damon Harrison and Johnathan Hankins were unmovable in the interior. Harrison paced the entire team with 10 tackles (nine solo, one assisted) and was constantly in the face of Redskins running back Matt Jones. Hankins demanded double teams and also helped stuff the run game. 

Although Olivier Vernon and Jason Pierre-Paul had yet to record sacks entering the game, the defensive ends recorded one apiece against the Redskins. What also goes unnoticed is their impact in the run game, as Vernon and Pierre-Paul disrupt the edge, allowing linebackers and safeties to get to the ball-carrier with ease. 

If it wasn't for Vernon's costly roughing-the-passer penalty, the defensive line would have graded out perfect in Week 3. Outside of that blip, the foursome dominated once again. 

Grade: A-

Linebackers

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As it has been in seasons past, the linebacking corps have been a revolving door. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo had Keenan Robinson, Jonathan Casillas, Kelvin Sheppard and Devon Kennard, and the group failed to make an impact as a whole.

Robinson stood out among the rest, as the former Redskin looked extra motivated. He led all linebackers with six tackles and was constantly in the backfield, doing his best to thwart the rushing attack. But Robinson didn't stop there, as he held his own in pass coverage as well.

While Casillas has been a constant standout performer thus far, Sunday was far from his best game. The defensive captain missed three important tackles (Jae Crowder's punt return, Crowder's touchdown and Jordan Reed's third-down conversion) and struggled in coverage.

After two games of near non-existence, Kennard made more of an impact against the Redskins. The third-year 'backer could be seen wherever the ball was and had a strong impact in the run game. For the second straight week, Sheppard played a limited number of snaps, as he was featured predominantly in running situations.

The linebackers are close, but consistency still needs to be there. If they can constantly play at the level that they're capable of, the position could be a strength for the first time in years.

Grade: B-

Defensive Backs

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Once considered the deepest position on the team, the defensive backs caught the injury bug this week. After third-round pick Darian Thompson was ruled out on Thursday, both Eli Apple and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie joined the safety on the sidelines throughout the game. 

Janoris Jenkins once again had a strong afternoon. The former St. Louis Ram didn't allow any deep balls while also collecting four tackles. Veteran Leon Hall was also impressive, as he limited receivers who matched up against him in the slot. Trevin Wade received a majority of snaps on the outside but struggled against both Jae Crowder and Pierre Garcon. Both Apple and Rodgers-Cromartie were missed, as the cornerbacks who were on the field struggled in the run game. 

With Thompson out, neither Landon Collins nor Nat Berhe got much of a breather on Sunday, as they were out there for most of the game. Collins continues to impress in his second NFL season, as the safety from Alabama was a force in the run game while showing continued improvement in coverage. Berhe lived up to his nickname of "Heat-Seeking Missile," as he hit running back Matt Jones so hard that he needed to be evaluated for a concussion. 

Despite allowing 296 yards and two touchdowns through the air, the defensive backfield continues to prove to be a strength. If they can stay healthy and perform to their potential, the defensive backs will be a driving force behind the Giants' success. 

Grade: B-

Special Teams

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It was a rough afternoon for the Tom Quinn-led special teams.

Both Josh Brown and Brad Wing had problems kicking the ball, resulting in the Redskins getting possession in Giants territory on two different occasions. Missed tackles were on the forefront, as Crowder avoided the Giants like the plague en route to a 50-yard punt return.

The punt return team also underwhelmed, as the Redskins successfully attempted a fake punt.

Even Romeo Okwara blocking a Tress Way punt couldn't save this unit. After many thought the undrafted free agent helped the offense get into Redskins territory with the block, former practice squad player Andrew Adams committed a boneheaded unnecessary roughness penalty.

The lone bright spot from the unit came in the first quarter, as special teams ace Dwayne Harris recovered a muffed punt, resulting in Vereen's touchdown.

Grade: C-