Redskins vs. Giants: Why G-Men Are Lock to Cover in NFC East Showdown

Coming off an impressive 26-3 rematch win over the San Francisco 49ers, the New York Giants head into NFC East play with a ton of momentum towards making their way back to the playoffs.

Their opponent and rival, the Washington Redskins, won't make it easy. But with the current spread and mitigating factors on both sides of the ball for the two teams, the Giants should be one of the teams you highlight on the old newspaper before laying the points.

The 2011 season featured the Giants getting beat by the 'Skins twice and by favorable margins at that. The 'Skins spoiled the Giants' season opener and then managed to make things interesting at the end of the season by winning in Week 15.

23-10 losers last time Washington came to town, the Giants have momentum and a shot at revenge. It won't be easy, however, as Robert Griffin III may have the best chance of any NFL quarterback to exploit this vaunted pass defense and its aggressive upfield pass rush.

Here's a complete guide to why you should lay the points on the G-Men this weekend, complete with analysis and where you can find the game on Sunday.

When: Sunday, October 21 at 1:00 p.m. ET

Where: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ

Watch: FOX

Live Streaming: NFL Game Pass

Spread: Giants -6 (via Bovada)

Revenge Factor

After 28-14 and 23-10 losses last season, New York had to be wondering why they continued to lose to their division rival. Sexy Rexy Grossman was under center, but it was the offense that suffered a letdown in those two ballgames.

Manning threw three interceptions in Week 15 of 2011, and at the time, it was thought to be a crushing blow to the team's playoff hopes. But they managed to beat Dallas in the last week of the season, and the rest is history.

Plastered on the lockers of the players returning from last year's squad should be those two scores. Although their playoff seeding helped them gain access to the Super Bowl, you can't tell me the Giants wouldn't have rather been 11-5 instead of 9-7.

Expect the revenge level to be high in the Meadowlands.

Injury News

Washington's biggest downfield threat, Pierre Garcon, is nursing a foot injury and, according to the Redskins, is doubtful for the contest:

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#Redskins WR Pierre Garçon did not practice again today, is listed as doubtful for Sunday vs. #Giants.

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"— Redskins (@Redskins) October 19, 2012"

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Not having him to stretch the field and keep pressure off Alfred Morris and the running game will be a big factor for the Giants defense.

Additionally, the G-Men expect Hakeem Nicks to be closer to 100 percent. Against San Francisco, Nicks was noticeably uncomfortable toward the end of his routes, as the Giants best possession receiver finished with three catches for 44 yards.

With a full week of practice and a home game, Nicks should help put pressure on a Washington defense that's given up 328 yards per game through the air. Throw in Victor Cruz and Ahmad Bradshaw flanking Eli Manning's offense, and the Giants could potentially put up 45-plus points against this defense.

Scout Team = Cam Newton

In what has to be the closest facsimile to facing RG3, the Giants held Cam Newton to six yards rushing in a 36-7 romp over the Carolina Panthers in Week 3.

Although they haven't had a replacement player to simulate his abilities in practice, this defense can draw from its success against Newton and Minnesota's failures in Week 6 against the 'Skins, when RG3 ran wild in an upset win.

For all the talk about the fierce pass rush, the defensive ends will not be able to speed rush straight upfield if there isn't any pressure up the middle. Discipline in pass-rushing lanes will be key to keeping the rookie phenom bottled up, but the Giants certainly have the tools to do so.

Conclusion

As a six-point favorite at home, the Giants won't have an easy task ahead of them in this rivalry game. While spreads are often thrown out the window in these type of games, there's plenty of evidence to suggest the Giants have a distinct advantage that's worth more than a touchdown.

The Giants haven't hit their stride just yet, but building on the momentum from the 49ers victory, this New York team has a chance to really take hold of the NFC East with a win.