Giants vs. Redskins: TV Info, Spread, Injury Updates, Game Time and More

Formerly known as one of the best divisions in the NFL, the NFC East takes center stage on Thursday Night Football when the Washington Redskins play host to the New York Giants.

The matchup seemed like a no-brainer before the season, so those in charge of making the schedule can be forgiven for not predicting that New York and Washington would share one victory apiece entering Thursday—wins that came against teams with a combined six wins last season. 

To be fair, this matchup is much more attractive than it was mere days ago thanks to strong performances from both teams Sunday. Really, it could not wind up any worse than Atlanta's 56-14 drubbing of Tampa Bay last week, right?

Quarterback play will take center stage and should in turn produce plenty of points in a competitive affair. It was a strange route to get there, but the matchup might work out after all.

Hurdle After Hurdle

Matt Rourke/Associated Press

To classify the 2014 season as a trying one would do Washington and new coach Jay Gruden a major disservice.

An opening-week loss to Houston stung, as Robert Griffin III seemed rather lost in the somewhat new offense and Ryan Fitzpatrick turned in a better performance on the other sideline. Then, of course, RG3 went down with an injury. 

Kirk Cousins is now the man under center, and he did just fine in a win over Jacksonville with 250 yards and two touchdowns. He did even better against Philadelphia Sunday, throwing for 427 yards and three touchdowns to one interception.

Through no fault of his own did the team lose that contest. As NFL.com's Jeff Darlington points out, Cousins did all that was necessary to win:

Things get much more difficult Thursday, though, as Cousins must overcome a defensive line led by Jason Pierre-Paul that has generated 36 quarterback hurries, 10 hits and eight sacks through three contests, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

It gets worse.

Really, it might be easier to name players who are not hurt for Washington. Last week against the Eagles, corner DeAngelo Hall, running back Alfred Morris, center Kory Lichtensteiger, right tackle Tyler Polumbus, defensive end Jason Hatcher, linebacker Brian Orakpo, guard Shawn Lauvao and safety Duke Ihenacho all left the game at one point due to injury.

Call it just another hurdle for Washington to overcome. So far, the team has responded well to copious amounts of adversity, but sooner or later it must translate to a significant win.

The Quiet Turnaround

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Something finally clicked for the Giants Sunday.

In a 30-17 win over Houston, a team that had surprisingly won its first two games, quarterback Eli Manning threw just seven incompletions on his way to 234 yards and two touchdowns.

Bleacher Report's Alessandro Miglio expanded on the suddenly sharp Manning:

Pat Thorman of PFF revealed quite a staggering disparity, too:

Manning finally seems comfortable with the new offense around him, which most understood would take some time to occur. It helps that he got 176 yards and a touchdown from running back Rashad Jennings, but Manning was more the catalyst for that number than the beneficiary.

Manning said, per ESPN.com's Dan Graziano:

"

That is the way it's supposed to work. We got the ball out quick. The receivers made catches. They had good runs after the catch. It was efficient. We mixed it up. I thought last week we made some steps to get better, and this week was even stronger.

"

Most were ready to write off the Giants after two weeks following losses to what seem to be two of the league's better teams (Detroit and Arizona), so perhaps the joke is on observers at the moment.

Washington is one week removed from getting banged up and losing its best corner, not to mention allowing 325 yards through the air. While the game is in Washington, perhaps Manning and his suddenly dynamic offense will turn the expectation of the outcome on its head.

When: Thursday, September 25, 8:25 p.m. ET

Where: FedEx Field, Landover, Maryland

Watch: CBS, NFL Network

Betting Info: (via Odds Shark)

• Over/Under: 45
• Spread: Washington (-6)

Team Injury Reports

Injury info will be updated once released, via ESPN.com.

Prediction

Bill Kostroun/Associated Press

Manning does his work from behind a porous offensive line, but it becomes a moot point when he gets the ball out quickly.

Thursday, he figures to do just that once again. He has a proven No. 1 wideout in Victor Cruz and an emerging star at tight end in Larry Donnell (18 receptions for 182 yards and a score so far). Now recall that Washington will be without its top corner and perhaps a host of others, and this one could get out of hand early.

Cousins has a vast array of weapons around him as well and will be at home, but as more tape on him continues to become available, it becomes more likely that teams can better limit his production. This is especially the case when one of the league's most unheralded rushes will be chasing him all night long.

Prediction: New York 27, Washington 24

Note: Stats courtesy of NFL.com. All advanced metrics via Pro Football Focus (subscription required).