Redskins vs. Giants: Latest Buzz Ahead of Thursday Night Matchup

After beginning their season with consecutive heart-breakers, the New York Giants (0-2) will begin their quest for a redemptive first win at home tonight facing the much-improved Washington Redskins (1-1). The contest is sure to be a typical NFC East-style competitive brawl.

Unlike some of the more high-flying shootouts the division has been known to produce, this contest should be a slug-fest in terms of traditional, fundamental football.  

For the second consecutive season, Big Blue is down two losses to kick off the year, while the Redskins have shown more than what many expected, particularly after the massive quarterback controversy during training camp.

Washington has stuck by fourth-year player Kirk Cousins, but it's been the sensational running duo of Alfred Morris and Matt Jones, coupled with the league-leading play of their offensive line, that has paved the way for their improvement.

The Giants, despite the continued terrific play of wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and their stout run defense, have been unable to close out what have otherwise been close contests in both of their losses.

In the race (or crawl) for what is suddenly a wide-open NFC East, both teams have a tremendous stake in this matchup, but it's unlikely that it will feature either party's sexiest ball.

Trench Warfare

Tonight's matchup between the Redskins' ground game and the Giants' stout run defense is the literal embodiment of an unstoppable force meeting an immovable object.

The New York defense, now bolstered with the return of linebacker Jon Beason, is currently third in the league in average yards per carry surrendered, giving up only 3.0 (via NFL.com).

The Washington run game, however, has been nothing short of dominant, and currently leads the league in rushing yards per game with an average of 171.5 yards produced on the ground in their last two contests (via NFL.com).

While they don't make for flashy contests, some of the best, hard-fought games hinge on the big guys up front. Each team's capacity to emerge victorious will start and end with their success in this crucial matchup. 

Key Player of the Game

Just a season ago, it was the Giants' Beckham Jr. who was preparing for his breakout rookie season. Now, we may already be witnessing the beginnings of what will be the same for Washington's Jones. 

Despite playing behind the talented Morris, Jones has already accumulated 151 yards on 25 carries (for an astounding 6.0 yards per carry) along with two scores (via NFL.com). 

His phenomenal performance a week ago (a 123-yard rushing, 23-yard receiving and two-touchdown outing) led to a mass fantasy football waiver wire stampede and sparked a number of analysts to sing his praises. 

Jones' success doesn't seem as if it will be a mere flash in the pan, however. 

According to SportingNews.com's Erik Galko, the third-round pick has displayed "the requisite decisiveness to gain speed in the open-field while staying linear up-field and keeping himself balanced and narrow to maximize running lanes."

Translation? Jones is faster than his 6'2", 231-pound frame should allow, and his size makes bringing him down a tremendous task. 

While Jones' offensive production is obviously a positive for the Redskins, his most vital function is not his ability to move the ball down the field and score. As NFL.com analyst Gregg Rosenthal points out, Jones' success means less pressure on Cousins.

Connor Orr of NFL.com reported that Cousins has been asked to throw fewer than 30 times per game, but has been exceptionally accurate when doing so—just behind Philip Rivers and Aaron Rodgers in that category.

In order for the Redskins to succeed, Cousins' total passing attempts per game needs to remain in the sub-30 zone, and in order for them to accomplish that, Jones, in addition to Morris, needs to keep running at a ferocious pace.

Injuries

New York will once again be without starting wide receiver Victor Cruz, who has been battling a calf injury, and cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who suffered a concussion on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons.

Rookie left tackle Ereck Flowers is also likely to be absent due to a lingering and re-aggravated ankle injury. Defensive end Robert Ayers is questionable with a hamstring injury. Flowers did not participate in practice this week, but Ayers saw limited action. 

The Giants will also be without:

TE Jerome Cunningham (Knee) 
DT Markus Kuhn (Knee) 
DE Owamagbe Odighizuwa (Foot)

Much like New York, Washington will be without starting wide receiver DeSean Jackson, who remains out with a strained hamstring, and cornerback Justin Rogers who remains sidelined by plantar fasciitis.

Linebacker Perry Riley is listed as questionable after suffering a calf injury on Sunday, as is offensive tackle Thomas Compton, also recovering from a calf injury. Riley did not participate in practice this week, while Compton was limited. 

The Redskins should be without no other players.

*Injury report on NFL.com

Prediction

When Cousins last started against the Giants (Week 4 of 2014), his almost comedic four-interception performance gave way to a 45-14 blowout (via USA Today Sports).

While it is far from likely that the score will be anywhere near the same, Washington, despite entering this contest with more momentum (and wins), will still walk away with the same net result—a loss. 

Both teams will be without one of their primary receivers, so tight ends Jordan Reed (Redskins) and Larry Donnell (Giants) should get plenty of looks.

Although the Redskins will control the clock with their explosive rushing offense, it will be New York and quarterback Eli Manning (still without an interception) who, with their backs against the wall, will finally deliver in the clutch moments.

The Giants know that, should they fall to 0-3, their chances of making the playoffs, even in a division which is largely up in the air, are very slim. 

In fact, according to SI.com' Don Banks, the 1998 Buffalo Bills are the most recent 0-3 team to make the playoffs since 1990, and only a total of 12 have made it in that span.

With the Dallas Cowboys now decimated by injuries and the Philadelphia Eagles off to a slow start, a win on prime time could be just the thing New York needs to kick-start its path to division title reclamation. 

Final Score 

Giants: 23, Redskins: 17