Washington Redskins: 5 Keys to Beating the New York Giants in NFL's Opening Week

A fresh start for the Washington Redskins is a must against a New York Giants team that has won eight of the last nine contests between them.

Luckily for Redskins' fans, Week 1 of the NFL season provides their team with a momentum-building platform, if nothing else.

So what has to be done to end the Giants' six-game winning streak over the Redskins? Quite a bit, actually. But it all has to start from somewhere:

Beat the Pass-Rush

The Giants lost some contributors on their defensive line this summer, but they have more than enough depth to compensate for that.

A blitz-happy defense against an improved—but vulnerable—Redskins' offensive line could make John Beck's debut a rocky one.

(Yes, I still believe Beck will be the Opening Day starter as of Sept. 2 at 6 a.m.)

Screens and slants should be expected early and often to beat the pressure and build Beck's confidence. He's going to need it.

Defensive Line Must Pressure Eli Manning

While Eli Manning certainly isn't Peyton Manning, he never gets enough credit for his ability to make pre-snap reads.

Although he is prone to error, he certainly takes proper precautions to avoid them. Despite his criticism, Manning is a top 10 quarterback in the league against blitzes.

So what does this mean? It means that consistent pressure has to come from the men up front. If Barry Cofield, Stephen Bowen and Adam Carriker continue their preseason momentum, it could be a long day for the Giants' offense.

Tackle Brandon Jacobs

The Redskins will not soon forget Brandon Jacobs' 103-yard outburst on just eight carries in their Week 13 matchup last season. Jacobs went on a murderous rampage, and shed tackles left and right en route to a two-touchdown performance.

However, it was a much different front seven that Jacobs faced last year, but that shouldn't give the Redskins too much comfort. Jacobs' has been rejuvenated, and poses a threat to anyone lining up across from him.

Early big gains on the ground could have a quicksand effect on a team that could do nothing to stop him a season ago.

Control the Clock

The Redskins acquired Tim Hightower, Roy Helu, Jr. and Chris Chester for a reason, so why not showcase their new toys?

The Giants love to make life easier for Eli Manning as much as possible, and often rely heavily on their ground game against the Redskins. While they were held in check in their Week 17 meeting last year, they still ran the ball 32 times, and milked as much of the clock as they could afford to.

To counter this, patience must be exhibited by the Redskins' offense, and sustained drives are a must. The Giants' have a ferocious defense, and keeping them on the field would take some of the wind out of their sails.

Take Advantage of the New York Giants' Weakened Secondary

Injuries have plagued the Giants all throughout the preseason. Now, the Redskins have a chance to rub salt in their wounds.

Losing Terrell Thomas and first-round pick Prince Amukamara will prove costly if the Redskins succeed in spreading the ball around.

After the run game is established, play-action and mid-range passes should be very effective against a decimated corps of cornerbacks.