Washington Redskins: 7 Reasons the 'Skins Will Beat the New York Giants

The Washington Redskins have the chance to make a major statement of their intent this season by defeating division rivals the New York Giants on Sunday.

Mike Shanahan and Bruce Allen spent this strike-interrupted offseason retooling an aging roster. They have added players more suited to the offensive and defensive schemes.

The new players have impressed in preseason action, but now the Redskins must show that the improvements are genuine.

Defeating the Giants would be a huge step in the right direction. The Redskins have lost eight out of the last nine meetings with the New Yorkers.

The lopsided contests have been characterised by the Redskins receiving a mauling on both sides of the ball.

Victory on Sunday would go a long way in convincing people that the Redskins are ready to compete in the second year under Shanahan.

Here are seven reasons why the Redskins will beat the Giants.

7. Barry Cofield

One of the bigger coups for the Redskins this offseason came when they moved to secure hulking former Giants defensive tackle Barry Cofield.

By inserting Cofield at nose tackle, the Redskins immediately upgraded their 3-4 scheme. The 6'4" 306-pounder will be crucial in subduing the Giants' ground attack.

The G-Men have typically trampled all over the Redskins defense in recent seasons. The sight of Washington defenders bouncing off bruising tailback Brandon Jacobs has become all too familiar.

Last season, both Jacobs and the speedy Ahmad Bradshaw brushed aside feeble Redskins tackling to rack up big yards.

The presence of Cofield will help to rectify this long standing Redskins failing. The sixth-year pro is one of the toughest run defenders in the league.

His strength, aggression and quick penetration will contribute to more Giants running plays being disrupted in the backfield.

Cofield is excellent at holding the point of attack and will create plenty of lanes for the Redskins linebackers to attack downhill and swarm to the ball carrier.

6. Triple Threat at Running Back

In addition to stopping the run, the Redskins must generate more yards on the ground themselves. The key to their efforts will be entering the game with a trio of explosive options in the backfield.

Trade acquisition Tim Hightower has impressed during preseason and has the ability to stretch the field, something the Redskins rushing attack has seldom been able to do against the Giants.

Fourth-round draftee Roy Helu has also shown plenty of promise. He possesses the sharp cutback instincts to thrive in Shanahan's zone-based running game.

The return from injury of last year's starter Ryan Torain is also a timely boost. Torain has the physical, slashing style of running which could prove crucial in the fourth quarter.

Controlling the ball on the ground will enable the Redskins to keep the fearsome New York pass-rush at bay, and provide quarterback Rex Grossman with manageable down and distance situations.

Having three capable runners only increases the Redskins' chances for victory.

5. Ball-Hawks in the Secondary

Adding safety O.J. Atogwe and cornerback Josh Wilson to a secondary already containing DeAngelo Hall, gives the Redskins a trio of dangerous ball-hawks who could thrive against Eli Manning.

The Giants trigger-man has been worryingly turnover-happy throughout his career, and Atogwe, Hall and Wilson will be ready to pounce on any errant throws this Sunday.

Big Blue possess a talented stable of young receivers, but lapses in concentration resulting in drops and batted balls have been an issue.

The Redskins' zone schemes will yield a couple of crucial interceptions during the game.

4. Exposing a Depleted Giants Secondary

When Terrell Thomas was lost for the season, an already questionable Giants secondary immediately became a much greater cause for concern.

The Redskins have the opportunity to expose New York's makeshift unit. Both Santana Moss and Anthony Armstrong have the big play capability to produce some big gains against the Giants.

The Giants are also without top draft choice Prince Amukamara and desperately need their safeties to pick up the slack.

Some smart play-calling by Kyle Shanahan could exploit the holes in the Giants' Cover-2 concepts and result in some huge plays.

The Redskins have struggled to make big, impact plays on either side of the ball against the Giants. They have a great opportunity to do just that on Sunday.

3. Exploiting Inexperience at Middle Linebacker

Talented but temperamental tight end Fred Davis should have a productive day, matched up against the Giants weak linebacking corps.

After Jonathan Goff became the latest Big Blue defender to suffer a season-ending injury, sixth-round rookie Greg Jones has been thrust into the starting lineup.

Jones has shown great potential in preseason, but the Redskins will be able to take advantage of his inexperience and manufacture some big play opportunities for Davis.

Kyle Shanahan is an expert in creating plays designed to get the tight end out in space, deep down the field.  Davis will get plenty of opportunities against a Giants defense with a long-standing weakness at linebacker, particularly in coverage.

2. The Loss of Steve Smith

The absence of crafty slot receiver Steve Smith will be a huge boost to the Redskins' third-down defense.  Smith's move to division rivals the Philadelphia Eagles, could prove a bitter blow for the Giants.

The sure-handed flanker was Eli Manning's favourite target on clutch third downs. Smith was a reliable outlet who always kept the chains moving.

If the Redskins' improved run-defense succeeds in putting Big Blue in long yardage situations, the loss of Smith should prove decisive.

Without Smith to worry about, the Redskins can rotate their coverage on third downs into a three-deep shell.  This will ensure that skillful burners Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham don't get behind the Redskins defense.

Packing the underneath zones with combinations of defensive backs and linebackers will force Eli Manning to focus on short gains. This will leave him at the mercy of Washington's nickel pass-rushers.

1. Overload Pressures Will Be Too Much for Giants' Blocking Schemes

Jim Haslett's propensity for attacking an offense with multiple blitzes from various angles, will pay dividends against a new-look and under-manned Giants protection scheme.

The New Yorkers parted ways with incumbents Shaun O'Hara and Rich Seubert during the offseason. Longtime left tackle David Diehl is also being moved to guard.

The continuity of one of the league's most accomplished and consistent offensive lines has been destroyed. New center David Baas will help, but the Giants will find themselves overwhelmed by the Redskins' package of zone blitz pressures.

As mush as the loss of veteran linemen will hamper the Giants efforts, the free-agency defection of tight end Kevin Boss will be just as damaging.

Boss is one of the better blocking tight ends in the game and was a pivotal part of New York's protection schemes.

The absence of Boss, coupled with the lack of a true fullback, will leave the Giants overmatched when the Redskins attack with overload pressures.

Haslett's blitz calls have become more confident and better designed. The numbers are in the Redskins favour on Sunday and Haslett should ruthlessly exploit them.

The keys to winning most games in the NFL never really change. Stopping the run and controlling the clock on the ground are hardly groundbreaking tactics for the Redskins when they face the Giants.

But the Redskins have better weapons on both sides of the ball to help them carry out such a simple and effective game plan this Sunday.

The Giants may have dominated Washington recently, but the Redskins are now better equipped, while the G-Men have suffered too many losses through free agency and injury.

A victory over the Giants is the ideal way for the Redskins to begin their campaign and prove their credentials as serious challengers for a playoff spot.