Washington Redskins vs New York Giants: Live Update and Analysis

The 2011 NFL season kicks off today for the Washington Redskins with a heated matchup with division rivals the New York Giants. The Redskins' new QB Rex Grossman is ready to prove that he is the real deal.

The Giants want to show that they are still a powerful team, even without defensive end Justin Tuck. It is currently 3:30 ET, 45 minutes before the game kicks off on FOX. In this article, I will provide up to the minute analysis and reporting on the game, and bring a live score, updated as soon as possible.

3:30 PM

 Get your game faces on Washington fans, this is going to be one heck of a game. Without Strong Safety LaRon Landry, it is up to Redskins veteran Wide Receiver Santana Moss, new running back Tim Hightower, and quarterback Rex Grossman to pull this one off. 45 Minutes until kickoff. Rex Grossman said that the Washington Redskins have a chance to win the NFC East. It is great to have someone actually believe in the Redskins and have such high hopes for them. Hopefully they can live up to his expectations. Game is about to stats. Get Ready.

4:00 PM

15 minutes until game time and the pressure is on. This is set to be a historic match in honor of the victims of the 9/11 attacks in 2001. Redskins' stadium, Fedex Field, is very close to the Pentagon, where one of the planes crashed into. The NFL has lifted their ban on wear specialized equipment and are letting player wear gloves and cleats featuring an American flag design by Reebok. Now, back to football and the great game that is ahead of us. I will be giving play by play updates and a live score.  

4:15 PM

The game has now officially begun. It will be interesting to see if their will be another upset this Sunday, after the Ravens and the Texans blew out their opponents. The Eagles, another NFC East rival to the Redskins, have just finished their game with Rams, winning it 31-13. Let's hope the Redskins can pull off a similar performance over the Giants. Here is a look at the Giants' starting lineup. Eli Manning will be starting as quarterback for the Giants and Ahmad Bradshaw as their running back. On to the game. It looks like the Giants will be kicking off to the Redskins and the Redskins will start on offense.

4:25 PM: Washington Possession at 15:00 in the 1st Quarter

Washington's Banks makes a kickoff return of 24 yards to bring them to their own 25 yard line. After a four yard carry by Hightower, there was another failed carry by Hightower and an incomplete pass force the Redskins to punt on fourth down.

4:30 PM: New York Possession at 13:28 in the 1st Quarter

Kickoff return brings the Giants to their own 30. Bradshaw makes two carries for a total of twelve yards and bring a first down for New York. Two incomplete passes for New York and a two yard carry by Bradshaw forces New York to punt on fourth down.

4:35 PM: Washington Possession at 10:28 in the 1st Quarter

Banks produces a kickoff return of 7 yards and brings Washington to the 22 yard line. Grossman makes three incomplete pass attempts to Cooley, Cruz and Gaffney and are forced to punt on third down.

4:38 PM: New York Possession at 10:03 in the 1st Quarter

 After punt, New York's Sundberg returned it 18 yards to the NY 40 but there is a flag down. 10 Yard penalty on New York and they are brought back to the 30. An incomplete pass by New York and then something amazing happens. Manning throws a 68 yard pass to Nicks who is stopped by Doughty at the Washington 2 yard line. Manning scrambles and scores the touchdown. The extra point is made.

NY Giants: 7-0 :Washington Redskins

4:59 PM: Washington Possession at 3:40 in the 1st Quarter

Redskins have ball and make several impressive completions. Carry by Hightower give them first down yet holding is called to make it 1st and 20. Grossman launches great throw to Davis for the first down. Maybe there is hope for Grossman after all. Carry for Hightower that leave them one yard behind the line of scrimmage. 

End of First Quarter

5:04 PM: Washington Possession at 15:00 in the 2nd Quarter

Redskins make one failed attempt at a pass. 4th and 5. Grossman pass to Santana gives them a first down. Awesome. Hightower gives Redskins a gain of 3 to move them to the Giants 24. Hopefully them score on this drive and don't turn the ball over like we saw one too many times last season. Hightower makes another drive for 3rd and 2. Incredible! A beautiful catch by Anthony Armstrong brings the Redskins within the 1 yard line despite being covered and having to dive to catch the ball. 1st and goal. Hightower rush right into the end zone. TOUCHDOWN REDSKINS!! The extra point is made to tie this game up.

NY Giants: 7-7 :Washington Redskins

5:12 PM: New York Possession at 11:23 in the 2nd Quarter

Redskins kickoff to the Giants and something exciting happens. Giants receiver, fails to keep the ball and makes the ball behind him. A live ball is loose and their is a struggle for the ball. While the Giants did recover it, it would have been great if a Redskins player had gotten it. The Giants will start at their 7 yard line. Manning passes to Bradshaw, who completes a run for 5 yards. Quick throw to Nicks for an easy 7 yards and the first down. A deep throw is made by Manning under pressure but is way out of reach of any receiver. Bradshaw proceeds to make another quick carry for 7 yards. The Redskins need to isolate Bradshaw if they want a chance of winning this game. Manning throws goes under pressure and is forced to throw it away. Fourth down and the Giants are punting. Giants' kicker punts it out of bounds yet there is a flag on the play. The Redskins have the choice of having them re-punt it, or take it on their own 40.

5:23 PM: Washington Possession at 9:11 in the 2nd Quarter

Redskins have ball at their own 40 yard line. Two carries by Hightower give the Redskins a total yard gain of 5 yards. Grossman throws a deep pass to Armstrong but can't get more than a hand on it while being guarded by Webster. Fourth Down. Redskins are forced to punt. If the Redskins need to make more plays like the one before this one. They need to stop relying on Hightower and start making more passes to Moss, Cooley and Armstrong. They are playing as if passing is the second option. This was a pretty pathetic drive.

5:25 PM: New York Possession at 6:47 in the 2nd Quarter

The Giants started off their drive with an amazing pass that brought them to the 39. They then proceeded to make two passes for the first down. Shutdown Nicksand and Manningham, and the Redskins can shutdown the Giants passing options. Another catch by WR Manningham gives the Giants another 1st down. Another 17-yard pass to Nicks gives the Giants a first down and a shot at goal. Brandon Jacobs carries the ball 14 yards and the Giants are within scoring. Bradshaw carries for the touchdown. I've said it once and I'll say it again. Take out Nicks and Bradshaw. That is the key to winning this game. The Giant score the extra point.

NY Giants: 14-7 : Washington Redskins

5:33 PM: Washington Possession at 2:48 in the 2nd Quarter

Washington has the ball go out the back of the end zone, so they will start at the 20. 2 quick pass to Moss and Cooley give the Redskins a 27 yard gain. Amazing pass to Gaffney give the Redskins another a 39 yard gain. This is what they should do. Focus more on passing than trying to get Hightower to run the ball through the Giants' defense. Redskins set up the screen for the pitch to Hightower, who picks up 9 yards. TOUCHDOWN REDSKINS!!! Grossman throws an incredible pass to Armstrong, who catches it deep in the end zone. The extra point is made and there is a call against the Giants, who will suffer a 5 yard penalty. The game is all tied up.

NY Giants: 14-14 : Washington Redskins

5:41 PM: New York Possession at :37 in the 2nd Quarter

Washington kicker, Gano, send the ball deep into the stands. Bradshaw rushes yet picks up no yards. That's right Skins, shut out Bradshaw and that's how you win the game.

End of First Half

5:48 PM 

That was a very interesting first half. Both teams seem to have found their rhythm on offense, but are still struggling on defense. It is probably because both teams lack an important defensive player, Tuck for the Giants and Landry for the Redskins. Whichever team gets there defense under control and playing well first will win the game. Now, onto the Player of the First Half.

My Player of the First Half is Ahmad Bradshaw. Not only has he been able to penetrate the Redskins defense, he does it a lot. He makes carrying the ball 7-9 yards almost every play look normal. Yet, on the last play off the first half, we saw him stopped in his tracks by the Redskins defense. Does this mean that the Skins have figured out his patterns. Hopefully. Let's get ready for the second half where the East Coast rivals battle it out in Washington.

5:57 PM: New York Possession at 14:54 in the 3rd Quarter

I want to welcome you back to the second half of the Redskins vs the Giants. We started the third quarter with a false start and a carry by Bradshaw to make it 3rd and 11. TOUCHDOWN WASHINGTON!! The ball is batted into the air by rookie Kerrigan, who runs it into the end zone. What a fantastic start to the second half for the Washington Redskins.

NY Giants: 14-21 : Washington Redskins

6:03 PM: New York Possession at 13:03 in the 3rd Quarter

The Washington defense seem to be getting into a good feeling. After the touchdown by Kerrigan, not only did they stop any yard gains on first down, and then sacks Manning. Fourth Down. It looks like the Giants are punting. What a great defense the Redskins are turning out to be. Shut down Bradshaw and cover the WR and their are sure to win.

6:07 PM: Washington Possession at 10:49 in the 3rd Quarter

 Several failed carries by Hightower and a proficient pass by Grossman to Davis for the first down is a terrific start to a drive that might lead to another touchdown. It is good to see the Redskins using their receivers more than their running back to gain yards. I think they learned their lesson in the first half after gaining almost no yards by running the ball. Washington is forced to punt on fourth down.

6:16 PM: New York Possession at 8:19 in the 3rd Quarter

New York seems to have found their mojo on offense. In three plays, they have advanced to the Redskins' 37. Coverage on WR has been pushed after the amazing pass to Ballard. While the Giants are able to make complete passes, the receivers don't go anywhere because they are stopped dead by the defense. Looks like the Giants are going for it on fourth down. Bradshaw is stopped and the Redskins get the ball in their own territory.

6:24 PM: Washington Possession at 4:58 in the 3rd Quarter

Members of the Giants coaching staff have given the referees an earful after a debatable catch by Gaffney. Looks like the Giants are challenging the call. The call is reversed and Gaffney is called out of bounds. It doesn't matter because Grossman just threw another two first downs. Rex Grossman is looking like a very solid QB on the first game of the season. Spoke too soon, Grossman is sacked two plays after the two first down throws. He should learn to throw the ball away because he just got sacked two times in a row, the second one for a loss of sixteen yards. Great. They got pushed out of field goal range and now they have to punt on fourth down.  

6:36 PM: New York Possession at :15 in the 3rd Quarter

Coming off two sacks, Washington sacks Manning and backs the Giants up to their own 3 yard line.

End of Third Quarter

6:40 PM: New York Possession at 15:00 in the 4th Quarter

The Redskins' terrific defense keeps on plowing through the Giants. They forced the Giants to put on fourth down. A very, very short punt leaves the Redskins starting at the Giants 42. That was a very bad time for Giants kicker, Tynes, to kick his shortest punt of the game.

6:44 PM: Washington Possession at 13:42 in the 4th Quarter

More failed carries by Hightower and a fumble by Grossman leading to a turnover. Grossman needs to learn when to throw away the ball. That was the third time he has gotten sacked. 

6:47 PM: New York Possession at 12:43 in the 4th Quarter

Giants are going to have to deal with the Redskins defense once more. They were able to stop them and force a field goal instead of a touchdown. FIELD GOAL BLOCKED!!! The Redskins defense has done it once again. What an improvement from being ranked 31st in the NFL last season in defense.

6:51 PM: Washington Possession at 10:55 in the 4th Quarter

Hightower has got to improve his rushing ability. Almost every time Grossman has given him the ball, he has been stopped at the line of scrimmage, or behind it. The Redskins are currently at midfield. Let's see if they can make something of it. Flag on the ground at the end of third down on the Giants. 1st down for Washington. Davis has had an extraordinary day. He has just given the Redskins a 1st and Goal. Another amazing player on the Washington's offense. He is usually shadowed by Cooley, but coming off the injury, they needed Davis to play well for Cooley. TOUCHDOWN WASHINGTON!! Gaffney gets the pass from Grossman for the TD. Extra point is made.

New York: 14-28 : Washington Redskins

7:11 PM: Washington Possession at 3:11 in the 4th Quarter

The Redskins have this game pretty much shut down. The 2 minute warning has almost been reached and the Skins have the ball and a 2 touchdown lead. What an amazing game for the Redskins. If they perform like this every game, they actually have a good chance of making the playoffs. The Giants have no timeouts left and the Redskins arepunting it on 4th and 3. 

7:18 PM: New York Possession at 1:06 in the 4th Quarter

The Giants have one minute to make 2 TDs. They are giving it a good effort but it won't be enough to penetrate the Redskins' defense. The game is over with the final score being:

New York Giants: 14-28 :Washington Redskins

7:21 PM

What a great game. The Redskins are now 1-0 and must be feeling very good for themselves. Coming off a great showing against the Giants. Davis, the TE replacing Cooley for a large portion of the game, showed to be my Player of the Match. Davis, who is usually playing in the shadow of Chris Cooley, lead the team in receiving yards with 105 yards in only 5 receptions. The Redskins defense also proved to be one of the most, if not the most, improved defense in the league, sacking Manning 4 times. The Redskins are proving to be one  great team.

Now onto the Giants. The Giants played well during the first half, yet fell apart during the second. Once the Skins' defense figured out how to guard the WR and isolate Bradshaw, it was all downhill from there.

Until next time against the Arizona Cardinals!