Redskins-Giants: It's All in the Trenches

The Redskins have given up over 200 rushing yards in the past five quarters of play.

That will all have to change should they want to beat the New York Football Giants.

The Giants boast the number one ground game in the NFL with their triple threat backfield of Brandon Jacobs, Derrick Ward, and Ahmad Bradshaw. However, they might take the field without Bradshaw, and Jacobs might not get a full load.

Injuries have decimated both Washington and New York. The Giants might be without the services of Bradshaw, Plaxico Burress, Jacobs, Fred Robbins, and Domenik Hixon, while the Skins could be missing Andre Carter, London Fletcher, Kedric Golston, and Marcus Washington.

Anthony Montgomery will return at DT for the Skins, which should help make up for Golston's probable absence. Demetric Evans will most likely see some time at both defensive end spots, and HB Blades will play a lot of LB.

The key, however, is Fletcher. Without him, the Skins not only lose their leader, they also lose their best LB. I expect Fletcher to play, but with him toughing it out, the defensive line must show up.

Maurice Morris and Marion Barber gashed the Redskins' front seven en route to a pair of 100-yard rushing performances. The Giants dominated the Skins in week one on the ground as well.

If the Redskins want to win this game, they must not allow the Giants to seal off the edges. Backs have been able to turn the corner because of the front seven's inability to beat them to the corner. Defensive backs like Carlos Rogers have failed to slow the runs, leading to an endless stream of first downs for opposing offenses.

Montgomery's return should help, but the Skins are short on depth, meaning it will be quite a chore to keep fresh bodies on the field.

One way to stay fresh is to dominate time of possession. That's something the Skins have been good at this season, but the Giants defense is probably one of the best front sevens this side of the '85 Bears.

The Redskins' offensive line is battered and starting to show its age, but this week they will have to ignore the arthritis and get down to business. Chris Samuels and Jon Jansen have struggled at the tackle spots the past few weeks, and they will certainly have their hands full this week against Justin Tuck and Matthias Kiwanuka.

In week one, both of those defensive ends had a field day against the run and the pass, so the Skins will have to make some adjustments.

Backs and tight ends will need to chip, while Samuels and Jansen must not let their assignments get to Jason Campbell.

Campbell has struggled this year under pressure, and the Skins can't afford to get in a hole early, as it will allow the Giants to tee off on Campbell. An early lead would also take some touches away from the Redskins' best weapon, Clinton Portis.

This is an old-fashioned NFC East brawl, and the Skins would be wise to pound it with Portis. As much as I need to see Campbell snap out of whatever slump he's in, Portis will make or break this game.

To let Portis loose, the offensive line has to dominate the line of scrimmage.

For the Redskins, this is a must-win.

Control the clock, keep your defense fresh and their offense off the field, and for goodness sake, please win.