New York Giants: 4 Keys to Beating the Washington Redskins

Now that the New York Giants are tied for first place in the NFC East with the rival Dallas Cowboys, every game counts.

The 4-9 Washington Redskins, who at one point in the season dropped six straight, gave Tom Brady and the New England Patriots one of its best games in Week 14.  

While the Redskins did end up losing to New England by seven, they proved that they can put points on the board and contend with the best.

New York will look to build off of its 37-34 victory over Dallas last week, which included two stellar fourth quarter drives by Eli Manning, while the Giants were down by 12 with less than seven minutes to go.

Having already lost to Washington in Week 1, the Giants will look to score early and often while making their playoff push this Sunday at MetLife Stadium at 1 p.m.

Here are four keys to victory this weekend for New York:

Stop the Run

The Giants defense will need to worry more about Washington's rushing offense than its passing.

The Redskins may rank No. 31 in the league in terms of rushing yards, but rookie RB Roy Helu has come on of late.

Helu has rushed for 100-plus yards in three straight games, including 126 last week against New England.

Stopping the run has been an issue for the Giants all season, as they surrender over 127 yards on the ground per game, which ranks No. 22 in the league.

Last week against Dallas, Felix Jones rushed for 106 yards on 16 carries, which is an average of 6.6 yards per carry.

Against an up-and-coming back like Helu, the Giants need to be on their toes.

Run the Football

Getting Ahmad Bradshaw back will pay dividends for the Giants during their playoff push.

Although he was ineffective against Dallas, due in large part to being benched during the first half for violating team rules, we all know the potential that Bradshaw possesses, especially with the type of offensive line the Giants showed in Week 14.

Brandon Jacobs had his best performance of the 2011 season last week at Dallas when he rushed for 101 yards and two touchdowns.

If New York can get back to alternating Bradshaw and Jacobs for speed and power and wearing down defenses, they may be able to return to that epic 2007 form.

Given that Washington gives up over 113 yards per game on the ground, the Giants will have a great opportunity to unleash the running game. 

Rush the Quarterback

Jason Pierre-Paul. There's not much else to say.

Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora are both reportedly doubtful to play on Sunday, leaving it up to JPP, just as it's been all season long.

Pierre-Paul shined in Week 14, recording eight tackles, two sacks and a safety, and a blocked field goal that won the game for New York.

With his performance against the Cowboys, JPP now has 12.5 sacks, ranking him fifth in the NFL.

Pierre-Paul, who leads the Giants in sacks, will miss the presence of Umenyiora, who ranks second on the Giants with seven sacks.

After recording only three sacks in three games in Weeks 11-13, the Giants reached Romo three times last Sunday, culminating into a victory. 

Getting to Rex Grossman this Sunday will surely help the Giants' chances of winning.

Eli Manning

What more can you say about a guy who has led his team to six fourth quarter comebacks?

Along with Tim Tebow, Eli Manning has been the most impressive quarterback in the fourth quarter and the game on the line.

Manning has been tremendous in the fourth quarter, tossing a record-tying 14 fourth quarter touchdowns in 2011.  He has completed more passes, thrown for more yards and touchdowns, and posted the highest passer rating in the fourth quarter than any of the other three.

This is now the third straight season that Manning has thrown for over 4,000 yards, and he doesn't appear to be slowing down.

Manning posted 400 yards and two TDs against Dallas in Week 14 on his way to another clutch victory in the final quarter.

If the Giants are going to beat Washington and make it to the playoffs, they're going to do it on the shoulders of this guy.