Redskins vs. Giants: 6 Matchups Washington Must Win

The Washington Redskins will take to the road to battle division rival the New York Giants this week. Mike Shanahan's team was able to best the longtime division nemesis in Week 1, but a lot has changed for the Redskins since then.

After carving out an impressive 3-1 record to begin the campaign, the Redskins have since stumbled their way through a prolonged slump, winning only one of nine games.

The Giants enter this contest knowing that their hopes for the postseason rest firmly in their own hands.

After defeating the Dallas Cowboys in Texas last week, the G-men are now the favorites to take the NFC East crown and be the division's lone representative in the playoffs.

Big Blue will be confident about their chances of trouncing the Redskins, having lost only two of their last nine meetings.

But the Redskins have run playoff-bound teams close in recent weeks and have the talent to exploit some key weaknesses on the Giants team.

Here are six matchups the Redskins simply have to win in order to secure an impressive road upset of the Giants.

6. Brian Orakpo vs. David Diehl

Brian Orakpo has flattered to deceive for much of the season. But the two-time Pro Bowler still possesses the talent to cause problems for stand-in left tackle David Diehl.

Having played guard for most of the season, Diehl has recently been moved back out to tackle, following the injury to regular starter Will Beatty.

Orakpo must find a way to recapture his best form and use his quickness off the ball and tremendous upper-body strength to overwhelm Diehl.

Getting pressure on Eli Manning will be vital for the Redskins defense, and Orakpo needs to re-assert himself as the team's main pass-rushing threat.

5. Barry Cofield vs. Kevin Boothe

Former Giants standout Barry Cofield needs to control the line of scrimmage and create plenty of havoc inside against his old teammates.

The Giants have had problems at center for most of the season. Prized free-agent acquisition David Baas has failed to live up to his billing, and now the New Yorkers have turned to backup Kevin Boothe.

Cofield needs to use his power and savvy to beat Boothe and draw double teams. Cofield must generate plenty of push and move the pocket in order to get Manning off his spot.

The Redskins nose tackle will also be crucial in how effectively the defense manages to handle Big Blue rushing tandem Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs. 

4. Perry Riley vs. Brandon Jacobs

No Redskins fan wants to see Brandon Jacobs once again battering Washington defenders into submission, swatting aside feeble tackles as he stomps his way into the end zone.

Jacobs has terrorised the Redskins in recent seasons. Washington has simply found his brute force and tenacity too much to handle.

Since second-year pro Perry Riley replaced Rocky McIntosh in the starting lineup, he has added a more rugged presence to the middle of the Redskins defense.

Riley will need to showcase his aggression and tough tackling early and often against Jacobs. The bruising back revived his season with a 100-yard effort against the Cowboys, and the Redskins can expect to see plenty of the 6'4", 264 pounder.

The only way around the problems posed by Jacobs for the Redskins is to meet power with power, and Riley has to lead the way.

3. Will Smith vs. Jason Pierre-Paul

Much of the Redskins' success on offense will be determined by how well their makeshift left tackles deal with pass-rushing ace Jason Pierre-Paul.

The second-year defensive end is coming off his best game of a dominant season so far. Pierre-Paul manhandled Cowboys left tackle Doug Free and preserved the Giants' win with a stunning block of a late field-goal attempt.

With Trent Williams still suspended, rookie free agent Will Smith could get the nod to start. Smith saw plenty of time last week against the Patriots.

Although he did a fine job in the running game, Smith worryingly found it difficult to cope with edge pressure, giving up a crucial sack against Andre Carter.

Speed off the perimeter is the hallmark of Pierre-Paul's game, and Smith will need to use his exceptional range and athleticism to stand a chance.

2. Jabar Gaffney vs. Corey Webster

With tight end Fred Davis also serving a suspension, Rex Grossman will need wideout Jabar Gaffney to be at his best against the Giants.

Gaffney has been Washington's most consistent pass catcher in 2011. The journeyman receiver has hauled in 52 receptions for 757 yards and four touchdowns.

He will need to work hard to get the better of aggressive Giants cover ace Corey Webster. Gaffney is a precise route runner, and his intelligent patterns could lead to some success.

Webster likes to be extremely physical at the line of scrimmage and will gamble on certain throws. Gaffney has the smarts and deceptive speed to utilise some double moves and collect some big gains.

Grossman is not shy about looking Gaffney's way, so the 31-year-old flanker needs to deliver a big performance.

1. Roy Helu vs. Michael Boley

Given how easily Felix Jones managed to run against the New York defense, Redskins rookie runner Roy Helu should be primed for another big game.

The Cowboys were especially effective when running right at Pierre-Paul and lightweight weakside 'backer Michael Boley.

The  left side of the Redskins offensive line was very impressive blocking for the run against the New England Patriots last week.

Kyle Shanahan would be well-served to design plenty of runs to the same side against the G-men. Helu possesses the quick feet, nifty moves and strength at the point of contact to simply overwhelm Boley.

Running right at Boley takes away his effectiveness as a playmaker in open space. The Redskins are unlikely to want to try their luck on the other side, against the more physically intimidating Mathias Kiwanuka.

The Potential Exists for a Great Redskins Victory

The Giants have given the Redskins fits in recent seasons. But 2011's opening-day showdown proved that this Redskins team is more than capable of carrying the fight to the New Yorkers.

The Giants defense has been very suspect in recent weeks, and it's a safe bet that the Redskins will be able to put up points.

The onus will be on Washington's own defense to stand up physically to Big Blue. If the unit can keep the game close, the Redskins have a real chance of springing a surprise late on.