Redskins vs. Giants: Grading New York's Week 15 Performance Against Washington

The New York Giants stumbled once again and took a hit to their playoff hopes with an embarrassing loss to the Washington Redskins at home inside MetLife Stadium, 23-10.

There was no magic from Eli Manning nor even a hint of excitement from the Giants as they were pummeled by the Washington Redskins from the first whistle. The loss delivered a decisive blow to the Giants in the NFC East division race heading into the final two weeks of the season.

Despite two early interceptions thrown by the Redskins’ Rex Grossman, the Giants failed to capitalize and lead a successful offensive drive at any point during the game. Manning struggled and threw three costly interceptions, including one in the fourth quarter that halted what had appeared to be a rallying drive for the Giants.

With five losses in their last six games, the Giants are on pace to miss the playoffs for the third consecutive season. After a spectacular come-from-behind victory in Week 14 against the division-leading Dallas Cowboys, the Giants looked primed to take the NFC East crown. Now, it appears out of hand for Tom Coughlin and his team.

The performance against the Redskins was likely the worst of the season for the New York Giants. It could not have come at a worst time. The Giants will need to kick it in high gear as they set up for an in-state battle with the New York Jets on the “road” in Week 16.

Eli Manning

Eli Manning has had a lot of good games for the New York Giants this season. This loss against the Washington Redskins was not one of them.

Manning struggled out of the gate, but got no help from his receivers—notably Hakeem Nicks—who refused to hold onto some big passes. Nicks dropped a certain touchdown pass on a beautiful ball from Manning in the first quarter and shifted momentum directly into the hands of Mike Shanahan and his Redskins.

A handful of other drops scattered the field, but it does not excuse the play of Manning this past week.

Manning struggled with accuracy. He threw questionable balls that resulted in interceptions on three occasions—though one may or may not be attributed to a poor route on Mario Manningham’s part. Two of those interceptions resulted in points for the Redskins.

He faced pressure on most plays as Redskins defensive coordinator Jim Haslett attacked the weak offensive line of the Giants. Manning was sacked three times.

The eight-year veteran quarterback finished the afternoon 23-of-40 passing for 257 yards and three interceptions.

To be fair, for how Manning has carried the Giants this season, it’s hard to argue with one bad game from the quarterback. Unfortunately, it came at a very bad time for Big Blue.

Grade: C

Running Backs

While the running game actually proved to be quite successful, especially early on, the Giants fell behind so quickly that there was little Ahmad Bradshaw or Brandon Jacobs could do on the ground to salvage the game.

Bradshaw had his first good game for the Giants since returning from injury. He rushed for 58 yards on 10 carries and added New York’s lone touchdown in the final minute of the fourth quarter. He also contributed with 21 yards on three receptions.

Jacobs was sturdy in the backfield for the Giants for the third week in a row, but his limited carries kept his numbers low. He averaged just over four yards per carry, with eight carries for 33 yards rushing. Jacobs did fumble in the third quarter, but it was recovered by Victor Cruz.

Rookie fullback Henry Hynoski did a great job blocking for both men as well as catching out of the backfield. He provided a nice spark at the fullback position that has been lacking.

Grade: B+

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

The New York Giants have boasted one of the surprise receiving corps in the league this season. The only knock on them is they drop way too many passes.

Unfortunately, that caused harm in a dramatic way for the first time all season.

Hakeem Nicks’ first-quarter drop due to “the sun” erased a sure touchdown and moved momentum the Redskins’ way as the Giants would struggle offensively for the rest of the game. Nicks had another drop in the fourth quarter that would have been a touchdown for the Giants—he had three drops in the game.

Nicks’ second touchdown drop could have been a comeback-sparking score, but instead kept the Giants offense off the scoreboard.

Victor Cruz and Jake Ballard added to the drop party, while Mario Manningham displayed his lack of communication with Eli Manning once again. The miscommunication resulted in Manning’s third interception of the game—this one in the end zone.

Grade: D

Offensive Line

The Washington Redskins exposed the Giants offensive line in Week 15.

After an improved performance in Dallas the week before, things were looking optimistic. They quickly reverted back to season form.

The Giants offensive line was strong in limited run-block opportunities, but struggled in pass coverage. Eli Manning was sacked three times and had defenders in his face often.

A foolish holding penalty on tackle David Diehl at the goal line erased an important touchdown in the second half and in turn, left the Giants without points.

Injuries and incapable talent have short-handed the Giants on the offensive line for much of the season. The story was the same once again in New York and the offensive line contributed little help for the Giants’ offensive unit.

Grade: C-

Defense

The New York Giants defense continues to be the biggest weakness and opposing teams have no issues exposing them.

Despite another solid performance from second-year defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul—with the exception of a costly missed tackle—the rest of the Giants’ defensive unit continued to play as poorly as they have all season.

The Giants struggled against the Redskins on third down—the Redskins converted on 53 percent of third downs—allowing for stalling drives to find new life. The secondary could not keep a Redskins receiver covered all day on third down.

Rookie Prince Amukamara ate dust on multiple occasions and often appeared unsure of his assignments.

Justin Tuck was no stud for the Giants either, once again. Tuck, the Giants’ defensive captain, has failed every week to lead his defense and get them ready to play. Banged up and underperforming, it would be more beneficial for the Giants if Tuck was not on the field at all.

Right now, the Giants are not a playoff team and the defense is to blame. A lot of it can be blamed on coaching, but the talent is not playing like they can.

Grade: F

Special Teams

The New York Giants special teams is not anything to boast about. That did not change against the Redskins.

The return game has been subpar, providing little aid in the field-position battle this season.

Steve Weatherford had a good day punting, averaging 44.5 yards per punt, including one inside the 20.

Lawrence Tynes did score what was the Giants’ only points of the game on a 40-yard field goal, but he missed from 44 yards out in the third quarter.

Grade: C

Coaching

For the second time this season, Tom Coughlin and the New York Giants coaching staff was out-coached by Mike Shanahan and the Washington Redskins.

The Redskins had an answer for everything the Giants threw at them and pummeled them into the turf much like the Redskins were able to do in their Week 1 victory over New York.

As it stands now, the New York Giants are out of the playoffs. If that doesn’t change, Tom Coughlin, Kevin Gilbride and Perry Fewell will be out of a job. With another epic collapse in the second half of the season, there are just no more excuses for this staff.

Coughlin has failed to keep the team focused in the second half of the season nearly every year since he was hired in 2004—the Giants are 25-37 in the final eight games of the season under Coughlin. At some point, the blame must fall on him.

A change is necessary to fix what’s wrong with the Giants. Unfortunately, another collapse for the Giants is what it takes to see that happen.

Grade: F