Redskins drop sixth straight to Giants 24-13

The Redskins and Giants both head into this afternoon's game with disappointing records, the Redskins at 3-10 and the Giants at 4-9. Which means todays divisional matchup will be more for bragging rights and draft positioning than anything else.

However, the Giants are coming of a dominating 36-7 win that snapped a seven game losing streak. With the Redskins banged up on defense the Giants offense may be able to put big numbers up for the second straight week.

The Redskins defense will be without starters Jason Hatcher, Keenan Robinson, and Brandon Meriweather today, meaning that Stephen Bowen, Will Compton and Phillip Thomas will start in their places this afternoon.

The Redskins offense will also be without Roy Helu which means that recently promoted running back Chris Thompson could see his first action of the season. Josh LeRibeus is another healthy inactive, with rookie Spencer Long getting the nod over LeRibeus.

The Redskins are a mess, now mathematically eliminated from the playoffs and banged up, it is now time to evaluate for the future in Washington. Can players like Will Compton, Phillip Thomas, Chris Thompson, Spencer Long step up and give the Redskins something positive to take into the offseason? They'll all get their shot to prove it today.

The Redskins got off to their usual hot start, on the first play of the game Bashaud Breeland was flagged for a fifteen yard unnecessary roughness penalty. Then after forcing a punt, Andre Roberts let the ball go and was downed inside the five yard line, great starting field position for a struggling offense to start with.

However, despite bade starting field position the Redskins offense has steadily moved the ball down field. The Redskins offense has done especially well at getting positive gains on first down, and avoiding third and longs. The Redskins were unable to punch it into the end zone, and settled for a 35 yard field goal. Redskins strike first, up 3-0. You always want to score touchdowns, but settling for a field goal after starting from your own 4 yard line isn't the worst thing that could have happened to the Redskins.

That was arguably the Redskins most offensively consistent drive of the season. The offense did a good job of mixing it up with some zone read, play action, boot legs, and running game. Can the Redskins build momentum off a strong start offensively?

After one drive Colt McCoy has aggravated his neck injury and is questionable to return. RG III is the only other quarterback active today. McCoy should have never started today's game, the injury he suffered is one that needs time to heal, with two other capable quarterbacks on your roster in a lost season I have no idea why they rushed McCoy back. Another injury held phenomenally by the Skins. May be RG3 time in New York, McCoy is questionable to return.

The Giants did a phenomenally job of adjusting, Breeland was playing Backham very well outside, so the Giants slide him inside and took advantage of the matchup against EJ Biggers. Touchdown Giants, who now lead 7-3.

Robert Griffin III has entered the game, it will be interesting to see how Jay Gruden handles the play calling with Griffin. Gruden needs to continue to use the play action, and boot legs to move the pocket and get Griffin throwing on the run.

End of the first: Giants 7 Redskins 3

Griffin made a couple of throws, but the same problems that have plagued him all season continue to hurt him. On a third and four, Griffin had Jordan Reed open, pull the trigger and your onto the next set of downs. Instead Griffin hesitates just a second, and that's the difference. He stepped into pressure and never hand a chance of eluding it. Redskins punt.

On Chris Thompson's first NFL reception he took it to the house. Griffin was 6-6 with a touchdown on that drive. The Redskins did a good job of playing to Griffin's strengths on that drive, getting him on the move, moving the pocket and giving Griffin quick easy decisions. Redskins regain the lead 10-7.

In a massive turn of events, the Redskins touchdown was overturned after review. The Redskins went from being up 17-7 after a phenomenal effort from Griffin to coming away with zero points and just a three point lead heading into half.

The Redskins have outplayed the Giants thus far, and the defense has really stepped up and played well against a Giants team that put up 36 points just a week ago. Although the Redskins didn't come away with points, that was a good looking two minute drive and we saw some flashbacks to the RG III that took Washington by storm. The Redskins definitely have momentum heading into the second half, but can they maintain it?

Halftime: Redskins 10 Giants 7

Not a good start to maintain the momentum, the Giants executed an onside kick perfectly, and thanks to the two penalties at the end of the first half, the Giants start at the Redskins seventeen yard line. At the very least, the Giants will have an opportunity to tie the game, a ten point swing from the end of the first half to the beginning of the second half.

The defense did a good job of making the best of a bad situation, the Giants and Redskins are now tied at 10.

Robert Griffin III looks as confident as I've seen him look since his rookie season. Griffin has made several plays with his legs and done some things that only Griffin can do, he is definitely eager to show that he can still be "the guy" in Washington. Griffin still has a lot that needs to be improved upon, but it is encouraging that he is showing flashes of his ability, because let's face it everything would be easier for all parties involved if Griffin can develop into the franchise quarterback.

Deep in their own territory, Griffin hit Andre Roberts on a 61 yard strike, and the credit shouldn't go to Griffin or Roberts, the offensive line gave Griffin phenomenal protection and plenty of time to go through his progressions. With good time, Griffin made an easy throw his is more than capable of making and Roberts had a nice run after the catch.

The Redskins could not punch the ball into the end zone despite getting into the red zone, but the Skins do manage to kick a field goal to regain the lead 13-10.

As well as the Redskins defense has played today, you had to know eventually they would give up the big play. Manning hit Odell Beckham for his second touchdown of the afternoon. Giants lead 17-13.

With momentum swinging back in the Giants direction, the last thing the Redskins needed was another injury. Trent Williams has a shoulder and is questionable to return. Tom Compton has shifted to left tackle, and Tyler Polumbus has checked in at right tackle. The Redskins just lost rookie Morgan Moses for the season.

Giants lead Redskins 17-13 at the end of the third.

The Redskins do as much as they can to beat themselves. For a coach that is as blunt as Gruden, the Redskins show little to no discipline. The Redskins have committed five personal fouls and we still have an entire quarter to go. The Redskins don't do the little things that winning teams do on a consistent basis.

The Redskins catch a break from a holding penalty that erased Beckham's third touchdown of the game, and held strong on fourth down giving the ball back to RG III and the offense down just four points.

The Redskins couldn't stop Beckham from getting his third (should be fourth) touchdown of the day. The Redskins secondary is a weak point of the roster, but Beckham is a phenomenal receiver and could be the best receiver in the NFC east, and no I am not making excuses, I'm just giving credit where credit is due. Giants are now up 24-13 and it would appear that the Redskins are heading for a sixth straight loss.

Even with some positive signs from Robert Griffin III it is hard to be positive after a sixth straight loss. The quarterback drama will only be fueled by McCoy's injury and the drama continues to surround a team that hasn't been a legitimate title contender in over twenty years.

The Redskins need a complete makeover, an overhaul of the roster from top to bottom, the problem is will Dan make the changes he needs to make to put the Redskins in a position to be successful? Until those changes are made, no coach, quarterback, or even defensive coordinator has a chance for success in Washington.

Final: New York 24 Washington 13, or Odell Beckham: 21 Redskins 13