The Redskins are going into a crucial game against the New York Giants in MetLife Stadium. Although it is early, a loss would put them three games behind the Giants in the NFC East and create an enormous uphill battle for the rest of the season.
Most divisional games create some sort of buzz, but there has been more than usual between these two teams already.
Keenan Robinson, Giants Linebacker and former Redskins starter has joined in on the smack talk games. "It's the same old story," he said Tuesday as the Giants began preparations to face the Redskins on Sunday at MetLife Stadium. Robinson was on and off the field with injuries last season. He did not want to sign a long term contract with the Skins because he said it was not where he wanted to be for the next four or five years and did not like the direction of the team. Robinson even took it a step further, disrespecting the team that drafted him and gave him a chance to make a career in the NFL. “…When I was there, they started pointing fingers, people started talking. That's how you get dissension in the locker room,” Robinson said.
In addition, before week two, Victor Cruz had already begun chirping and directing comments towards Josh Norman. The bad blood between Cruz’s teammate Odell Beckham Jr and Norman is well known and documented. This matchup will be one of the three keys to the game.
1. Convert Red Zone Opportunities
The Redskins have only scored two touchdowns off of their six chances against the Cowboys in week two, and only have three touchdowns on ten red zone opportunities. This is a major problem and needs to change against the Giants. If they keep leaving points on the board and letting teams hang around, they will continue to lose and come up short. This has been a rather shocking development because last season Mr. Cousins was superb in the red zone. He completed 50 out of 78 passes and threw for 22 touchdowns without a single interception. This season he already has two interceptions and is five for 17 in the red zone. It has been even worse from inside the ten. He has only completed one of eight passes. Although Cousins has not executed, it is fair to question the play calling. In last week’s loss against the Cowboys, Sean McVay, offensive coordinator, called three fade routes to the back off the end zone. All three were unsuccessful. Two of them were to rookie wide receiver Josh Doctson, who did not even have a chance to catch the ball. A respectable run game that Kirk can lean on, discussed above, would give the Skins more options.
2. Establish the run game
The Redskins only have 137 rushing yards through the first two weeks. Only six other teams have less yards on the ground than the Skins, but the they have only run the ball 29 times which is the least in the NFL this season. In comparison, Cousins has 89 pass attempts through the first two games. That is a 75/25 split and needs to change. This is a huge problem because Washington has actually been efficient running the ball. They are averaging 4.7 yards per carry which is way above the league average and sixth best in the NFL. Even if the Redskins are losing, they need to stick to the run game and pound the ball with both Matt Jones and Chris Thompson. I love throwing the ball, but it is getting excessive. When you have such great receiving options like the Redskins it is hard to keep them all involved, but they will be able to get better looks and connect with Kirk if play action is an option in the playbook. After the second Dallas game in 2015, offensive coordinator Sean McVay took the reins off Cousins and allowed him to throw the ball more. The game plan against the Giants this week should be more conservative and run focused to help Cousins get more comfortable and into a rhythm.
3. The Josh Norman versus Odell Beckham Jr. matchup
There is no secret about the hatred between these two and the anticipation of this matchup. The Giants and Eli Manning will certainly not be scared and will go right at Norman. "I still have got to go through my reads," Manning said. "Sometimes, you maybe look at the matchup, if they’re playing man-to-man and it’s all even, you pick your matchups. But, I don’t think ... no, I am not going to be watching and seeing where he goes every time, I still have got to just go through my progressions." He has been impressive thus far for the Redskins although he has not followed the top receiver in each of the first two matchups. The Redskins are finally making an adjustment in week three after receiving a lot of backlash from the media. Some have been saying, “Why pay the guy 15 million per year to not guard the opposing teams top WR?” Sources have told ESPN that Norman will shadow Beckham all day, except if he’s in the slot. Washington cannot forget about their other dangerous receivers. Victor Cruz has looked explosive and similar to his old form while Sterling Sheppard, the rookie from Oklahoma has gotten off to an impressive start. Norman needs to stay focused and calm and step up in a big game. When you are one of the top cornerbacks in football you need to lead by example. Brashaud Breeland and Deangelo Hall are talented enough to contain the other receivers and limit the prolific New York Giants offense.
