SERIES OVERVIEW:
-The Giants and Redskins have met 168 times during the regular season with the Giants holding 98-66-8 advantage.
Home- 53-28-4
Away-45-38-4
QUARTERBACK BATTLE:
Eli Manning Vs Redskins:
Eli has played Washington 25 times and has a 17-8 record over the Skins.
Eli is 493-841 for 5,934 yards with 28 touchdowns and 21 interceptions
Kirk Cousins vs Giants:
Cousins is 2-4 all time against the Giants.
Kirk has thrown 131-230 for 1,627 yards with six touchdowns and ten interceptions
SHORT TURNAROUND:
The New York Giants are playing on Thanksgiving this year as they travel down to our Nations capital to play their division rival the Washington Redskins. The Giants coming off their second win of the season against the Kansas City Chiefs are looking to build off of the momentum from Sunday and put a little but of a run together to close out what has been a very disappointing 2017 campaign.
The Redskins are 4-6 and trying to make a push for a wild card spot in the NFC while fighting through a large amount of injuries. Both teams playing on short turnaround times and have altered their practice schedules. Head Coach Ben McAdoo explained that his team is excited of the prospect of picking up two wins within five days. “Yeah. Any time you have a chance to get two wins in five days, it’s exciting. We have a tough opponent. We have to go on the road, travel on a short week. We feel we’re making all the right decisions from a scheduling standpoint, from a load standpoint with their legs. It’s going to be a big mental week for us and look forward to an inspired effort on Thursday night.”
Eli Manning echoed the same feelings about the short turnaround as Coach McAdoo. ” I think when you have a short week, it can be easier after a win just because guys come in here Monday with a little energy already. Whereas you come in after a loss and it can be tough to get everything going and be excited about the opportunities. Either way we got a job to do that’s to get prepared and I think we’ve done a good job so far, but this is one of those weeks that come Wednesday, come Thursday morning, you’re still doing some preparation just to try and catch up.”
The Giants are not the only ones who are on a short week here. Redskins head coach Jay Gruden explained that the injuries and need for rest is important to them as well. ” Yeah, it’s quite the challenge. We just had our first walk through here today and trying to figure out who’s playing and who’s not playing and getting the guys who are playing ready to go, and then you pop on the film and from an offensive perspective, we look at Coach (Steve) Spagnuolo’s defense, and it’s going to be quite the challenge to get our guys ready for all the things that they do and then obviously getting our defense ready for Coach (Ben) McAdoo and Eli Manning will be quite the challenge.”
Gruden was asked by the Giants media about last seasons close games and asked what the difference between this season and last season for the Giants. “I think Odell Beckham. Without Odell Beckham, it’s a huge difference. He’s the best receiver in the league. And then, you know, I think both teams have had a little bit of their share of injuries and we’re trying to deal with it, but from a defensive perspective, you see what they did to the Kansas City Chiefs last week and they still have the usual suspects. They’ve had guys in and out of the lineup, but when they’re healthy and they got (Jason) Pierre-Paul and (Damon) Harrison and Olivier Vernon and the linebackers – (Devon) Kennard and obviously the safety Landon Collins and Eli Apple and Janoris Jenkins and the Redskin killer, (Dominique) Rodgers-Cromartie. He got the two picks last year, last game of the year. I mean, they are a very good defense to go along with Coach Spagnuolo’s scheme. Very disruptive. Very tough to deal with. So, they haven’t changed that much. Offensively, I’d say they’ve probably struggled just a little bit with all the new receivers they’ve had, but they can still run the ball and Eli is still Eli.”
THANKSGIVING-
-The Giants are 7-4-3 all time on Thanksgiving with their last game on the big stage was in 2009 when they were destroyed by the Denver Broncos 26-6 while the Redskins are not as fortunate as Big Blue as the are 2-7 all time on Turkey Day.
The Giants last win was November 25, 1982 against the Detroit Lions.
Washington lost to Dallas last year on Thanksgiving 31-26
-Giants Players all shared different reactions about playing on Thanksgiving as well as their general feelings of the holiday.
Landon Collins: “Thanksgiving means, really, just to be thankful for just the opportunity that I have to open my eyes each and every morning. To be there for my kids, be accountable for them and be grateful for every opportunity that I’m getting today.” He Continues ” My all-time favorite is ham. The ham is the best part, with the pineapples on top. But the best part is baking sweet potato pies with my mom.”
Eli Manning: ” Yeah I mean I think for a lot of these guys, I don’t know what it was like for them, but growing up we used to always watch football on Thanksgiving. Being around family and friends, eat a big meal and watch football. So it is special to be a part of that knowing that a lot of people will have eaten a big meal, maybe taken a little nap here and there, but watching the game and to be a part of that tradition is special.”
Brett Jones: “Yeah, we have a Canadian Thanksgiving, but not at the same time. It’s in October. We do the same thing, same feeling. Everybody comes together, says thanks, enjoying each other’s company. It’s just sort of different being in October, but same thing.”
Olivier Vernon: “This is actually my first time ever playing on Thanksgiving. I can say I remember when I was a kid watching football on Thanksgiving. I remember we used to always go outside, play football on the street and then come inside and watch the games. But being able to be a part of it now, it’s funny how things end up turning out. But yeah, first time playing on Thursday on Turkey Day, looking to get a win and moving on from there.”
Injury Report:
NEW YORK GIANTS
Out
G D.J. Fluker Toe
LB B.J. Goodson Ankle
OL Justin Pugh Back
Doubtful
LB Calvin Munson Quad
Questionable
LB Jonathan Casillas Neck
LS Zak DeOssie Trap
DT Damon Harrison Ankle/Elbow
WR Sterling Shepard Illness
LB Kelvin Sheppard Groin
DE Olivier Vernon Shoulder
WASHINGTON REDSKINS
Out
DL Terrell McClain Toe
S Montae Nicholson Concussion
TE Jordan Reed Hamstring
C Chase Roullier Hand
Questionable
LB Zach Brown Achilles
LB Martrell Spaight Ankle
T Trent Williams Knee
LB Ryan Anderson Knee
WR Ryan Grant Calf
DL Matt Ioannidis Hand/Thigh
DL Anthony Lanier II Knee
T Morgan Moses Eye/Ankle/Ankle
T Ty Nsekhe Core Muscle
RB Samaje Perine Finger
G Brandon Scherff Knee
