It could be seen as a point of pride for the 2011 Washington Redskins. The New York Giants won the Super Bowl, and the Redskins were the only team to beat them twice during the season.
“The Redskins played well, and we didn’t,” Giants coach Tom Coughlin said.
That doesn’t matter much now. The Giants got a parade down Broadway and the Redskins finished 5-11. But as much as players usually talk about a clean slate and leaving last year in the past, those games could play a role Sunday when they meet again.
And not in a good way for the Redskins.
“I think they have a little chip on their shoulder. I don’t think it does anything positive for us,” cornerback DeAngelo Hall said. “There’s no sneaking up on them now. The know we’re for real, and they’re going to definitely bring their A-game to us.”
Last season the Redskins beat the Giants 28-14 at home and then 23-10 on the road.
“They’re going to come harder,” linebacker Rob Jackson said. “Last year, I felt like they overlooked us and ended up getting beat twice.”
So, as much as nose tackle Barry Cofield, formerly of the Giants, said these matchups were closer than the score, they were two blemishes for New York.
“Just knowing Tom Coughlin and knowing his speeches, I’m sure he’s harping on that,” Cofield said. “I’m sure he’s harping on not getting a big head after the win they had last week. He’s going go be hammering those guys; they’re going to be ready. They’re not going to be caught off-guard.”
To be sure, Coughlin, even with another ring to show for his work, hasn’t forgotten anything: “We’re not happy, he said. “We’re not happy about having lost twice.”
The Redskins aren’t happy about it, either. Those victories at the time were nice, but they plummeted in the standings while the Giants went on a playoff run.
That’s why receiver Santana Moss said “it doesn’t mean jack.”
“We won two games last year and we didn’t do nothing after that,” he said. “We went home and watched them play in the Super Bowl.”
Left tackle Trent Williams said during the week that the Redskins can beat any NFL team when they play 60 minutes. But he argued that last year shouldn’t matter.
“No, not at all. We’re a different team than last year,” Williams said. “You can’t win any game of last year. We’re still going to come out and play the 60 minutes to get a win.”
This game is for first place in the NFC East, this year. Given that the Giants looked elite in beating the San Francisco 49ers on the road last week, it’s up to them to defend first place.
But now, players argue, they know what the Redskins have to offer.
“They’re not going to look at us like a team that they feel they should beat,” Cofield said. “They’re going to treat us with a lot of respect and we’re going to get their best shot and we’re going to have to give them ours.”
• Stephen Whyno can be reached at swhyno@washingtontimes.com.
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