EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey — After a 24-10 win against the St. Louis Rams on Sunday, the Washington Redskins (1-1) have a short turnaround against the New York Giants on Thursday night at MetLife Stadium.
The Giants (0-2) come stumbling into Thursday’s game after two late-game losses to the Dallas Cowboys and Atlanta Falcons.
The Redskins’ first game against an NFC East opponent will be a good measuring stick as to where they stand after a strong showing against the Rams. More importantly, they have an opportunity to take a step forward in the NFC East standings.
Washington enters Thursday’s game leading the league in rushing yards and total defense, while ranking second in pass defense and fourth in run defense.
The sentiment around the locker room this week was that its only been two games and that there’s more to accomplish this season. At the same time, left tackle Trent Williams said the attitude around the team is different this season.
“I ain’t going to say ’wait and see,’ but you know, it’s definitely been an emphasis of ours to stop underachieving, which I feel like we’ve been doing for quite some time,” Williams said.
With that, here’s a look at what to expect tonight.
Logistics
Kickoff: 8:25 p.m.
Records: Redskins 1-1, Giants 0-2
Television: CBS/NFLN (Jim Nantz, play-by-play; Phil Simms, color; Tracy Wolfson, sidelines)
Radio: ESPN 980 (Larry Michael, Sonny Jurgensen, Chris Cooley, Doc Walker)
Weather: 78 and sunny. Wind: 6 mph
Lines: New York -4, over/under 45 per Bovada
Projected Starters:
Redskins offense: QB Kirk Cousins, RB Alfred Morris, FB Darrel Young, WR Pierre Garcon, WR Ryan Grant, TE Jordan Reed, LT Trent Williams, LG Shawn Lauvao, C Kory Lichtensteiger, RG Brandon Scherff, RT Morgan Moses
Redskins defense: DE Stephen Paea, NT Terrance Knighton, DE Jason Hatcher, OLB Trent Murphy, MLB Keenan Robinson, JLB Will Compton, OLB Ryan Kerrigan, CB DeAngelo Hall, CB Chris Culliver, SS Trenton Robinson, FS Dashon Goldson
Giants offense: QB Eli Manning, RB Rashad Jennings, WR Odell Beckham Jr., WR Rueben Randle, TE Larry Donnell, FB Nikita Whitlock, LT Justin Pugh, LG John Jerry, C Weston Richburg, RG Geoff Schwartz, RT Marshall Newhouse
Giants defense: LE Cullen Jenkins, DT Louis Nix III, DT Johnathan Hankins, RE Damontre Moore, SLB Devon Kennard, MLB Jon Beason, WLB J.T. Thomas III, CB Prince Amukamara, CB Jayron Hosley, FS Landon Collins, SS Brandon Meriweather
Injury report: Out — WR DeSean Jackson (hamstring), CB Justin Rogers (foot), LB Perry Riley Jr (calf); Questionable — T/G Tom Compton (calf); Probable — NT Terrance Knighton (rib), C Kory Lichtensteiger (finger), CB DeAngelo Hall (rib), G Shaw Lauvao (calf).
Three things to watch:
* Odell Beckham Jr.: What more is there to say about the Giants’ receiver whose catches are better suited for a video game? There’s not much Beckham can’t catch and it will be interesting to see how the Redskins handle him. When asked how he would best describe Beckham, Redskins veteran corner DeAngelo Hall simply said, “as advertised.” The Giants cut Preston Parker this week which means Beckham could see more plays in the slot on Thursday night. Look for Beckham to face a mix of Hall and slot corner Bashaud Breeland.
* Inside linebacker: The Redskins will have just three inside linebackers dressed for Thursday’s game with Perry Riley Jr. (calf) expected to be out. A source confirmed Will Compton will get the start in place of Riley alongside Keenan Robinson. That leaves Terrance Plummer as the only other inside linebacker dressed for Thursday’s game. Plummer, who was signed off the practice squad last Saturday, played 24 special teams snaps on Sunday.
* Kirk Cousins: The Redskins quarterback doesn’t need to be reminded of the last time he faced off against the Giants. In a 45-14 loss last season, Cousins was 19-for-33 with a touchdown and four interceptions – a 53.0 passer rating. The year before that, Cousins was 19-for-49 with two interceptions – a 31.8 passer rating.
Cousins can only hope Thursday’s performance is better than those two.
“I think it was a tough one,” Cousins said of the four-interception game. “I hadn’t really thrown four interceptions in a game before that I could remember. It was a first-time experience for me. Yeah, it was frustrating. It was difficult. We had come off a tough loss against the Eagles and then, the loss to them, to the Giants was tough. Facing adversity and ultimately I believe it’s made me stronger as a quarterback, as a player, as a person. You know, I’ll use all that hopefully to help me as a quarterback this season.”
Stats:
All-time record: The Redskins are 65-97-4 against the Giants.
Last regular-season meeting: Dec. 14, 2014: 24-13 loss at New York.
• Anthony Gulizia can be reached at agulizia@washingtontimes.com.
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