Redskins look to avoid another meltdown in Meadowlands against Giants

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — If Week 3 on the road against the New York Giants feels familiar, it’s because it is.

The Washington Redskins played the Giants at MetLife Stadium last year after starting the season 1-1. Their first possession ended with Tress Way’s punt being blocked for a safety, quarterback Kirk Cousins threw an interception on the second play of the next series and the Giants took a 32-21 victory that was never quite as close as the final score indicated.

Another Meadowlands Meltdown will be troublesome for the Redskins after losing consecutive games at home to start this season. The Redskins haven’t beaten their NFC East opponent here since 2011 and have lost five of six on the road against the Giants since the stadium opened in 2010.

Whether it’s the offense’s lack of success in the red zone or the defense’s struggle to get off the field on third down, the Redskins know they need to execute better than they have in the first two weeks.

With that, here’s a look at the logistics and three things to watch in Sunday’s matchup.

Logistics

Kickoff: 1 p.m.

Records: Redskins 0-2, Giants 2-0

Television: FOX (Joe Buck, play-by-play; Troy Aikman, color; Erin Andrews, sidelines)

Radio: ESPN 980 (Larry Michael, Sonny Jurgensen, Chris Cooley, Doc Walker)

Weather: 72 and sunny

Lines: Giants -4, over/under 46 1/2 per Bovada

Stats:

All-time record: The Redskins are 66-98-4 against the Giants.

Last regular-season meeting: Nov. 29, 2015: 20-14 win at FedEx Field.

Injury report:

Redskins: Out — Defensive end Kendall Reyes (groin); Questionable: inside linebacker Martrell Spaight (concussion), defensive end Chris Baker (rib/elbow/toe/knee), wide receiver Josh Doctson (Achilles), inside linebacker Su’a Cravens (hip flexor), center Kory Lichtensteiger (back), offensive tackle Ty Nsekhe (foot).

Giants: Out — Right tackle Marshall Newhouse (calf), running back Rashad Jennings (thumb), defensive tackle Robert Thomas (illness), safety Darian Thompson (foot).

Three things to watch:

** Coach Jay Gruden, offensive coordinator Sean McVay and quarterback Kirk Cousins all fielded the same question at one point this week: How can the Redskins be better in the red zone? In two games, the Redskins offense has gotten inside the 20-yard line 10 times and only has three touchdowns to show for those trips. The struggles have stemmed from a mix of poor execution and decision-making, from both players and the coaching staff. Cousins’ inaccuracy — he’s completed 5 of 17 passes for one touchdown and two interceptions — has come to the forefront. Other times, such as during one the Redskins’ failed fade attempts in the loss against the Cowboys, Cousins had the option to check to a run play based on his recognition of the defensive alignment.

Whether the Redskins have generated the looks they’ve wanted — tight end Jordan Reed has just three red-zone targets — the entire unit needs to do a better job finishing drives when they get in this area, which has been often in the first two games.

** As Todd Dybas wrote earlier in the week, cornerback Josh Norman has looked forward, not back on his scuffle with Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. from last season. The tussle between the two came to a climax after Beckham speared Norman with his helmet. Norman took a diplomatic approach this week and the presumption is that cooler heads will prevail this time around. That said, it’ll be interesting to see how the matchup shakes out when the two step on the field and the trash-talking starts.

How Norman has been deployed in the Redskins defense has garnered plenty of attention. Aside from a switch in the fourth quarter against the Cowboys, he didn’t track Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown or Dez Bryant. But the times he did face them — two targets against each — he hasn’t allowed a catch, according to Pro Football Focus. The Redskins will need that from Norman against Beckham and the Giants.

** One of the bright spots early in the season has been the offensive line’s pass protection. Cousins has been sacked just twice, which is tied for second-least. He’s been hit 11 times, which ranks 16th. At various times against the Cowboys, Cousins had a clean pocket to operate but didn’t always execute the throws. The line will certainly be tested on Sunday against the Giants’ revamped defensive front. Along with Jason Pierre-Paul, they added defensive end Olivier Vernon on a five-year, $85 million contract. Through two games, Pierre-Paul and Vernon have combined for nine quarterback hurries.