With the Washington Redskins in a desperate mindset, they headed to MetLife Stadium in search for their first win of the season against the New York Giants.
In a back and forth effort, linebacker Su’a Cravens would secure the 29-27 win with an interception on a last minute drive by the Giants.
Kirk Cousins finished with 296 yards, completing 21 of his 35 passes. Cousins also threw for two touchdowns. DeSean Jackson, who finished the game with 96 yards, caught a 44-yard touchdown in the first half.
Jamison Crowder, who ended the game with 78 yards, picked up a screen pass for a 55-yard scamper and score.
In the first half, the Redskins were able to contain the Giants vaunted passing game. But the Redskins’ defense against the running game was a completely different story. Through the first half, Giants running backs Shane Vereen and Orleans Darkwa combined for two touchdowns and 95 yards on the ground.
Red zone struggles almost ended up costing the Redskins, especially an effort in the second quarter. With just six seconds remaining in the half, the Redskins found themselves on the Giants’ four yard line. Cousins dropped back for a pass and rolled to his left. He was hit in the backfield by Giants’ defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, fumbling the ball as he went down.
Cousins was able to recover the ball, but time expired and the Redskins walked away from the drive with no points on the board.
Offensively, the Redskins improved greatly in the second half. The top highlight was Jamison Crowder’s screen pass. Crowder’s second touchdown of the season gave the Redskins a 23-21 lead.
Kicker Josh Brown would give the Giants the lead again after the Redskins challenged what they believed was an interception by Redskins’ safety David Bruton. Bruton got tangled up in the corner of the end zone with running back Bobby Rainey. Bruton came down with the ball, but was ruled out of bounds.
The Redskins would answer with a field goal conversion of their own, but it wasn’t without punter Tress Way’s exciting fake punt. Way threw his first complete pass, a 31-yard gain to Quinton Dunbar to continue the drive.
Dunbar would later come up with a critical one-handed grab at his own goal line to keep the Redskins in the game.
Dustin Hopkins would give the Redskins the 29-27 lead with a 37-yard field goal. Hopkins converted on all five of his field goal attempts.
But in the final drive of the game for the Giants, Cravens would snag a short Manning pass to give the Redskins their first win.
The Redskins defense allowed 470 total yards. Odell Beckham Jr. was held in check in the first half, but he caught seven passes for 121 yards on 11 targets. Vareen would lead the Giants in rushing yards, with 67 on 11 carries.
Matt Jones, who briefly exited the game after taking a hit to the head in the third quarter, led the Redskins with 65 yards on 17 carries.
Washington suffered some key blows to their secondary and offensive line.
In the first quarter, cornerback Bashaud Breeland exited the game with an ankle injury after awkwardly planting his leg as he braced for a tackle. DeAngelo Hall followed Breeland to the Redskins’ side line with a knee sprain. Hall had to be helped off of the field, but was seen on the sideline walking around with a ice pack on his knee.
The offensive line also had their fair share of injuries. Center Kory Lichtensteiger was poked in the eye and was momentarily held out of the game. He would return before injuring his calf, which kept him on the sidelines.
Left guard Shawn Lauvao injured his ankle and was held out for the game. As a result, the Redskins shifted Trent Williams to the left guard position and inserted Ty Nsheke as the left guard and used Spencer Long as the center.
• Tommy Chalk can be reached at tchalk@washingtontimes.com.
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