NFL Week 3 Instant Analysis New York Giants at Washington Redskins

September 24th, 2007 5:34 am
by Pro Set

NY Giants 24-17 Washington

This was the prototype game of 2 halves. With Washington playing exactly as the script anticipated in the 1st half, a solid running game and a couple of deep passes and zero turnovers brought them a deserved 14 point half time lead. In the second half, things went wrong. Let’s examine why.

The simple answer is that WSH could not manufacture any first downs. The Redskins went 3 & out on every 3rd quarter possession and then fumbled the next possession with scores level. Looking inside that problem, the key was first down rushing. WSH ran to the outside on 1st down after half time and the Giants stuffed those plays. With WSH playing conservatively, losses on 1st & 10 will lead to 3 & outs more often.

Despite the offensive ineptitude, WSH had 1st & Goal at the NYG 5 with a minute left, no timeouts, and the clock running. QB Jason Campbell was finally allowed to make some throws and he hit Antwaan Randle El over the middle for a huge gain. Having got to the NYG 5, the Redskins spiked the ball. This was madness. If they had huddled up, and ran a 1st down play at 30 seconds remaining, and called a pass, the clock would have stopped after that play (assuming incompletion or TD). This panic and disorganization was unacceptably poor.

The Redskins look like frontrunners to me. I can’t see them overcoming too many deficits this season. This makes the loss of a home 14 point lead an utter disaster for WSH. This loss already feels as though it will cost WSH any shot at winning the division.

For the Giants, Eli Manning is making progress. He overcame a 2 INT outing to move the chains and generally looked like a seasoned NFL QB. To get a divisional road win after trailing by 2 TDs at the half is never something to criticize. Unlike DAL QB Tony Romo, I think that Manning can improve further. The effort of a hobbled WR Plaxico Burress was also very impressive. Playing through the pain barrier is a sure way to unite a fractured locker-room.

The Giants will need to bring their second half defense when they play PHI next week. The Giants will also need a running game. RB Derrick Ward looked solid today. Whether he can be a consistent NFL featured back is a matter for debate. Ward himself can settle it by dominating against a suspect PHI defense next week. Unfortunately for the Giants I think that poor play-calling and hesitance by WSH made the job too easy. The Redskins lost despite a +2 turnover margin and a 17 point first half.

Posted in Analysis, Antwaan Randle El, Eli Manning, Jason Campbell, NFL, NFL Franchises/Teams, NY Giants, Plaxico Burress, Washington Redskins, Week 3 Instant Analysis | No Comments »

Week 2 Featured Preview

September 17th, 2007 1:49 am
by Pro Set

Washington @ Philadelphia 8:30 ET on ESPN

When Washington has the ball, the loss of T Jon Jansen to a season-ending broken ankle will be keenly felt. Although some feel that Jansen is overrated, he is a real presence in run-blocking and has great experience in facing the Philadelphia blitzes: an attribute not shared by WSH QB Jason Campbell.

I expect that both RB Clinton Portis and RB Ladell Betts will need to have huge performances for the Redskins to win. Portis must control the game by attacking the Eagles on early downs. If I were Joe Gibbs I would look to quicker, slashing running plays rather than slower traps or counters. With the amount of movement and variation in the pre-snap looks of the PHI defense, it is better to run straight at them and make them react and tackle, hopefully from out of position, rather than letting them come at you.

The WSH passing game cannot be expected to carry this offense. As talented and fast as WR Antwaan Randle El and WR Santana Moss are, Jason Campbell must be careful of the range of FS Brian Dawkins, as well as the Eagles pass rush. Do not be surprised if the Redskins attemtpt a trick play or two in the passing game.

For PHI, patience is the key. Assuming that the special teams disasters of Week 1 are eliminated, the WSH offense will simply not be good enough to win the game without turnover help. I thought that QB Donovan McNabb played quite well last week, despite the poor completion percentage. He made the right reads, did not force passes, and led the Eagles to a run of three solid scoring drives.

Philadelphia should concentrate on a conservative game plan against the WSH defense. I would pound the rock with RB Brian Westbrook and RB Correll Buckhalter. The WSH defense is prove to concentration lapses and will get impatient unless it can create the big sack or turnover. Last week I felt that PHI underused the backs in the passing game. If PHI rectifies this, and McNabb throws for even 55% with no picks, PHI will score enough points to win at home.

Overall, PHI looks too good on both sides of the ball. They cost themselves a road win against a good Packers team last week and so this divisional home game is a must-win. Although I still have doubts over PHI coach Andy Reid under pressure and in tricky clock situations, I am convinced that his players should be good enough to get the job done.

Prediction: PHI

Line: PHI

Posted in Andy Reid, Antwaan Randle El, Brian Dawkins, Brian Westbrook, Clinton Portis, Correll Buckhalter, ESPN, Jason Campbell, Joe Gibbs, Jon Jansen, Ladell Betts, Monday Night Football, NFL, NFL Coaches, NFL Game Previews, NFL on television, Santana Moss | No Comments »