Bruised ‘Skins Welcome Giants for Thursday Night Football
Kirk Cousins continues to competently deputize for the injured Robert Griffin III.
Bruised, battered and facing a short week, the Washington Redskins will hope a trip back home proves successful as they host the New York Giants on Thursday Night Football.
Kickoff at FedEx Field in Landover, Md., is scheduled for 8:25 p.m. ET.
The two NFC East rivals are both in need of a win following shaky starts to the season, and will each look to avoid entering Friday with a division-worst 1-3 record.
The Story So Far
Washington (1-2, 1-0 home) began its campaign with a 17-6 road loss to the Houston Texans. While piling on the yards, a lack of third down proficiency, an inability to keep hold of the ball and 71 yards of penalties ultimately cost the team in its first game under first year head coach, Jay Gruden.
The Redskins had no such issues in Week 2, dismantling the hapless Jacksonville Jaguars at FedEx Field to the tune of 41-10. Sadly, not everything went according to plan. Quarterback Robert Griffin III left the game in the first quarter with a dislocated ankle.
This past Sunday, the Redskins ended up in a slugfest (both literally and figuratively) with the Philadelphia Eagles. Amidst some ugly scenes, the Eagles eventually emerged with a 37-34 victory, sending Washington home to licks its wounds.
After beginning the 2013 campaign 0-6, this season started off in a similar fashion for New York (1-2, 0-1 road).
The Giants were easily dismissed by the Detroit Lions in the first Monday Night Football game of the season, before turning the ball over four times in a home-opening loss to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 2.
On Sunday, Tom Coughlin’s side managed to right the ship, earning an impressive victory over Houston. Rashad Jenning’s 176 yards rushing were a big part in the team’s success at MetLife Stadium, and could be the key to opening up the passing game on Thursday night.
The NFC East Landscape
Thursday night’s game isn’t just about seeing which team will finish Week 4 in the NFC East cellar. It’s also a good opportunity for both teams to go some way to showing what they have going forward.
Right now, Philadelphia (3-0) looks the pick of the division despite – or because of, depending how you look at things – getting in trouble early in games. Meanwhile, the Dallas Cowboys (2-1) have had success, but continue to look like a Jekyll and Hyde outfit.
If either the Giants or Redskins can string together some consistent play, the Cowboys could be there for the taking.
Of course, Washington will have an asterisk next to its name regardless of the result, thanks to its current plague of injuries.
As for the Giants? Well some are suggesting that this is a must win game already.
Head-to-Head
New York leads Washington in the all-time head-to-head series 95-65-4 and is 43-37-2 on the road against the Redskins.
Since October 2006, Washington is just 4-12 when playing the Giants, and was swept by its division rival a season ago.
The Giants have won six of their last eight visits to FedEx Field.
Injury Report
Washington listed no fewer than 17 players on its injury report this week, and that doesn’t include safety Duke Ihenacho (foot) and cornerback DeAngelo Hall (Achilles), both done for the year.
The Redskins will continue to play without Robert Griffin III (ankle), with Kirk Cousins continuing to deputize. Cousins threw for 427 yards and three touchdowns against the Eagles this past weekend. However, the interim quarterback is quick to point out he’s not trying to take Griffin’s job.
Linebacker Akeem Jordan (knee) and tight end Jordan Reed (hamstring) will also miss the game. Wide receiver DeSean Jackson (shoulder) defensive tackle Kedric Golston (groin), cornerback Joey Porter (hamstring) and defensive end Frank Kearse (ankle) are amongst nine players listed as questionable.
Things aren’t quite so bad for the Giants, although the team will be without wide receiver Odell Beckham (hamstring) and linebacker Devon Kennard (hamstring).
Check out the full injury report
Rashad Jennings came up big against the Texans. Can he do the same on Thursday?
Betting Report
Below you’ll find Betting Sports’ breakdown of odds and betting trends.
New York Giants vs. Washington Redskins odds for 09/25/2014
Moneyline: Washington (-190) opened as the favorite over New York (+165) on the moneyline. The line has subsequently stayed within a few ticks of those opening odds.
The Giants have gone home with the lion’s share in recent games in Landover, although the Redskins have won two of the last three meetings in the gargantuan stadium.
The Giants are 3-10 in their last 13 road games.
Spread: The spread opened at 6 but has fallen to as low as 3.5 with most sportsbooks.
Both teams covered the spread in Week 3. Washington (2-1-0 ATS) has a slight advantage over New York (1-2-0 ATS) in the early going as far as the spread is concerned.
Washington is 5-2-0 ATS in its last seven home games against the Giants, but with injuries piling up, might be hard pushed to cover on Thursday.
Total: The total opened at 45 and has subsequently climbed a point with most Vegas bookies. At the time of writing, Bovada had the total listed at 46.5.
Both Washington (2-1-0 O/U) and New York (2-1-0 O/U) have favored the over in the early part of the campaign. However, the total has gone under in five of the last seven head-to-head meetings, and five of the last seven the two sides have played at FedEx Field.
*****
For an up-to-date list of Week 4 NFL odds, click here.
For a full list of NFL Futures, click here.
For NFL team prop bets, click here.
For NFL player prop bets, click here.
