Big Blue Beatdown Boosts Buoyancy

The New York Giants were shutting out the rival Redskins 24-0 after thirty minutes of Monday night football in Washington. Big Blue wasted no time in the next half hour in putting up another 28 points before leaving the nation’s capital with a blowout 45-12 drubbing of the home team. New York’s romping of the Redskins keeps the Giants just one game behind Dallas and Green Bay for the NFC wildcard. The lukewarm Giants remained in the hunt by playing with focus and controlling every facet of the game. Tom Coughlin’s offense scored on six of their first seven possessions to pulverize and humiliate Washington. New York’s defense produced five sacks and three picks to back a three touchdown night from quarterback, Eli Manning.
The 8-6 Giants looked like a team facing a must-win when they came out of the gate all fired up. Running back, Ahmad Bradshaw, was a man on a mission too. Bradshaw scored the first touchdown of the game. It wasn’t a quick seven. The drive shaved nine minutes of the clock in the first quarter. Bradshaw’s three yard bolt on the 16th play of the 80 yard drive provided New York their first edge of the game. The Redskins would never come close to retaking the lead. Bradshaw found the end zone again in the second quarter, and Lawrence Tynes’ 38 yard field goal made it a 17-0 New York lead. Washington couldn’t seem to do anything right. The four-win ‘Skins went three-and-out on their first three possessions. Washington signal caller, Jason Campbell, tossed two interceptions and completed 15 of his 28 passes. Manning was efficient in throwing 268 yards. Steve Smith was on the receiving end of Manning’s first touchdown Monday night. Smith’s six yard reception occurred four minutes before the half. The Redskins faked a field goal before the break, but the failed play resulted in a Giant turnover.
New York had all the right moves and motives. The threat of Brandon Jacobs and Bradshaw in the backfield opened up the passing game for Manning. Bradshaw’s nine touches produced a pair of first half touchdowns. But, the balanced New York offense kept Washington off-balance. Fred Davis finally gave the home team their first touchdown in the third quarter. Campbell’s completion from 11 yards was spoiled by a blocked extra point, however. The Giants were a hungry team from every angle. The pass rush excelled in applying pressure on the pitiful trio of quarterbacks utilized by Washington. The defense delivered the beatdown in a tantalizing effort against the tainted ‘Skins. Derek Hagan reeled in one pass Monday night, but it was good for six points. The little-used receiver’s 23 yard touchdown continued the rout midway through the third quarter. Terrell Thomas put the Giants up by 32 points following an interception return for a touchdown. Campbell answered the turnover with four straight first downs. Washington scored with .14 second left in the third quarter on a one yard cut up the middle by Quinton Gather for their final touchdown of the night.
Manning added to the New York lead in the fourth quarter before he was pulled from the game. Mario Manningham scored on the opening drive of the final quarter after Washington’s Pro-Bowl defender, Albert Haynesworth, was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct. Manningham had three catches for 44 yards. Safety, Aaron Rouse and linebacker, Chase Blackburn overwhelmed the Redskins with an interception each. Ten receivers frustrated Washington in numbing fashion Monday night as the Giants looked like a genuine playoff team. Even without Corey Webster and Aaron Ross, the defense thrashed Jim Zorn’s offense and made it look relatively easy minus their inactives. The Redskins were held to 78 total yards in the first half. The Giants were exceptional in converting third downs in embarrassing their hapless NFC East opponents. Had New York lost down in D.C., they still would have remained post-season eligible. But with three teams vying for two wildcard spots, the Giants couldn’t take a chance of losing the game. The Giants have the edge over both the Cowboys and Packers in any tie-breaker scenarios. Monday night’s devastating defeat of Washington puts them in a better position of not sitting out the playoffs.

Parting Points: Thank goodness the Dallas Cowboys ridded themselves of Nick Folk.

Adios, Melky…welcome back, Javy.

Listening to Foo Fighters’ “Long Road to Ruin” on repeat this terrific Tuesday.