All eyes may have been on rookie all-star Robert Griffin III, but it was the Redskins defense that stole the show in the second half last night in Washington's 17-16 win over the Giants.
The New York Giants needed this win. If they beat the Redskins last night on Monday Night Football, they would be 8-4 with a two game lead over the Dallas Cowboys with four to play. Now Big Blue has a one game lead not only on the Dallas Cowboys, but the Washington Redskins have climbed to within a game of the division lead.
The Giants did a great job keeping Griffin III off the field in the first half. The Giants first three drives of the first half averaged twelve plays and around six and a half minutes. Eli Manning had the Giants driving all three possessions, except one problem. The Giants only put the ball in the end zone one time Monday night on an Eli Manning pass to Martellus Bennett.
After Griffin III led two scoring drives for the Redskins, a field goal and a fumble that led to a touchdown, Manning led the Giants down the field 54 yards and set up another Lawrence Tynes field goal.
The Giants led Washington 13-10 at the half, and were getting the ball to start the second half.
The Giants had a chance to put some distance between them and the Skins with the opening drive in the second half. The Giants drive was stalled at their 41 yard line, and the Giants were forced to punt. The Redskins had all the momentum, driving the ball deep into Giant territory before Alfred Morris was stripped by Chase Blackburn, giving the ball back to the Giants.
The Giants took the turnover and drove down to the Washington 16 yard line thanks to a 49 yard pass from Manning to Victor Cruz. Once agaiat n the Giants got down deep into Redskin territory, but had settle for another field goal by Lawrence Tynes.
After that scoring drive, the Redskins held the Giants offense to just 16 yards of offense.
On the following possession, RG3 drove the Redskin 86 yards on 12 plays ending with a touchdown pass to Pierre Garcon, who had eight catches for 106 yards and a score, giving the Redskins a 17-16 lead.
The Giants could not get any offense going on their next two drives, and also lost right tackle Sean Locklear to a knee injury.
Penalties stalled two of the Giants drives Monday night and cost Big Blue ten to fourteen points; points they could have really used.
Griffin III, who went 13/21 for 163 and a touchdown, and the Redskins offense kept Manning off the field with a four minute drive to end the game.
Manning finished the game 20/33 for 280 yards and a touchdown, but could not lead the Giants to another comeback victory.
Alfred Morris led the Redskins rushing attack with 124 yards on 22 carries, while the Giants Ahmad Bradshaw rushed for 103 yards an 24 carries.
The Giants will host Drew Brees and the struggling Saints Sunday at 4:25 pm, while the Redskins will take on the Baltimore Ravens at FedEx Field at 1:00 pm Sunday. The Dallas Cowboys will be in Cincinnati to take on the surging Bengals at 1:00 pm.
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