Game Preview, Week 18: Washington at Giants
January 7, 2022
by Steve Thomas
Well, folks, we’ve come to the end of another Redskins Washington season, and frankly, it’s going to end about as we all should’ve expected. If you predicted a fabulous, 11 or more win year, I admire your optimism, but it certainly wasn’t warranted given the team’s performance last season. To finish off the 2021-22 campaign, Washington travels up to New York to face the division rival Giants. Sure, the Giants aren’t a good team, and they somehow managed to post a negative net passing yards against the Chicago Bears last week. Don’t let that fool you – Washington has laid plenty of eggs against the Giants in recent years, including losses of 24 – 3 and 40 – 16 in 2018 and 2019. Washington had a five game losing streak to the Giants going before week 2 this year. So don’t think that just because the Giants stink that Washington is going to easily finish out the season the right way. It might be a battle. Our week 18 preview begins below.
Game time & location: Sunday, January 9, 2022, 1:00 p.m. ET, Met Life Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ; Gates open 11:00 a.m. ET; parking lots open 8:00 a.m.
Television: Fox
Television announcers: Chris Myers, Daryl Johnston, Jen Hale
TV broadcast map: click here
DC-area radio: The Team 980
Washington radio network: click here
Giants radio network: click here
Satellite radio: Sirius XM: 231 (NY broad.); internet: 831 (Washington broad.)
Redskins roster: click here
Redskins depth chart: click here
Giants roster: click here
Giants depth chart: click here
All-time head-to-head record vs Giants: 69 – 104 – 4 (last 10: 3 – 7; streak: 1 – 0)
Last meeting: W, September 16, 2021, 30 – 29
Early odds: Washington, -6.5
3 KEYS TO THE GAME
Show up and play like you want to win
Look, it’s the last game of the season and these are both losing teams. Many fans are rooting more for draft positioning than a win. The players, though, have contracts, reputation, and honor to fight for, so they may be more motivated than the fans to play to win. Probably the single biggest key to a Washington victory is for Washington to show up ready to play. Considering that Ron Rivera is the head coach, my guess is that Washington will play this game to win, and that’s certainly going to be most important factor on Sunday.
Make Jake Fromm extremely uncomfortable
Starting quarterback Daniel Jones, who isn’t all that good, has been out with a neck injury suffered in week 12, and backup Mike Glennon, who is far worse, is going to be out with a wrist injury. Therefore, the starts job falls this week to Jake Fromm, the 2020 fifth round pick by the Buffalo Bills. He’s played in 2 games, with 1 start, and has completed 12 of 29 passes for 107 yards. Washington should go all out to put Fromm under significant stress via a creative, aggressive pass rush. Washington doesn’t have a history of actually accomplishing such a thing this season, but that should be the game plan.
Force the Giants to continue to be terrible in the red zone
The biggest reason why the Giants have only scored a total of 251 points all season, which is the second-lowest in the NFL, is that New York is the worst team in the league in the red zone. They’ve scored a total of 19 points in the last three games. Washington needs to make sure that the Giants stay that way. Keeping the Giants safely failing in the red zone is another major key to this game.
3 KEY MATCHUPS
Kendall Fuller and Darryl Roberts vs Kenny Golladay
Golladay was the Giants’ best-producing receiver this year. William Jackson III was sentenced to coronavirus jail this week, so the job of trailing Golladay will most likely fall to Kendall Fuller and Darryl Roberts. This is a fairly high-profile matchup that bears watching. If the likes of Jake Fromm is able to consistently connect with Golladay, then Washington could be in for a long day.
Jonathan Allen vs. Will Hernandez
Allen is Washington’s best defensive player, and Hernandez is the Giants high-profile guard who came into the NFL as a highly celebrated guard in 2018. His play and reputation has fallen off since that time, but this is still a pretty high-profile battle in the interior of the trenches. Keep an eye out on whether Allen is able to take advantage of Hernandez and finish the season strong with one or more sacks. Remember, keeping the inexperienced Fromm under pressure is a big key to the game.
Charles Leno and Samuel Cosmi vs. Azeez Ojulari
Ojulari leads the Giants with 8 sacks. Leno and Cosmi need to both have go days and give Taylor Heinicke a clean pocket from which to operate. Watch out for whether Ojulari is able to pressure Heinicke, or whether he’s a non-factor.
OFFICIAL INJURY REPORT (active roster only) (starters in bold)
LP – limited practice FP – full practice DNP – did not practice
NIR – not injury related Q – questionable O – out
D – doubtful NL – not listed
| Washington | Giants |
| OL S. Charles, knee; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; game: O | FB. C. Gillaspia; knee; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: LP; game: Q |
| WR C. Samuel, hamstring; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; game: O | QB M. Glennon, wrist; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; game: O |
| TE R. Seals-Jones, concussion; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; game: O | DL A. Johnson, foot; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: LP |
| DE M. Sweat, NIR (personal); Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; game: O | WR C. Johnson, hamstring; Wed: DNP; Thurs: LP; Fri: LP; game: Q |
| T S. Cosmi, hip; Wed: LP Thurs: FP; Fri: FP | DL D. Lawrence, NIR/COVID Ramp Up; Wed: DNP; Thurs: LP; Fri: FP |
| RB A. Gibson, hip; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP; Fri: FP | WR J. Ross, knee; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; game: O |
| DE J. Smith-Williams, illness; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP; Fri: FP | LB E. Smith, neck; Wed: DNP; Thurs: to IR |
| TE S. Reyes, hamstring; Wed: NL; Thurs: LP; Fri: DNP; game: Q | RB S. Barkley, ankle; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP; Fri: LP |
| T C. Leno, NIR (rest); Wed; NL; Thurs: NL; Fri: DNP | OL K. Cunningham, COVID Ramp Up; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP; Fri: FP |
| OL W. Hernandez, ankle; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP; Fri: LP; game: Q | |
| TE K. Rudolph, ankle; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP; Fri: LP | |
| DL D. Shelton, COVID Ramp Up; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP; Fri: FP | |
| WR D. Slayton, shoulder/COVID Ramp Up; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP; Fri: LP | |
| OL A. Thomas, shoulder; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP; Fri: LP | |
| WR K. Toney, shoulder; Wed: LP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; game: O | |
| LB L. Carter, illness; Wed: NL; Thurs: DNP; Fri: LP |
TEAM STATISTICS
Washington:
Washington has scored 313 points this season, which is ranked 22nd in the NFL. They are 20th in total yards, 20th in passing yards, 13th in rushing yards, and 22nd in yards per attempt. They are average on 3rd downs, ranked 16th, and are just 25th in the red zone.
On defense, Washington has surrendered 427 points, which is ranked 28th in the NFL. They are ranked 27th in total yards, 30th in passing yards, 8th in rushing yards, and 12th in rushing yards per attempt.
Record: 6 – 10 (3rd) (Away: 3 – 5; NFC: 5 – 6; NFC East: 1 – 4)
All-time franchise record: 616 – 622 – 28
Offense
| Offensive rankings | 22 (points) / 20 (total yards) / 20 (yards per game) / 25 (yards per play) / 20 (passing yards) / 23 (passing yards per att.) / 13 (rushing yards) / 22 (rushing yards per att.) |
| Points for | 313 |
| Yards per game | 323.6 |
| Passing
|
532 att (20th); 347 comp; 65.2% comp per. (20th); 6.8 Y/A; 3342 net yds; 21 TD; 15 Int |
| Passing leader | Heinicke (476 att (17th), 3299 yds (19th), 65.5% comp perc (19th), 20 TDs / 15 Int, 86.5 QB rating (23rd) |
| Receiving leader | McLaurin (960 yds (24th), 124 tgts (17th), 73 rec (26th), 5 TDs, 13.2 YPC (38th)) |
| Rushing | 440 att (12th); 1835 yds; 4.2 Y/A; 114.7 Y/G (13th); 12 TDs |
| Rushing leader | Gibson (237 att (4th), 891 yds (9th), 6 TDs (24th), 3.8 Y/A (40th), long 27) |
| Sacks surrendered / rank | 40 / 23 |
| Ave time of possession / rank | 30:38 / 11 |
| 3rd down conversion rate / rank | 39.81% / 16 |
| TD percentage in red zone / rank | 53.19% / 25 |
Defense
| Defensive rankings | 28 (points) / 27 (total yards) / 27 (yards per game surrendered) / 31 (yards per play) / 30 (passing yards) / 28 (passing yards per att.) / 8 (rushing yards) / 12 (rushing yards per att.) |
| Points against | 427 |
| Yards per game surrendered | 370.7 |
| Opponent’s passing | 566 att (20th); 385 comp; 68.0% comp perc. (28th); 7.8 Y/A; 4250 net yds; 33 TDs; QB Rating 104.1 (31st) |
| Opponent’s rushing | 405 att (11th); 1681 yds; 4.2 Y/A; 14 TDs; 105.1 Y/G (8th) |
| Sacks / rank / Sack leader | 35 / 18 / Allen (8.5) |
| Tackles leader | Holcomb (131) |
| Int / rank / Int leader | 9 / 26 / Collins, Holcomb, Jackson, McCain (2) |
| Opponent 3rd down conv rate / rank | 49.53% / 31 |
| Opponent TD percentage in red zone / rank | 60.34% / 19 |
Special Teams
| Kick returns | 25.6 Y/R (3rd), 34 returns, long 101 yards (14th), 1 TD |
| Punt returns | 9.3 Y/R (11th), 12 returns, long 16 yards (31st), 0 TDs |
| Kick return defense | 21.1 Y/R (14th), 26 returns (9th), 0 TDs |
| Punt return defense | 8.8 Y/R (19th), 26 returns, 0 TDs |
| Punting | 48.1 Y/P (5th) |
Turnovers (lost by O / recv’d by D / net / rank): 24 / 16 / -8 / 26
Penalties (total accepted # / rank): 79 / 6
Giants:
The Giants have scored just 251 points, which is second-worst in the NFL. They are 31st in total yards, 28th in passing yards, 26th in both rushing yards and rushing yards per attempt. They are last in the NFL in the red zone.
On defense, New York has surrendered 394 points, which is ranked 23rd. They are 20th in total yards surrendered, 17th in passing yards, 23rd in rushing yards, and 18th in rushing yards per attempt. They are ranked 20th in the NFL in third down defense, and 11th in the red zone.
Record: 4 – 12 (4th); Home: 3 – 4; NFC: 3 – 8; NFC East: 1 – 4)
All-time franchise record: 706 – 630 – 33
Offense
| Offensive rankings
|
31 (points) / 31 (total yards) / 31 (yards per game) / 30 (yards per play) / 28 (passing yards) / 32 (passing yards per att.) / 26 (rushing yards) / 26 (rushing yards per att.) |
| Points for | 251 |
| Yards per game | 293.9 |
| Passing | 562 att (14th); 336 comp; 59.8% comp per. (29th); 6.0 Y/A; 3109 net yds; 14 TDs (30th); 18 Int (30th) |
| Passing leader | Jones (361 att (30th), 2428 yds (27th), 64.3% comp per. (22nd), 10 TDs / 7 Int, 84.8 QB rating (26th)); Fromm (29 att, 107 yds, 41.4% comp. per., 0 TDs / 1 Int, 37.6 QB rating) |
| Reception leader | Engram (404 yds, 68 targets, 45 rec, 3 TDs (117th), 9.0 Y/C); Golladay (499 yds (80th), 71 targets (71st), 34 rec, 0 TDs, 14.7 Y/C) |
| Rushing | 394 att (24th); 1594 yds; 4.0 Y/A; 99.6 Y/G (26th); 8 TDs |
| Rushing leader | Booker (137 att, 579 yds (35th), 2 TDs (97th), 4.2 Y/A, long 31 yds); Barkley (151 att (27th), 563 yds, 2 TDs (97th), 3.7 Y/A, long 41 yds); Jones (62 att, 298 yds, 2 TDs (97th), 4.8 Y/A (9th), long 46 yds (29th)) |
| Sacks surrendered / rank | 35 / 15 |
| Ave time of possession / rank | 28:27 / 28 |
| 3rd down conversion rate / rank | 36.62% / 24 |
| TD percentage in red zone / rank | 45.95% / 32 |
Defense
| Defensive rankings | 23 (points) / 20 (total yards) / 20 (yards per game surrendered) / 20 (yards per play) / 17 (passing yards) / 7 (passing yards per att.) / 23 (rushing yards) / 18 (rushing yards per att.) |
| Points against | 394 |
| Yards per game surrendered | 356.7 |
| Opponent’s passing | 593 att (28th); 393 comp; 66.3% comp per. (23rd); 6.6 Y/A; 3740 net yds; 27 TDs; QB rating 89.5 (12th) |
| Opponent’s rushing | 455 att (23rd); 1967 yds; 4.3 Y/A; 14 TDs |
| Sacks / rank / Sack leader | 31 / 26 / Ojulari (8.0) |
| Tackles leader | Crowder (118) |
| Int / rank / Int leader | 15 / 12 / McKinney (5) |
| Opponent 3rd down conv rate / rank | 40.85% / 20 |
| Opponent TD percentage in red zone / rank | 52.94% / 11 |
Special Teams
| Kick returns | 20.3 Y/R (22nd), 29 returns, long 38 yards (25th), 0 TDs |
| Punt returns | 7.2 Y/R (27th), 25 returns, long 26 yards (18th), 0 TDs |
| Kick return defense | 17.9 Y/R (2nd), 35 returns, 0 TDs |
| Punt return defense | 8.9 Y/R (20th), 24 returns, 0 TDs |
| Punting | 43.8 Y/P (26th) |
Turnovers (lost by O / recv’d by D / net / rank): 27 / 22 / -5 / 24
Penalties (total accepted # / rank): 85 / 7
* Statistics courtesy of www.pro-football-reference.com, www.nflpenalties.com, www.nfl.com, www.teamrankings.com, www.espn.com, www.sportingcharts.com