Real Redskins live blog: Redskins vs. Giants

Hello and welcome to the Real Redskins live bog for tonight's game between the Redskins and Giants.

I'll be commenting on what is going on during the game. Hit refresh frequently to get the latest updates.

This also is about what you think. Either hit the comments section below or hit Twitter and ask or comment to @Rich_Tandler. We'll bring the best comments and tweets into the blog here and discuss them.

Who do you think will win and why? Post it in the comments or hit me up on Twitter!

Fourth quarter

Summary—Well, well. The six-game losing streak vs. the Giants is history. They have a win in a game many marked down as a loss. The put up 28 points, more than they did in all but one of their 16 games last year. Three of their four touchdowns were scored by players who were not with the team last year.

One game does not make a new era, but today could have been a pretty good start towards one.

Check out more here later and our full coverage at www.CSNwashington.com

5:04—Just before the touchdown, Fred Davis caught a pass that gave him 105 yards receiving for the game. Can anyone guess that this is his contract year?

5:04—The Redskins finally finish what should be the clinching drive on their fifth try. After the blocked field goal, the Redskins move downfield to a four-yard touchdown pass from Grossman to Gaffney. It was a 10-play, 70-yard drive consuming 5:53—just about perfect.

8:37—They made a correction on the blocked field goal. It was Orakpo in the middle of the line, not Paul diving in from the outside.

10:57—We have Kerrigan with the TD, Neild with 1.5 sacks, and now Niles Paul gets a huge field goal block. Rookies on parade. 

13:03—A huge turnaround there as the Giants get the sack and strip and recover. First down at the Washington 27. A major, major blown opportunity.

14:00—The Redskins have a golden opportunity to finish this one off with the ball in Giants territory at the 42. 

Third quarter

Summary—I’ll look it up but I can’t remember the last time the Redskins had the lead against the Giants going into the fourth quarter. Redskins are playing well but they can’t seem to put the Giants away. We will see now as New York is working second and 18 from their own two.

1:00—Speaking waaay too soon in the previous comment. Back to back sacks push the Redskins well out of field goal range and the Redskins punt. A good boot by Rocca has the Giants back at their 10. All in all a pretty good series as it flipped field position back. 

3:37—Is karma going the Redskins way? After a second-down completion along the sideline was overturned, Grossman completed a 28-yard strike to Davis in traffic to convert the third and 11. They are inside the Giants 30. I’d say they were approaching field goal territory but . . .

5:11—Will this game be decided by a pair of fourth-down gambles. The Redskins converted a fourth and five on their way to scoring their first touchdown when Grossman hit Santana Moss with a 10-yard pass. The Giants just went for it on fourth and two at the Redskins 31 and Bradshaw got stuffed for no gain. 

8:43—The Redskin almost snag Big Mo there but Armstrong can’t hold on to a deep heave by Grossman and they will punt from their 43. Almost. 

11:22—The Redskins get the three and out they needed after the Kerrigan TD. Rookie Chris Neild gets a sack to help stop the Giants and force a punt. A penalty on the punt puts the Redskins back to their 15. We will see if they can hold on to the momentum here.

13:03—When the Redskins lined up for an all-out blitz on third and te I thought, “here comes a big play.” It came, and it was by the Redskins. Ryan Kerrigan tipped Manning’s pass, gathered it in at the nine, and rolled in for the touchdown. 21-14 Redskins early in the third. It’s good to get immediate dividends out of your first-round draft pick.

Second quarter

Halftime summary—The Redskins have put up as many points in this game already as they did in either entire game against the Giants last year. Tim Hightower is running well, the line is giving Grossman some time to throw and that is encouraging.

The defense needs to get more pressure on Manning. They have here and there but not with the consistency he needs. On one pass, I think he got called for intentional grounding because he fell asleep he had so much time. Jacobs and Bradshaw are going to post some yards on them—they have 33 and 28 yards, respectively—but they won’t beat you. It’s Eli to Nicks that will do that. 

:37—The boys come right back and in five plays in 80 yards to even the score. Grossman went five for five on the drive including a nice sort-of fade to Armstrong for the TD. Tied at 14 coming close to halftime. I call is a sort-of fade because it didn't have much arc on it but it was effective. 

2:48—Sometimes, the Giants vs. the Redskins looks like men vs. boys. That was the case on the Giants’ 85-yard TD drive. The New York receivers ran faster and jumped higher than the Redskins and Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs just powered their way through tacklers. Bradshaw finished it off with a six-yard run and it’s 14-7 Giants.

11:25—After a nice diving catch by Armstrong gets the Redskins down to the one, Hightower scoots in on the next play. 7-7.

By the way, Hightower has been on the field for every offensive snap. Mike Shanahan called him “an every-down back”, apparently  he meant it.

13:56—An early gamble as the Redskins go for it on fourth and five at the Giants 37. Rex to Moss for 10 yards and the Redskins have a fresh set of downs.

First quarter

Summary—A great, leaping catch by Fred Davis converts a second and 20 as he gains 23 on the play. I’m not sure even a healthy Chris Cooley would be able to made that catch. The Redskins are starting to move the ball after a couple of three and outs. They need a TD before the Giants score again.

4:34—And, after a perfect preseason, Graham Gano misses his first field goal of the year that counts. It was from 39 yards, right in the middle of the field. 

6:30—Hightower showing what the Redskins want to see from him—a good cut through the hole and a punishing finish to the run. It’s first down at the NYG 16.

9:53—Hakeem Nicks got behind both Reed Doughty and Kevin Barnes and Manning steps up in the pocket and heaves it deep. It’s good for 68 yards on third and 10 and Manning rolls in for the TD from two yards out. There was some pressure on Eli but none of it was up the middle and he stepped up and hit Nicks.

10:43—Back to back three and outs for the Redskins. First they try to run and can’t get it, then they punt after three incomplete passes. Grossman is 0-4. A third-down drop killed New York’s opening drive. 

 Pregame

3:30—We have the Redskins’ inactives, let’s take a look at some new or surprise players who are active.

--Niles Paul will be the fifth WR. His main contribution will come on special teams although the Redskins may have a five-WR set in their arsenal.

--Chris Neild will be the backup nose tackle and it is likely that he will see some snaps to give Barry Cofield a rest.

--Rob Jackson is the fourth outside linebacker. While he may see a few snaps on in some defensive packages he will be on most special teams.

--We knew that Erik Cook would be active for the first time in his career as he is the only reserve interior lineman.

--Brandyn Thompson is active, meaning that the Redskins have five cornerbacks dressed. This is probably to compensate for the fact that only three safeties will dress and that a CB might have to be pressed into duty as a safety. 

3:15—The players have not come our for warmups yet so we can’t see how Cooley looks. It seems odd that he would be playing given that he has not practiced fully since before the first preseason game. But perhaps the “limited” designation in practice was something of a smokescreen. He could take all but a few of his usual practice reps and still be listed as limited.

And, the Giants’ inactives have come out and Just Tuck is indeed one of them as are DE Osi Unemyiora, G Mitch Petrus, WR Jerrel Jernigan, T James Brewer, TE Travis Beckum and CB Prince Amukamara.

3:00—The Redskins have announced their inactives: WR Stallworth, S Landry, FB Sellers, LB White, OL Will Smith, WR Hankerson, DL Scott.

Note that TE Chris Cooley is not on the list, so he should play.

We do not have the Ravens’ inactive players yet but Jay Glazer of FOX is reporting that DE Justin Tuck will be inactive. He has eight career sacks vs. the Redskins

 

Comments

[Luqman Sh-Hersi]

I think the Redskins will win in a close game.

[Tim]

Looks great so far. Same ol redskins. A safety who bites on a route.

[Tim]

Same old gano. Can't make a kick

[Tim]

Offensive line seems overmatched. What's up ith that?

[mrthn]

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[Allen]

Reed Doughty has no business playing in the NFL (same comment as last year)

[Chip]

Doughty and McIntosh have really been strugging today. In fact, most of the DBs have been struggling. And no pressure from the DL.

[Allen]

Looks like the Giants O line is dominating our D line.

[Chip]

Nobody commented about Devin Thomas's brain cramp earlier on the kickoff. What will he do this time?

[Allen]

well, at least Armstrong is getting open.

[Allen]

if we are always running to our left because we run block better that way - I would hate to see how we block on the right

[Allen]

That was a nice tackle by Doughty, finally!

[indefeatedredskin]

Is it me or is hightower not running like he was in he preseason? it looks like hes trying to jump over people rather than running thru them.