By Ryan O’Halloran
In the aftermath of the Redskins’ 28-14 win over the Giants to open the season in Week 1, there were so many positive signs. Unfortunately for the Redskins as they prepare for the re-match with New York, many of them didn’t pan out.
1. They didn’t commit penalties.
The Redskins had only three flags for 25 yards against the Giants – Jammal Brown holding, Rob Jackson illegal block and Rex Grossman delay of game.
In the first four games, the Redskins (3-1) had 20 penalties; the last five games, they’ve had 36 penalties for 346 yards.
2. They cashed in on red zone opportunities
The Redskins were 3 for 4 inside the 20-yard line …
Gano wide right on 39-yard field goal, Tim Hightower 1-yard touchdown run, Grossman 6-yard pass to Anthony Armstrong and Armstrong 4-yard TD pass to Jabar Gaffney.
For the season, the Redskins are 18-for-41 on scoring touchdowns in the red zone (43.9 percent), ranked 26th in the NFL.
3. They pressured the quarterback.
The Redskins sacked Eli Manning four times in the opener. That continued for most of the season, but with one sack in the last two games, they’ve fallen to a tied for 12th (34) this year.
4. They put the Giants into third-and-long opportunities.
New York was 1-of-10 on third down and they faced eight situations where it needed seven or more yards. The results:
- 3-8-44: Manning X
- 3-10-30: Manning to Nicks 68P
- 3-18-44: Manning X
- 3-10-18: Manning INT (Kerrigan TD)
- 3-15-15: Manning to Bradshaw 10P
- 3-7-W37: Manning to M’ham 6P
- 3-18-2: Manning to Ware 3P
- 3-22-30: Manning X
The Redskins enter the week 15th in third down defense (opponents convert 37.1 percent of the time).
5. They made a Sudden Change Touchdown Play
In his NFL debut, linebacker Ryan Kerrigan avoided a cut block, batted up Manning’s pass, intercepted it and scored on a 9-yard touchdown.
The Redskins are last in turnover ratio (minus-14) and that remains the defense’s only touchdown this year.
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