Game Story: Giants @ Redskins

Lots of notes and tidbits from the Redskins and Giants game.

Fast Facts

Giants record: 8-8

This time last year: 11-5

Time of game: 3:02

Attendance: 86,141

Stat worth noting: During his 10-year career, Tiki Barber’s best ever rushing game came last season against Kansas City when he rumbled for 220 yards. In DC, he topped that with a 234-yard attack, which was the most rushing yards ever given up by the Redskins.

Stat worth noting II: New York was very solid on third down, converting eight-of-14 (57 percent) opportunities, including seven-of-nine in the first half.

Turning point: Eli Manning completed three third-down passes in the second quarter, helping to set up New York’s first two TDs. He hit Plaxico Burress for 14 on third-and-nine, Jim Finn for nine on third-and-eight and Burress for 12 on third-and-seven. The Giants never looked back from there.

Play to remember: On Washington’s first play after New York took a 17-7 lead Redskins QB Jason Campbell took off looking to run. After a three-yard gain, Brandon Short absolutely blasted Campbell, who was knocked out of the game until the start of the second half. Short’s hit was a microcosm of New York’s solid first-half defensive effort.

Play to forget: While the Giants offense is obviously scared to use trick plays, the Redskins didn’t hesitate. Receiver Antwaan Randle El, on an end around, threw a 48-yard touchdown pass to Santana Moss in the first quarter to give Washington a 7-3 lead. Somehow, Giants CB Sam Madison was unable to knock the ball away despite being right there in coverage with Moss.

Numbers

4 – Seasons that Tiki Barber has combined for more than 2,000 yards, tied for most in NFL history.

55 – Length in yards of Tiki Barber’s second touchdown run. That was the longest run of the season for Barber.

Quotebook

“It was a good, solid football game. I’m excited about winning.” – Giants coach Tom Coughlin

What went right

Tiki Barber, as usual, had his way with the Redskins. Barber finished with 234 yards in his final regular season game, including two TD runs of 15 and 55 yards. Barber got stronger as the game unfolded and Washington never found the answer for number 21.

After the Redskins marched at will with their opening possession, Brandon Short forced Ladell Betts to fumble and Fred Robbins recovered and returned it 67 yards to the Washington 12-yard line, setting up a field goal that opened the scoring.

Jared Lorenzen took a second-quarter snap and rushed for two yards to convert a third-and-one. That was the first time Lorenzen touched the ball this season.

What went wrong

Despite Brandon Short momentarily knocking him out of the game with a vicious hit, Redskins QB Jason Campbell was pretty good against Big Blue.

The Giants defense suffered its usual tackling problems with Osi Umenyiora, Carlos Emmons and Gibril Wilson, among others, all missing easy tackles.

We’re still not sure who was supposed to be covering Skins fullback Mike Sellers, who was as wide open as could be when he caught a one-yard TD pass in the fourth quarter that brought Washington within six points.

On three occasions, Eli Manning was unable to get the play run in time and had to call a timeout.