Redskins 23, Giants 10: Giants Drop Game, NFC East Lead

New York Giants safety Antrel Rolle appeared for his weekly interview with WFAN's Joe Benigno and Evan Roberts on Monday, saying his comments following Sunday's loss to the Washington Redskins were not directed at any of his teammates in particular.

"First of all, my comments weren't directed to anyone in particular. And I know the media - as always - are trying to pinpoint one of our guys, which is Justin Tuck," Rolle told Benigno and Roberts. "At the end of the day, legitimate injuries are legitimate injuries. I'm not saying be Superman. But I'm just saying if you can give us a little bit more, give us a little bit more."

After the Giants lost 23-10 to Washington, Rolle said everyone on the Giants needs to give more and suggested that some players with injuries should practice through pain.

"It starts in practice, man. This s- starts in practice," Rolle said after the 23-10 loss. "And you know what? We need to have everyone on the field. If you're injured, so be it, you're injured. We understand that. But nicks and bruises? Everyone needs to be on the field because we're not getting better like this."    

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New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin said he “expected to see more.” Defensive tackle Chris Canty said he was “embarrassed.” Defensive end Justin Tuck said Sunday’s stunning 23-10 loss at MetLife Stadium to the Washington Redskins was “disappointing” and that he was “a little bit embarrassed.”

The Giants deserved to be ashamed of themselves Sunday. With their playoff destiny in their hands they were manhandled by a team that entered the game 4-9 and had lost seven of its last eight games.

“I just expected to see more. I expected to see quality, quality execution and really, quite frankly, we didn’t get much of that,” said Coughlin. " I can’t say it any more bluntly, I expected more."

“Knowing what we had at stake, it is disappointing,” said defensive end Justin Tuck. " wish I could give you the right answers to these questions but I think we are all searching for answers as far as why? I think we are all searching for a spark, I think we all are looking at ourselves and saying, ‘How can I do better?’ and that’s the tough thing because we haven’t seemed to have found a consistent answer. We have had stretches where we played okay but it is nothing that has been sustained."

— See all the post-game reaction on the Big Blue View Transcripts Page

New York Giants wide receiver Devin Thomas, who mainly plays on special teams, was injured and carted off the field on a stretcher at halftime of Sunday's 23-10 loss to the Washington Redskins. Thomas was injured while making a tackle on the final play of the first half.

According to a Twitter report from Ralph Vacchiano of the Daily News Thomas will have tests done to determine how serious the injury to his neck is:

WR Devin Thomas will undergo tests to determine if his neck injury was just a stinger or if he injured a disc. #NYG

Thomas was down for 10 minutes during halftime being attended to by team medical staff before being carted off the field to the locker room. The Giants' band, which was scheduled to play at halftime, needed to be cleared off the field because of the cart. Thomas was apparently able to move his legs before he was taken off of the field.

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With a chance to maintain control of the NFC East the New York Giants instead played a miserable game Sunday against the Washington Redskins, losing, 23-3, at MetLife Stadium. The Giants (7-7) now find themselves one game behind the Dallas Cowboys (8-6) with two games to play. 

The Giants have now lost five of their last six games, but still control their playoff destiny. They have no more margin for error -- or for stinkers like Sunday -- however. The Giants have to win their last two games, next Saturday against the New York Jets and then a season-ending New Year's Day game against the Cowboys. If they do that, they will win the division based on their two victories against Dallas.

After watching the Giants on Sunday against Washington, however, it is difficult to believe that they can pull it off. One week after an exhilarating comeback against Dallas, erasing a 12-point deficit to win in the closing minutes, the Giants were never really competitive against a Washington team that entered the game 4-9 and having lost seven of eight games.

Dropped passes, mis-communication and poor individual play in the secondary, untimely penalties, the inability of any lineman other than Jason Pierre-Paul to generate a push against the pass or the run were among the things that plagued the Giants. Similar to what has plagued them throughout the last month-and-a-half as they have seen a promising 6-2 start spiral to a desperate situation where they have to win their final two games to avoid missing the playoffs for the third straight season.

The eerie feeling that this game, like earlier losses at home against Seattle and Philadelphia, would be a struggle for the Giants started in the first quarter.

Trailing 3-0 Hakeem Nicks dropped a perfectly thrown ball from Eli Manning that would have been a 55-yard touchdown to give the Giants the lead. The Giants ended up punting. New York intercepted Washington quarterback Rex Grossman twice in the first quarter, but came away with no points on either turnover.

In the second quarter Grossman hit Santana Moss for a 20-yard touchdown pass, completing an 82-yard, 13-play drive. On the touchdown it appeared rookie Prince Amukamara and safety Kenny Phillips mis-communicated, leaving Moss wide open. Ongoing coverage mistakes were, of course, a source of much discussion with the Giants last week.

Later in the quarter the Redskins drove 41 yards in nine plays with Dorrell Young scoring on a six-yard run. Lawrence Tynes hit a 40-yard field goal with two seconds left in the first half to make the score 17-3.

In the second half Manning was intercepted on the second play of the half, leading to a 43-yard Graham Gano field goal. Tynes missed a 44-yard field goal with 5:38 left in the third quarter. Gano hit a 25-yarder to begin the fourth quarter, making the score 23-3.

Manning has led five fourth-quarter comebacks and six fourth-quarter victories this season, but there was no fourth-quarter miracle this time. The Giants scored a meaningless touchdown on a three-yard run by Ahmad Bradhsaw with 37 seconds left, but that was all.

Manning finished 23-of-40 for 257 yards and three interceptions for the Giants. Defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul had 16 tackles and one sack, but got little help from the rest of the defense after the first-quarter interceptions by Corey Webster and Kenny Phillips.

A 43-yard, third-quarter field goal by Graham Geno has helped the Washington Redskins take commanding lead over the New York Giants, which trail 20-3 entering the fourth quarter of a Week 15 NFL match up at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. Geno's second field goal of the game ended a four-play, nine-yard drive that was setup by an interception Redskins defensive back DeAngelo Hall, who picked off Giants quarterback Eli Manning and ran the ball to the New York 34-yard line.

The Giants (7-6) had a chance to put point on the score board, but kicker Lawerence Tynes missed a 44-yard field goal wide left.

The Redskins (4-9) will begin the fourth quarter with the ball at the Giants 17-yard line facing a 4th-and-10. Geno will more than likely be called upon to kick his third field goal of the day.

If the Giants want to get back into this, Manning will need to put together some more fourth-quarter magic.

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Two second-quarter touchdowns -- one passing, one running -- has helped the Washington Redskins earn a 17-3 halftime advantage over the New York Giants in a Week 15 NFC East contest at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. Wide receiver Santana Moss caught a 20-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Rex Grossman, while running back Darrel Young scored from six yards out, respectively, to give Washington (4-9) a 17-point a lead.

A 40-yard field goal by Giants kicker Lawrence Tynes with two seconds remaining in the first half trimmed the Redskins lead to just 14 points heading in the locker room. The final drive began with 1:00 remaining and at the Giants 32-yard line.

Moss' touchdown capped a 13-play, 82-yard drive that gave helped give the Redskins a 10-0 lead just 1:11 into the second quarter. On the next Washington drive, Young ended a 9-play, 41-yard march that was setup by a Eli Manning interception.

So far, the Giants (7-6) has compiled just 111 total yards of offense and coverted just six first downs, four of which came during New York's final drive of the first half. Manning has completed just 7-of-17 passes for 77 yards. Meanwhile, Grossman, who threw two first-quarter picks, is 10-of-17 for 122 yards.

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A 36-yard field goal by kicker Graham Geno has helped the Washington Redskins earn a slim advantage over the New York Giants, which trailed 3-0 after one quarter of play in a NFC East contest at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. Geno's kick capped a 10-play, 51-yard drive that took just 5:01 and gave the Redskins a slim lead with 9:19 to go in the first quarter. Redskins quarterback Rex Grossman has already thrown two interceptions, but the Giants offense has just totaled 29 yards and has yet to take advantage of the quarterback's mistakes.

The Giants (7-6) could have scored on their second possession of the game, but on a 3-and-7 situation at their own 46-yard line, wide receiver Hakeem Nicks, who was wide open on a fly route, couldn't haul in a deep pass from quarterback Eli Manning. If Nicks caught the ball, which smacked him in the facemask and bounced out of his hands, New York would be ahead 7-3. Instead, the Giants are down by three points.

On the first play of the game, Redskins quarterback Rex Grossman was picked off by Giants' defensive back Corey Webster, who caught a deep pass and was tackled for no gain at New York's 33-yard line. However, New York couldn't answer, as it went three-and-out on its first drive of the game.

Grossman tossed another deep interception on Washington's third possession of the quarter, this time to defensive back Kenny Phillips, but again the Giants went three-and-out and were forced to punt.

The Redskins will begin the second quarter with the ball at the Giants' 24-yard line and facing a 2nd-and-4 situation.

For more New York Giants coverage, visit our team page or our blog, Big Blue View.

The official Week 15 inactive list for the New York Giants is out, and as expected defensive end Justin Tuck will play Sunday, as the G-Men host NFC East rival the Washington Redskins at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. Tuck was listed as questionable due to a painful toe injury, but will try to play through it. Also playing will be running back Ahmad Bradshaw, who Thursday was listed as probable.

Here are the Giants inactives: defensive end Osi Umenyiora, center David Bass, linebacker Mark Herzlich, safety Derrick Martin, defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy, offensive tackle James Brewer and tight end Travis Beckum.

As for the Redskins, they will be without right tackle Jammal Brown, who is suffering from a groin injury. Also out for Washington is running back Ryan Torain, and safety LaRon Landry, who was placed on injured reserve just a few days ago with an Achilles injury.

For more New York Giants coverage, visit our team page or our blog, Big Blue View.

Despite facing child abuse allegations filed in the state of Alabama, New York Giants linebacker Michael Boley will play Sunday, as the G-Men (7-6) host NFC East rival the Washington Redskins (4-9) at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. On Saturday, the news broke that Boley is being accused of beating his five-year-old son between the dates of May 30 and June 5. The lawsuit was filed by the child's mother, who filed for an increase in child support in 2010.

"Boley has kept the Giants aware of this situation as it has unfolded, and the team said it will not affect Boley’s playing status for Sunday’s game against the Washington Redskins.

"We’re aware of this situation," Giants spokesman Pat Hanlon said in an e-mail to NFL Network. "An, yes, it’s accurate to say Boley has kept us abreast."

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told NFL.com, via e-mail, that the league has no comment at this time."

This season, Boley has played in 11 of the Giants 13 games. Boley has compiled 68 tackles and one sack.

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The New York Giants host the Washington Redskins today (1 p.m. ET/FOX) in a key game for New York as it tries to maintain control of the NFC East.

The Giants (7-6) can maintain their division lead with a victory. The Dallas Cowboys kept the pressure on the Giants Saturday night with a 31-15 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

KEYS TO THE GAME: The Giants much-maligned and often-toasted secondary must control Washington quarterback Rex Grossmna, who has passed for 336 and 305 yards the last two times these teams played … The Giants also need to slow Washington running back Roy Helu, who has three straight 100+ yard rushing games … Finally, the Giants need to avoid the letdowns that cost them games earlier this season against the Seattle Seahawks and Philadelphia Eagles.

Here are more things to watch for today.

KEY INJURIES: The Giants will again be without defensive end Osi Umenyiora and starting center David Baas. Defensive end Justin Tuck is a game-time decision with a serious toe injury.

THE LINE: The Giants are seven-point favorites.

New York Giants defensive end Justin Tuck has been labeled questionable for Sunday's game against the Washington Redskins.

Tuck, who injured his toe during a win against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday but played through the pain, has said he will likely be a game-time decision against Washington.

Tuck participated in Friday's practice to a limited extent and coach Tom Coughlin thought he looked "okay."

"He did okay," Tom Coughlin said. "He did a few things and he did okay. I don't think there's any setback."    

Tuck himself did not speak after the practice, but his shirt spoke volumes.

The Giants ruled out four players in addition to defensive end Osi Umenyiora, who was ruled out Thursday. Linebacker Mark Herzlich, center David Baas, tight end Travis Beckum and safety Derrick Martin will join Umenyiora on the sidelines against the Redskins.

Running back Ahmad Bradshaw, safety Kenny Phillips and linebacker Spencer Paysinger are all considered probable.

For more New York Giants coverage, visit our team page or our blog, Big Blue View.

The New York Giants continue to have injury issues at defensive end.

New York ruled defensive end Osi Umenyiora out of Sunday's game against the Washington Redskins, with head coach Tom Coughlin saying "evidently he is not going to make it this week." Defensive end Justin Tuck said he could be a game-time decision.

Coughlin hopes Tuck will practice on Friday. The end has been playing with an injured toe, and said this week the injury was tougher than he initially let on.

Umenyiora rode the stationary bike during Thursday's practice, but will not play Sunday for the third straight week. The 30-year old Umenyiora, who has recorded seven sacks this season, injured his ankle in Week 12 against the New Orleans Saints.

Center David Baas (neck), tight end Travis Beckum (chest), running back Ahmad Bradshaw (foot), linebacker Mark Herzlich (ankle) and safety Derrick Martin (back) also missed practice.

For more Giants coverage, visit our team page or our blog, Big Blue View. 

A host of New York Giants missed Wednesday's practice in preparation for Sunday's tilt with the Washington Redskins, including defensive lineman Justin Tuck.

Tuck played through the pain of an injured right toe against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night, but required an MRI following the game. Before receiving the results of his MRI, Tuck said he expected to play against Washington. Coach Tom Coughlin would not go into detail about the MRI results, but hinted that perhaps the results were relatively positive.

"I can't give you all of the medical terms, but it's not going to be anything to... It's discomfort. It's sore. It's an issue, but hopefully it's going to be able to get under control," Coughlin said during his press conference on Wednesday.

Center David Baas (neck), tight end Travis Beckum (chest), running back Ahmad Bradshaw (foot), linebacker Mark Herzlich (ankle), safety Derrick Martin (back) and defensive end Osi Umenyiora (ankle/knee) also missed practice.

Safety Kenny Phillips returned to practice for the first time since spraining his MCL against the Green Bay Packers two weeks ago.

For more Giants coverage, visit our team page, or our blog Big Blue View. 

New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin has had to answer questions before about controversial remarks made by safety Antrel Rolle. So, he could not have been surprised Wednesday when he was asked about Rolle’s latest tirade, this one during Rolle’s Tuesday appearance on WFAN.

Rolle, of course, ripped NBC’s Cris Collinsworth — as well as pretty much calling out his coaches and teammates on the beleaguered Giants’ defense.

Here is part of what Rolle said:

“This is a message to myself, this is a message to the coaches, this is a message to anyone who has anything to do with our defense. Everyone needs to get on the same page and clean it up right now. There’s no room for error at this point.”

During his weekly meeting with the media on Wednesday, Coughlin called Rolle “fiery” and said he is “honest in terms of his ability to reflect on himself and others.”

If he has any problems dealing with the talkative veteran safety, Coughlin certainly did not let on.

“He’s been a very, very easy guy to talk to. He makes it easy for you. He’ll come upstairs and visit with me. He’ll come and sit down and talk. He wants to do it the right way, believe me. He wants to do things right and be good,” Coughlin said.

Coughlin expressed “grave concern” earlier this week about some of the big plays being given up by the defense, and he appeared to address Rolle’s comment that “everyone needs to get on the same page.”

"I just spoke to the team this morning about each one of us, including the coaches, myself, have got to dig down deep now because we want more. We want better production. We want to play better," Coughlin said. “We want to be in position where perhaps the way to phase it is that these games don’t have to come down to the last play of the game. We’re all striving for that. That’s what we talked about in terms of team, not just any one individual.”

Jason Pierre-Paul’s outstanding performance in the Giants’ victory Sunday night in Dallas has earned him the NFC Defensive Player of the Week award.

Pierre-Paul, the Giants’ second-year end, was the dominant defensive player in the Giants’ 37-34 victory. He led the team with eight tackles (six solo), including two sacks of Tony Romo. The first resulted in a safety for the Giants’ first points. The second sack was on a third down in the third quarter and forced the Cowboys to punt from their own 43-yard line. Pierre-Paul also forced a Felix Jones fumble that was recovered by Deon Grant and led to a field goal. He secured the victory by blocking Dan Bailey’s 47-yard field goal attempt with one second left in the game. If good, the kick would have tied the score and sent the game into overtime.

Pierre-Paul, the Giants’ first-round draft choice in 2010, has 12.5 sacks this season, the highest total by a Giant since Osi Umenyiora had 13.0 in 2007. His field goal block was the first by a Giant since Terrell Thomas blocked a David Akers’ attempt at Philadelphia on Nov. 21, 2010.

Pierre-Paul is the second Giant to win the Defensive Player of the Week award this season. Mathias Kiwanuka won the honor after the Giants’ Week 9 victory in New England, where he had 12 tackles (six solo) and an interception. Pierre-Paul is the first Giants defensive end to win the award since Justin Tuck in Week 1 of the 2009 season.

New York Giants safety Antrel Rolle would prefer that you not criticize his play. Especially if you do not know exactly what his coaches ask him to do on every down.

Rolle launched into a diatribe against NFL announcers on Tuesday during his weekly section on WFAN, saying many commentators develop opinions despite not necessarily knowing what schemes the defenses are trying to play. Despite never mentioning Cris Collinsworth's name, it is expected that Rolle's rant was in response to some harsh criticism levied by Collinsworth during New York's victory against the Dallas Cowboys.

"Whenever there's a big play and you're the safeties, you're always the one who gets blamed and gets finger-pointed," Rolle said. "It's wrong because he commentators don't know what coverage we're in. They don't know how we're playing our defense. They don't know that I'm disguising, showing a Cover 2, but I'm really supposed to drop down and play a cover 3. They don't know.     

After one play during the Cowboys game, Collinsworth said Rolle had been "barbecued" and called out the Giants for their "amateurish coverage."

"It drives me crazy," said Rolle. "When I speak about this, I'm not speaking about just on behalf of Antrel Rolle - I'm speaking on behalf of people across the league. I don't care what position it is. Commentators always want to point the finger as if they know what they're doing and they know what they're talking about. But in reality, they don't half of the time.

"I'm saying that if there's a coverage and I'm supposed to be in a certain area, best believe I'm going to be where I'm supposed to be. Like I was Sunday night. Like I was against San Francisco. Like I was against the Packers. And for them to come out and say ‘Oh, Antrel Rolle got burned.' No, Antrel Rolle didn't get burned. Antrel Rolle was exactly where he was supposed to be. So know what the hell you are talking about at the end of the day."    

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