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Giants Vs. Redskins: Washington Scouting Report

The Giants and Redskins meet Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.

The New York Giants (7-6) host the Washington Redskins (4-9) Sunday at MetLife Stadium (1 p.m. ET/FOX). The Giants aim to avenge a season-opening 28-14 loss, but more importantly New York needs a victory to keep control of the NFC East. The Giants gained that control with last Sunday's 37-34 victory over the Dallas Cowboys.

Let's break down the Redskins, who started the season 3-1 but have lost eight of their last nine games.

OFFENSE

Rex Grossman was the Redskins' starting quarterback. Then he wasn't. Now, he is once again. Grossman has completed just 58 percent of his passes this season (202-of-348) with 12 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. He did, however, torch the Giants for 305 yards and two touchdowns in that season-opening 28-14 victory.

The Redskins are 31st in the league rushing the ball, but that number is misleading. ookie Roy Helu (582 yards, 4.7 yards per carry) has taken over as the primary back and has had three straight 100+ yard games including a 27-carry, 126-yard effort last Sunday against the New England Patriots.

The names at the top of the receiving corps have also changed in Washington. Tight end Chris Cooley is on IR and Santana Moss has just 37 catches. Fred Davis (59) and Jabar Gaffney (52) lead the Washington receivers in receptions. Moss has played in just nine games, but is healthy now and could be a major factor for Washington this week.

DEFENSE

London Fletcher leads the Redskins with 134 combined tackles. Rookie Ryan Kerrigan, who made a game-changing interception for a Pick Six against the Giants, in the season opener, has a team-leading 6.5 sacks. Brian Orakpo has six.

Barry Cofield, who left the Giants and signed a rich free-agent contract with the Redskins, looks out of place as a nose tackle in Washington's 3-4. He had 69 tackles and four sacks, both career bests, as a tackle in New York's 4-3 last season. This year he has only 32 tackles in 13 games, although he does have 2.5 sacks.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Brandon Banks is a dangerous return man. He leads the league in kickoff return yards with 1,021 and averages 10.6 yards per punt return.


Washington Redskins - Game Averages

Pts Yrds Pass Rush
Off 17.6 331.8 (17th) 237.9 (12th) 93.8 (31st)
Def 22.3 333.4 (10th) 219.8 (13th) 113.6 (17th)

-- See Big Blue View's Scouting Report on the game