Week 17 Game Recap: New York Giants 34, Washington Redskins 28

What you need to know

New York Giants

RB Tiki Barber posted 258 total yards and three touchdowns carrying the Giants’ offense. He ran over, around, and through the Redskins defense with multiple long gainers. Given that the Giants were afraid to throw the ball late only makes it more remarkable that Barber was able to seal the win with a 50 yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.

QB Eli Manning was all over the board with his consistency. He made several nice passes flashing great arm strength and deep accuracy. However, he also threw many questionable passes that had no chance to be completed including several near interceptions. It was very apparent that the Giant coaching staff wasn’t comfortable allowing him to throw the ball late in the game, even when the Redskins pulled to within six points in the fourth quarter. They were going to live or die with RB Tiki Barber.

Washington Redskins

QB Jason Campbell was shaky in the first half and threw a bad interception to start the third quarter, but he calmed down and nearly brought the Redskins back in the fourth quarter. He used his legs to make some plays and buy some time in the pocket scrambling in the third quarter before completing fourteen of fifteen passes during one stretch, and the one incompletion was a ball that Campbell chose to throw away.

RB Ladell Betts ran with a combination of power and speed posting 144 total yards and a touchdown. Even though he fumbled killing the first Washington drive the Redskin coaching staff stuck with him only giving backup RB T.J. Duckett a few scattered carries. Betts also contributed big in the passing game with five late receptions including a 34 yard screen play.

WR Santana Moss led all receivers with six catches for 103 receiving yards. He displayed his combination of great speed and ability to gain separation from defensive backs. Further, he flashed great hands making difficult catches on the sidelines while also the ability to make adjustments to his routes while the ball was in the air.

What you ought to know

QB Eli Manning, Pass: 12 - 26 - 101 - 1 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 3 - -2 - 0

Manning was erratic early on. He flashed the arm strength that allows him to drill the fundamental throws like the fifteen yard out route, but nearly threw two early interceptions that hit defenders in the hands. Just before the second Barber touchdown Manning stood tall in the pocket and delivered a beautiful deep pass down the middle of the field to WR Sinorice Moss. Moss wasn’t able to make a play on the ball, but Manning took a big hit from the blindside before delivering the long pass. On the final two plays before halftime he put two deep passes on WR Plaxico Burress in the end zone. Burress caught the first one, but offsetting flags were thrown on Burress and the cornerback because of the hand fighting and pushing. He lofted another deep pass to WR Tim Carter midway through the third quarter down the left side. Carter did a lot of acting drawing a pass interference flag leading to Manning’s touchdown pass on a quick slant to Carter on the following play. While the Redskins were coming back in the fourth quarter Manning was allowed to attempt only two passes choosing to stick with RB Tiki Barber.

QB Jared Lorenzen, Rush: 1 - 2 - 0

Lorenzen stepped in for starting QB Eli Manning for a single play late in the first half. On a third and one play Lorenzen ran a quarterback sneak for two yards picking up a first down. Later on the same drive Manning ran his own quarterback sneak picking up a first down as well.

RB Tiki Barber, Rush: 23 - 234 - 3, Rec: 3 - 24 - 0 (4 targets)

After consecutive four yard runs at the start of the second Giants’ drive Barber saved New York by seeing that the play clock was running down and called a time out from the backfield. On the third and two play he burst through the right side of the line for a 32 yard gain. He showed great balance after contact keeping his feet and turning it into a longer run. He scored the first Giant touchdown at the start of the second quarter from fifteen yards out. In typical Barber fashion he bounced off contact keeping his feet as he fought through the line of scrimmage and into the secondary. His second touchdown run went for 55 yards up the gut before he broke it to the left sideline. He did a nice job of keeping his knees up stepping out of a tackle at the line of scrimmage before breaking it to the outside. He ripped a 33 yard carry off left end to open their last drive at the end of the third quarter, but it was called back by a holding penalty. He showed great patience on his third touchdown run that went for 50 yards. When he got to the line there was nowhere to go, but Barber kept his feet moving and waited for the hole to open up before he sprinted through the Redskin defense.

RB Brandon Jacobs, Rush: 6 - 25 - 0

Jacobs spelled starting RB Tiki Barber only after a few of Barber’s long runs. He nearly got a gift touchdown at the end of regulation, but New York opted to take a knee three times on the goal line to end the game.

RB Jim Finn, Rush: 1 - 2 - 0, Rec: 2 - 14 - 0 (2 targets)

Finn got his first two touches at the start of the second quarter. With the Giants pinned deep in their own territory Finn had a short carry and caught a nine yard pass digging them out of a deep hole. His only other touch was a five yard reception in the second quarter.

WR Tim Carter, Rec: 2 - 14 - 1 (9 targets)

Carter started opposite WR Plaxico Burress. He saw his first two targets at the end of the second New York drive. Both passes were plays that could have been completed. He had the first pass go off his hands. He let the other get into his body and he wasn’t able to use his body to shield off the defender on the play. Carter was targeted in the back corner of end zone just before the first Barber touchdown. He made the reception, but couldn’t keep his feet inbounds on the diving attempt. He was targeted on a deep pass on the next drive and drew an illegal contact penalty just before the second Barber touchdown run. On the final Giants’ drive of the first half Carter was targeted working two short routes when New York went into the hurry up offense. He caught one ball on a quick comeback route. Carter drew a pass interference flag at the start of the second quarter on a deep pass from Manning. It was one hundred percent showmanship and acting as he flopped to the ground. On the very next play he pulled in a touchdown pass on a quick slant.

WR Plaxico Burress, Rec: 2 - 26 - 0 (7 targets)

Burress saw his first target on a quick hitter at the line of scrimmage on a third and long, but couldn’t handle the pass from QB Eli Manning. At the start of the second quarter Burress made two nice receptions on comeback routes just before each of the Barber touchdown runs. On each play he did a nice job of catching the ball out in front of his body with his hands. Manning put a deep ball on him just before halftime on the goal line. Burress made the reception, but was called for offensive pass interference because he pushed off. There was a defensive pass interference flag thrown on the play as well. They went right back to him on the next play on what could have easily been called defensive pass interference again. He wasn’t able to connect with Manning on any of his three targets in the second half. Two of those passes were thrown at his feet.

WR David Tyree, Rec: 2 - 15 - 0 (3 targets)

Tyree pulled in his first target at the end of the first quarter. QB Eli Manning threw a pass low and behind him on a second and five play. Tyree did a nice job of reaching behind and low securing the pass picking up the first down.

WR Sinorice Moss (2 targets)

Moss saw his first target at the start of the second quarter. QB Eli Manning put the pass into the ground not giving Moss a chance to make a play. His second target was a deep pass down the center of the field. Manning did a nice job of putting the pass out in front of Moss, but he wasn’t able to go up high and make the play with a defender draped all over him.

TE Visanthe Shiancoe, Rec: 1 - 8 - 0 (1 targets)

Shiancoe didn’t see any passing targets in the first half, but he did make his presence felt as a blocker opening up holes for RB Tiki Barber. His caught his only passing target on the first Giant drive of the third quarter converting a third and five with a short eight yard cross.

TE Jeremy Shockey

Did not play in this game due to injury.

PK Jay Feely 2 - 2 FG, 4 - 4 XP, 10 points

There was nothing of significance to report from the New York kicking game.

NYG Rush Defense

RB Ladell Betts posted 4.5 yards per carry and QB Jason Campbell was able to escape from the pocket running for two crucial first downs. The Giants were pushed around at the point of attack on most plays. They were able to close the gaps on just a handful of running plays allowing Betts to consistently fall forward for positive yards. LB Brandon Short laid some serious hits on Redskins in the game. He forced the Betts fumble early in the game and put Campbell on the sideline with a ferocious hit at the end of the second quarter.

NYG Pass Defense

Other than a sack midway through the second quarter, the New York pass rush was virtually non-existent. They allowed QB Jason Campbell to stand in the pocket and dissect the Giant secondary throughout the second half. If not a for a diving tip of a pass on fourth down by SS Gibril Wilson the Giants might have been spending a long off season wondering how they lost so many games late.

QB Jason Campbell, Pass: 21 - 31 - 220 - 2 TD / 1 INT, Rush: 3 - 30 - 0

Campbell started the game by completing two short passes to convert third downs on their starting drive. On the same drive he was hit on a pass play in the pocket for what appeared to be a sack, but escaped and turned the negative into a 12 yard run and a first down. Campbell threw consecutive very poorly thrown balls at the end of the first quarter. He was very short skipping in a pass to WR Santana Moss after Moss had created great separation on a deep comeback route. On the very next play he nearly threw an interception intended for WR Antwaan Randle Ell who was completely covered. Campbell missed Moss deep down the left sideline off a swing route. Had he laid the ball deep out in front of Moss he might have put up a huge play. Near the end of the second quarter Campbell dropped back into a collapsing pocket and opted to scramble. As he was starting his slide he took a shot from LB Brandon Short very reminiscent of the hit that Trent Green took earlier this season. Campbell’s head smacked hard onto the ground where he remained for quite a while before he was replaced by backup QB Mark Brunell. Campbell returned at the start of the second half and promptly threw an interception. The pass intended for Moss was very far behind him on a deep cross. Campbell continues to make enough plays with his legs to stay on the field. He broke a tackle and scrambled fifteen yards converting a long third down and followed that up by leaving the pocket on a fourth down gaining time so he could throw back across his body on his touchdown pass to RB Ladell Betts. The touchdown pass appeared to breathe some confidence into Campbell. On the following drive he completed four consecutive passes to his wide receivers down field. The first was a beautiful floater to Randle El for 24 yard. Campbell did a nice job of stepping up into the pocket and put great touch on the pass. After his interception he completed fourteen of his next fifteen passes pulling the Redskins to within six points twice in the fourth quarter, but it was too little too late as the fell just short of the comeback.

QB Mark Brunell, Rush: 1 - 6 - 0

Brunell stepped in for starting QB Jason Campbell near the end of the second quarter when Campbell took a ferocious hit and took a long time to make it to the sidelines. He went back to the bench after one series finishing the first half.

RB Ladell Betts, Rush: 20 - 92 - 0, Rec: 6 - 52 - 1 (7 targets)

Betts was featured at the start of the game by the Redskins with six touches, but only managed nine yards on five carries and fumbled killing a long and deep drive by Washington. The Redskins stuck with him and he exploded for 9 and 21 yard runs. Washington opened the second half with two short passes to Betts. The first was off a fake end around setting up a screen pass for Betts, but it was sniffed out well by the defense and ended up being a five yard loss. He caught two more passes on their next drive including a seven yard touchdown. Betts was replaced at the end of the long drive when the Redskins got to the goal line. They gave him a carry from the three yard line, but he only gained a yard. Backup RB T.J. Duckett got the one yard touchdown while Betts rested on the sideline. The same thing nearly happened on their next drive. Betts took a 34 yard screen pass to the five yard line. Duckett stepped in for one play, but Betts was back on the field after a three yard loss.

RB Mike Sellers, Rush: 2 - 4 - 0, Rec: 2 - 11 - 1 (2 targets)

Sellers caught a ten yard pass on the first Redskins’ drive. He followed that up with a first down two yard run on their next possession. Late in the game on the goal line the Redskins went with play action and QB Jason Campbell hit Sellers all alone for an easy touchdown. Sellers went in motion out of the backfield, but nobody from the Giants’ defense went with him.

RB T.J. Duckett, Rush: 3 - -4 - 1

Duckett entered the game during the initial Redskins’ series. They ran a draw play for him, but he was met and stopped at the line of scrimmage. He stepped in again to give starting RB Ladell Betts a quick breather late in the third quarter and popped a nice fourteen yard run up the gut, but it was called back and negated on a face mask penalty. Duckett pulled Washington to within a score when he plunged in for a one yard touchdown midway through the fourth quarter. Duckett got another carry on the next drive from the five yard line, but lost three yards and gave way to Betts on the next play. Washington ran play action to Duckett on the touchdown pass to Sellers.

WR Santana Moss, Rec: 6 - 103 - 1 (10 targets)

Moss saw his first target near the end of the first Washington drive. He ran a 12 yard in and did a good job of using his body to shield off the cornerback. On the following drive he made a great adjustment coming back to the ball on a deep pass from WR Antwaan Randle El for a 48 yard touchdown. He ran a very nice comeback route near the end of the first quarter creating great separation, but QB Jason Campbell missed him poorly skipping the pass into Moss on the play. He was also open down the left sideline on his next target off a swing route, but Campbell didn’t get the ball out in front of him allowing him to utilize his speed. He caught three balls as the Redskins mounted a fourth quarter comeback attempt. One was a fantastic side line route where he barely kept his toes in bounds and secured the ball with one hand. Another was a deep in where he took a big hit from the safety but was still able to maintain possession.

WR Antwaan Randle El, Pass: 1 - 1 - 48 - 1 TD / 0 INT, Rec: 3 - 53 - 0 (6 targets)

Randle El saw his first target deep down the left sideline on the second Washington possession. The cornerback got his arms tangled up with Randle El on what could have been called a pass interference penalty. Two plays later Randle El took and end around option to the right, but stopped and heaved a long touchdown pass to WR Santana Moss. He made his first receptions at the start of the fourth quarter. QB Jason Campbell floated a deep cross 24 yards to Randle El making a nice over the shoulder catch. He followed that up with a thirteen yard hitch on a first and fifteen.

WR David Patten (2 targets)

Patten saw his first two targets on the final Washington drive. Neither pass was close to being completed as he didn’t have a chance to make a play on either throw.

WR Brandon Lloyd

Lloyd did not play in this game.

TE Chris Cooley, Rec: 5 - 49 - 0 (5 targets)

Cooley caught his first pass near the end of the first Washington drive. He was nearly cut down at the line of scrimmage after a quick pass in the left flat, but did a nice job of hurdling the defender picking up extra yards. Cooley pulled in two more passes on the Washington touchdown drive in the third quarter. He caught all five of his targets in the game.

PK Shaun Suisham 0 - 0 FG, 4 - 4 XP, 4 points

Suisham missed out on a field goal attempt late in the game when Washington opted to go for it on fourth down from the seven yard line.

WAS Rush Defense

RB Tiki Barber torched the Redskins’ defense. They allowed him to post an eye-popping ten+ yards per carry on 23 touches. Linebackers and defensive backs had opportunities to stop Barber in the hole on many carries, but they allowed Barber to run through and step out of tackles. Even late in the game when it was apparent that the Giants weren’t going to let QB Eli Manning throw the ball out of fear Barber was still able to post the game winning touchdown on a 50 yard carry.

WAS Pass Defense

DE Andre Carter was able to sack QB Eli Manning to kill the opening New York drive, but the Redskin pass rush wasn’t able to bring even mild pressure through the rest of the game. Manning was able to stand in the pocket surveying the field and was often able to calmly move to second and even third options. However, the secondary was able to break up pass plays by breaking on balls quickly on multiple plays. The Giants tested Washington deep on many plays, but weren’t able to connect as New York defenders were able to make plays.