Redskins at Giants

Washington and New York meet for the first time this season in a matchup of two NFC East teams vying to stay in the postseason chase. The Redskins (5-6 straight up, 5-5-1 against the NFL spread) have been outscored this season by 47 points (262-215), but can remain in the playoff hunt with a road victory.
New York (7-4 SU, 5-6 ATS) is tied with Philadelphia atop the division standings. The Giants have outscored their opposition by 37 points (277-240), and lead the league in pass defense by allowing just 186.4 yards per game.
These two rivals conclude the regular season against each other Jan. 2 in Washington.
Don Best's Real-Time Odds opened New York as a seven-point home ‘chalk’ over Washington, with the total set at 43 ½. FOX Sports will provide coverage of Sunday’s NFC East matchup beginning at 10 a.m. PT from New Meadowlands Stadium.
Washingto Redskins dropped to 1-3 SU and ATS its last four games after falling to Minnesota last weekend as a one-point home underdog, 17-13. The combined 30 points never seriously threatened the 43 ½-point closing total, helping the ‘under’ cash the second consecutive contest.
The Redskins made things interesting with a pair of fourth-quarter field goals, but ended the game trailing the Vikings in first downs (17-10), rushing yards (137-29), turnovers forced (1-0) and time of possession (33:05-26:55).
Quarterback Donovan McNabb was 21-of-35 passing for 211 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Running back James Davis paced an anemic ground game with six carries for 11 yards, while tight end Chris Cooley caught five passes for 49 yards.
New York snapped a two-game SU losing skid by upending Jacksonville last weekend as an eight-point home favorite, 24-20. The combined 44 points slithered ‘over’ the 43 ½-point closing total, helping the ‘over’ improve to 5-1 the previous six games. The Giants have now failed to cover their last three outings.
New York Giants managed a field goal in each of the first three quarters before exploding for 15 points in the fourth quarter. The Giants prevailed despite trailing the Jaguars in first downs (26-17), total plays (73-50), rushing yards (207-135) and time of possession (35:27-24:33). New York did force a pair of turnovers (one fumble, one interception), while not coughing up the ball.
Signal caller Eli Manning was 14-of-24 passing for 226 yards with two touchdowns, while his favorite target was tight end Kevin Boss who caught three passes for 74 yards and a score. Running back Brandon Jacobs led the ground game with 14 carries for 87 yards in the victory.
New York has won the previous four meetings with Washington SU, while posting a 3-0-1 ATS ledger. The Giants swept last year’s season series as a six-point home ‘chalk,’ 23-17, and as a one-point road favorite, 45-12. The ‘over’ cashed in both meetings, ending a string of four straight ‘under’ outings. The Redskins are 6-2-1 ATS their last nine road games. New York has seen the ‘over’ go 13-3 its past 16 games versus NFC East opponents, and the ‘over’ is also 8-2 its previous 10 home games.
Washington linebacker Rocky McIntosh (thigh) and guard Derrick Dockery (knee injury) are ‘probable’ versus the Giants, while free safety LaRon Landry (Achilles) is ‘doubtful.’ Running back Ryan Torain (hamstring) and cornerback Carlos Rogers (hamstring) are ‘questionable.’ The Redskins follow this contest with a home game against Tampa Bay.
New York wide receivers Hakeem Nicks (leg) and Steve Smith (pectoral) are expected to miss this matchup with the Redskins. Cornerback Aaron Ross (back), running back Ahmad Bradshaw (lower body), center Shaun O’Hara (foot), guard Shawn Andrews (back) and cornerback Will Blackmon (chest) are ‘questionable.’ The Giants’ next game will be at Minnesota before returning home to tackle Philadelphia.
Sunday’s forecast for East Rutherford, New Jersey calls for partly cloudy skies and a 10 percent chance of precipitation, with a high of 44 degrees and a low of 30.