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Redskins seek 3-0 start against defensively-challenged Giants

Sep 23, 2007 - 12:16 PM NY Giants (0-2) at Washington (2-0) Sunday 4:15 pm EDT

LANDOVER, Maryland (Ticker) -- The Washington Redskins appear to be gaining confidence. The New York Giants appear to have none.

The surprising Redskins seek a 3-0 start on Sunday when they host the New York Giants in a battle of NFC East rivals heading in opposite directions.

Picked to finish last in the NFC East, the Redskins posted an impressive 20-12 victory at Philadelphia on Monday night.

Jason Campbell threw for 209 yards and a touchdown and Clinton Portis added 69 yards and a score for Washington, who held the Eagles to four field goals.

"I just try to get better from game to game," Campbell said. "The more I get the opportunity to play, the better feel I get for the NFL game. It's only my ninth start, so I'm still early into this."

The Redskins will look to be the latest team to take advantage of the Giants' pourous defense, which has yielded a league-high 80 points in losses to the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers.

The 80 points are the most the Giants have surrendered in their first two games since giving up 86 to start the 1966 season. That year, New York finished 1-12-1.

Eli Manning started last week despite a bruised shoulder and played well in the first half, but the Giants had no answers for Brett Favre, who threw three touchdown passes in the second half. Favre completed his first 14 passes in the second half, including all 11 attempts in the third quarter.

The Giants, who rank 29th in total defense (423.0 ypg) and 31st against the pass (315.5 ypg), are looking to avoid their first 0-3 start since 1996 - Dan Reeves' last season as coach.

Washington started 3-0 in 2005 en route to its last playoff spot, but the Redskins slipped to 5-11 last season.

The Giants swept their long-time rivals last year. They posted a 19-3 win at home, then won on the road, 34-28, in Week 17 to clinch a playoff spot.