Banged-up Giants go against banged-up Redskins

Nov 22, 2017 - 10:50 PM EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Although the New York Giants and the Washington Redskins, who meet at FedExField Thanksgiving night, are very familiar with each other considering they play in the same division, don't be surprised if each team equips its players with a flip card to help the players figure out who is who on the opposite side of the ball.

Such has been the year for the Giants and the Redskins. Both teams have been hit hard by injuries, thus making it somewhat challenging for each other to get a good feel for what the other team likes to do.

But that's sort of where the similarities end. The Giants (2-8) are coming off an emotional overtime victory over the Chiefs, their second win in their last five games.

The Redskins (4-6), meanwhile have lost four of their last six games since returning from their Week 5 bye.

After being embarrassed in games against the Rams and the 49ers, the Giants finally seem to have had enough of the ineptness, and banded together to put forth their finest effort of the season last week, one they hope to build on.

"You know, we played good football," head coach Ben McAdoo said. "We learned that we were capable of doing that again and we played at a high level. We did it in all three phases. We were physical. We were heavy-handed. They enjoyed playing. Playing for each other. Playing with each other. It was great to see."

They also got a look at some of their younger players who delivered the goods in the absence of the veterans in front of them who were missing due to injury.

For example, offensive lineman Chad Wheeler, an undrafted rookie free agent out of USC, made his first start last week at right tackle against Justin Houston of the Chiefs and pretty much kept Houston quiet.

This week, with starting right guard D.J. Fluker's right foot in a walking boot due to a toe injury, the Giants will be starting Jon Halapio at right guard.

McAdoo, who always says there is no time to feel sorry for themselves when they are injured, said the key for the offensive line, which by the way will field its eighth different combination Thursday, has been winning the battle on the early downs.

"When you take a look, I believe it's the last four weeks we've been winning the down on first and second down at the clip," he said. "We want to win the down when we're running the football. I think it's exciting to see the progress we're making up front. We've had a lot of guys playing, a lot of guys being a part of it, a lot of different runners in there as well. But, it's exciting for us."

Washington's offensive line is also banged up, most notably left tackle Trent Williams, who is playing with a knee injury that ultimately could require surgery. But if Giants defensive end Olivier Vernon, who is dealing with a shoulder ailment, is licking his chops about facing a less than 100 percent Williams, he wasn't letting on.

"He's a very good player that knows how to adapt and even if he's hurt," Vernon said. "You won't be able to tell at all because that's how his playing style is, and I know he is going to show up and play regardless of what he has going on."

Washington will also be without receiver Terrelle Pryor Sr. and running back Chris Thompson, both of whom were placed on injured reserve this week, and are also monitoring injuries to tight end Jordan Reed (hamstring), center Chase Roullier (hand), and linebacker Martell Spaight (ankle) just to name a few.

"We don't spend much time worried about that," McAdoo said when asked about the injuries on both teams. "We play with who we can play with. We're going to have 46. They're going to have 46. We'll be ready for who they throw out there and our 46 will be ready to go."

SERIES HISTORY: 169th regular-season meeting. Giants lead series, 98-66-4. The Giants have split the season series with the Redskins the last two years. The Giants, who last played on Thanksgiving in 2009 (a 26-6 loss to the Broncos) are 7-4-3 in Thanksgiving games.

--When an offensive lineman doesn't get his name in the papers and news stories, that's usually a good thing.

But as far as Giants defensive end Olivier Vernon is concerned, teammate Ereck Flowers, the embattled left tackle, deserves to get some long overdue praise for his play this season.

"I've seen it since the beginning of the season as far as him getting his technique right," said Vernon, who goes against Flowers in practice. "I wish he'd get more credit than what he's been getting. People always want to point out the bad; they never want to talk about the good."

That reluctance of the critics is likely due to the sluggish start that Flowers, the No. 9 overall pick in the 2015 draft, has been on. In each of his first two seasons, the former Miami Hurricane not only led the Giants in penalties, he was also consistently ranked at or near the bottom of the league among tackles per Pro Football Focus.

At the start of this season, Flowers did little to quell concerns that he might be the latest and biggest bust of general manager Jerry Reese's era. In his first two games, Flowers allowed four sacks, including three in Week 2 against the Lions' Ziggy Ansah.

Since then, Flowers has clamped down on protecting the quarterback's blind side. He hasn't allowed any sacks and has only surrendered just three hits from Week 3 onward.

"He's a young player who works hard and is getting better at his craft each and every day," head coach Ben McAdoo said. "He's improved in meetings, he's improved on the field. He has his ups and downs just like the other players do, but he's getting better.

Flowers, who politely declined to speak, would apparently prefer to let his play do his talking.

"One thing I know about him is he's a worker so he's going to work and keep his mouth closed unless he's asking a question," said Vernon, who said he offers Flowers help when he's asked. "He wouldn't be here right now if he wasn't the hard worker he is so I'm happy for him and I know he's going to keep it rolling."

Vernon pointed to "everything" when asked where Flowers has taken the biggest jump. "His technique -- I mean overall, pass and run," Vernon said.

The veteran defensive end noted that Flowers has been adding things to his tool box to neutralize opponents, and pointed to Flowers' improved footwork, better balance and health as factors that have made the difference for the third-year offensive lineman.

Vernon, who is accomplished in his own right, even quipped that he's learned a few things from Flowers to help sharpen his craft.

"It's like in life. Just because you're older than someone doesn't mean you can't learn from someone who's younger," he said.

"I know some more vet moves, but that don't mean nothing. How he plays the game and certain things that he does helps me to get better at my technique because at the end of the day he's trying to get better. So, I see him trying to get better and that helps me get better and our football team gets better."

NOTES: DE Olivier Vernon (shoulder) was limited in Tuesday's practice. Vernon said his shoulder injury is feeling better, and sounded optimistic that he'd be good to go Thursday. ... OL D.J. Fluker is sporting a walking boot on his right foot. Fluker's toe injury will keep him out of Thursday's game and is a week-to-week injury. ... -DT Damon Harrison was limited in Tuesday's practice. Harrison, who injured his ankle two weeks ago, is having his practice snaps managed. ... LB Calvin Munson (quad) has not been able to practice this week and is looking at missing his second game this season due to a quad issue. ... WR Sterling Shepard (illness), who was projected to be limited Monday had there been a practice, did not practice Tuesday. Head coach Ben McAdoo said they kept Shepard inside for further evaluation. ... OL Justin Pugh said his back is starting to feel better, but he's not about to rush himself back to the field out of concern he might experience another setback. Pugh said he's been taking medication and doing exercises to keep his back loose. ... OL Jon Halapio will get the start at right guard Thursday night according to a source. Halapio will take D.J. Fluker's spot in the lineup.