Week 17 Game Scout: Redskins at Giants

Dec 30, 2017 - 1:27 AM WASHINGTON REDSKINS (7-8) AT NEW YORK GIANTS (2-13)

GAME SNAPSHOT

KICKOFF: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, MetLife Stadium. TV: FOX, Sam Rosen, Matt Millen, Jennifer Hale (field reporter).

SERIES HISTORY: 175th regular-season meeting. Giants lead series, 98-69-7. The teams have split two playoff games. The Redskins posted a 20-10 victory on Thanksgiving at FedEx Field and have won three of the past four. The Giants will be looking to split the season series with their NFC East foes for the third year in a row. The Giants are 4-2 at home against Washington dating back to 2011.

KEYS TO THE GAME: The Redskins have won two in a row after being knocked from the NFC playoff race and a .500 finish would be the first time they have gone three consecutive years without a losing season since 1999-2001.

The Giants have endured one of the worst seasons in franchise history and their coach and general manager have already been fired. This week, safety Landon Collins called cornerback Eli Apple "a cancer" during a radio interview, and Apple has been suspended for this game.

Washington still ranks in the top half of the NFL in yards per game (333.5) even though the running game is miserable (3.6 yards per carry) at 29th overall. The Redskins are 14th in points (22.1) because quarterback Kirk Cousins has just enough weapons left (Vernon Davis, Jamison Crowder, Ryan Grant, Josh Doctson) and the offensive line has withstood the loss of three starters (left tackle Trent Williams, left guard Shawn Lauvao and center Spencer Long).

One thing working in New York's favor: It's possible that Eli Manning is playing his final game for the Giants.

That's about all the Giants have going for them with the few offensive weapons they have left; tight end Evan Engram (ribs) and wide receiver Sterling Shepherd (neck) could be held out. The receiving corps was long ago decimated by injuries and the offensive line has shuffled players into new roles all season. There's a reason New York ranks 31st in points (15.2).

Washington's pass rushers Ryan Kerrigan, Preston Smith and Junior Galette have combined for six sacks the past two games by themselves. That will be an issue for the Giants. The Redskins' secondary has had a few rough weeks in the second half against good teams (Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, Los Angeles Chargers), but has dominated against the mediocre or bad ones (Arizona Cardinals, Denver Broncos).

MATCHUPS TO WATCH:

--Redskins TE Vernon Davis vs. Giants S Andrew Adams. Davis, 34, has had his best season since 2013 in receiving yards (628) and touchdowns (three). He can take advantage of a matchup with the second-year Adams, who will start for injured Landon Collins (broken arm). Davis' targets have ticked up again since a lull in late November. He has six catches, two touchdowns and 86 yards on 14 targets the past three weeks.

--Giants RT Jon Halapio vs. Redskins OLB Ryan Kerrigan. Halapio has his work cut out for him against Kerrigan. The journeyman is making just his sixth career start. Kerrigan will be motivated. He had two sacks against the Denver Broncos last week and stands at 11 for the season -- three shy of breaking his career record (13.5).

FRIDAY INJURY REPORT

WASHINGTON REDSKINS

--Out: LB Ryan Anderson (knee), LB Zach Brown (illness, knee, achilles), DT Evander Hood (elbow)

--Questionable: WR Robert Davis (concussion), WR Maurice Harris (back), G Kyle Kalis (ankle, back), LB Ryan Kerrigan (calf), DE Terrell McClain (toe), LB Martrell Spaight (illness, ankle)

NEW YORK GIANTS

--Out: TE Evan Engram (rib), WR Tavarres King (concussion), WR Sterling Shepard (neck)

--Questionable: T Ereck Flowers (groin), T Bobby Hart (ankle), DE Jason Pierre-Paul (finger, back, ankle)

PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: Redskins LB Zach Vigil. He has taken advantage of injuries at inside linebacker to Mason Foster (shoulder), Will Compton (Lisfranc sprain) and Zach Brown (Achilles tendon/toe/hamstring), who is "likely" to miss the game. Vigil spent the first seven weeks on the Buffalo Bills' practice squad before signing with Washington. He has been active the past six games and started the past five. Vigil has impressed, with 41 tackles and a fumble recovery. At worst, he has put himself in position to challenge for a roster spot at training camp next summer.

FAST FACTS: Washington QB Kirk Cousins passed for 299 yards and three TDs last week. He needs 65 passing yards to reach 4,000 for the third consecutive season. Over the past two seasons, he is among six QBs with 8,000 yards (8,852) and 50 TD passes (52). ... RB Samaje Perine has 247 scrimmage yards and a rushing TD in his past three road games. He gained 130 yards (100 rushing) in his last game vs. the Giants. ... WR Jamison Crowder caught seven balls for a career-high 141 yards and a TD in his last game vs. the Giants. ... LB Ryan Kerrigan had two sacks in Week 16, his 12th career game with at least two. He has 11 sacks, his third season with at least 10. He also has five sacks in his past six games vs. the Giants. ... Giants QB Eli Manning has 51,550 passing yards, sixth in NFL history. In his past three home games vs. Washington, he has 879 yards (293 per game), six TDs and two interceptions. ... TE Evan Engram is tied for the NFL rookie lead with six TD catches and is third with 64 catches and 722 yards. He ranks first in franchise history among rookie TEs in TD catches and second in receptions and yards. ... DE Jason Pierre-Paul had two sacks in the last game vs. Washington and has 11.5 in 11 career meetings, his most sacks vs. any opponent.

PREDICTION: As much as they might want to win this one for Manning, the punchless Giants will have a tough time against the resilient Redskins.

OUR PICK: Redskins, 23-13.

--Chris Cluff