Conference Semi: WAS @ NYG

1. New York Giants (13-3)

2. Green Bay Packers (11-5)

3. Pittsburgh Steelers (13-3) Lost to Green Bay 31-21

4. Washington Redskins (12-4)

5. San Francisco 49ers (8-8) Lost to Washington 31-16

 

1. San Diego Chargers (14-2)

2. Atlanta Falcons (9-7) Lost to Oakland 34-16

3. Oakland Raiders (12-4)

4. Denver Broncos (11-5)

5. Houston Oilers (10-6) Lost to Denver 31-20

 

 

Washington (13-4) +1 at New York (13-3)

 

This is the first time these division rivals have met in the playoffs. They split games this season. The Redskins won 31-20 in week 3, the Giants won 38-17 in week 12. Washington has a slight edge 8-6 in overall clashes.

 

NYG Offense vs WAS Defense

The Giants have a pass leaning offense led by QB Josh Freeman (3,034 yds, 28 tds, 5 ints, 101.1 rating), WR Hakeem Nicks (80 catches, 15 tds) and RB Felix Jones (958 yds, 4.3 avg, 5 tds). They were #4 in scoring averaging 25.4 points/game and rarely turn the ball over (+17 turnover ratio).

 

The Redskins have one of the best pass defenses in the league, ranking #1 in pass completion percentage (only 55.4%) and sacks (44). DE Jared Allen leads the team in sacks (12) followed by Trent Cole on the other end and DT Jonathan Babineaux who each have 9. This type of defense is the perfect balance to their powerful offense since teams frequently find themselves trailing and are forced to go to the air.

 

WAS Offense vs NYG Defense

The Washington offense is in the top 5 in almost a dozen categories including #1 in passing yards, #2 in net yards, #2 in points (26.4), #3 in rushing TDs (16). At the helm is QB Aaron Rodgers (4,162 yds, 28 tds, 18 ints, 92.3 rating) whose primary target is WR Terrell Owens (72 catches, 9 tds) and TE Tony Scheffler (53 catches, 2tds). Deep threat WR Nate Washington has terrorized secondaries all year with 48 receptions, 10 tds, averaging 21.5 yards a catch. Knowshon Moreno (762 yds, 6 tds, 3.8 avg) is the primary RB.

 

The Giants defense has mixed statistics against a passing team. Although they are #16 in passing yards allowed per game (211.4),  they are #3 in pass rating (76.2) and #4 in passing TDs allowed (17). Perhaps their tendency to abruptly interrupt an offense drive with an INT (#1 in the league with 19 picks) or putting QBs on their backs (#5 in the league with 32 sacks) explains the odd numbers. OLB Cameron Wake leads the league in sacks with 17. However, picks and sacks did not make much difference in their week 3 loss, where Rodgers was picked off 3 times and sacked twice. In week 12, he was never sacked, only picked once and yet New York was the victor.

 

You just never know with these two teams.

 

Stay tuned for Denver (12-5) +8 at San Diego (14-2)...