One team is undefeated for the season as it settles in with a new head coach, while the other team is still seeking its first win of the year as it hits the road. But Manning’s pass, intended for tight end Will Tye, was picked off by Dunbar, who made a one-handed grab. The Redskins completed a 24 yard pass that ended with 22 seconds left.
Advertisement
The offense’s struggles in the red zone continued, and twice Cousins failed to parlay turnovers into touchdown drives. A good game today exorcises those demons, plus leaves Washington at 1-2 with the winless Cleveland Browns coming to town next week.
YOU’RE OUT: Richburg was ejected early in the fourth quarter for picking up two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties.
Washington cornerback Josh Norman won the afternoon’s first tussle with Odell Beckham Jr., diving in to break up a would-be touchdown reception. “Scrapping. Savagery as they come”, Norman said. And for the Giants, a win and a 3-0 start could be a springboard to their first playoff berth since 2011.
There were multiple injuries in the game, with the Redskins losing center Kory Lichtensteiger with a calf injury, offensive lineman Shawn Lauvao with an ankle and cornerbacks Bashaud Breeland (ankle) and DeAngelo Hall (knee) also leaving without returning. “It took all phases of the game, offense, defense, special teams and so many players to contribute making plays for us”. The Giants had a blocked punt by Romeo Okwara nullified with just over 11 minutes to play by a personal foul against Andrew Adams, who was added to the roster Saturday.
With the win, Washington (1-2) avoided an 0-3 start in its defense of the NFC East title while the Giants fell to 2-1. Cousins recovered, but time expired, and the Redskins trudged to the locker room trailing, 21-16.
Advertisement
Both veteran Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (groin) and rookie Eli Apple (hamstring) were unavailable down the stretch for the Giants, who yielded 296 yards passing to Washington quarterback Kirk Cousins in the loss. He was comfortable in the pocket, picking apart the Giants’ secondary, which played large portions of the contest without cornerbacks Eli Apple and Rodgers-Cromartie.
