Redskins/Giants Predictions

[BDBohnzie]

National audience for a division game in the Meadowlands against the Super Bowl Champions. That's a doozy of a game for anyone, much less a team with a new head coach and a new offense.

Over the last 10 years (throwing out the 2005 Mara game), the Skins are 4-5 at the Meadowlands. 5 of the 6 losses were early weeks of the season (Weeks 1-5).

Over the last 10 years, the defending SB Champs have won Week 1 nine times ('99 Broncos lost 38-21 at home vs. 'Phins and went on to be 6-10; only away game was the '03 Bucs, who beat the Eagles in Philly 17-0).

What do those numbers mean? Nothing...well, in a sense, they are 2 strikes against the Redskins in terms of history. But history does not dictate the game, the players on the field do.

While the Redskins "struggled" the last 2 preseason games, I honestly do not think you can use those games as a barometer of how well they will do tomorrow night. They are a solid team built to weather the toughness of the NFC East. The Giants might be defending champs, but all that indicates is a bullseye on their backs, and with the injuries and key personnel losses, they're definitely going to need to be on all cylinders.

Nonetheless, taking everything I've seen and read and researched into consideration...

Giants 17, Redskins 13
Skins pressure Eli early and often, but the Giants RB Committee find holes and score twice. Portis finds pay dirt, and Cooley leads all receivers with 5 catches.