Here are ten things to look out for as the Giants get set to face the Redskins:
1. GOBBLE, GOBBLE
In their first Thanksgiving Day game since 2009, the New York Giants (2-8) face the Washington Redskins (4-6) at FedExField in the night game (8:30 p.m. ET) after Vikings at Lions (12:30 p.m.) and Chargers at Cowboys (4:30 p.m.) in the early holiday games.
The Giants are 7-4-3 (.607 winning percentage) on Thanksgiving. They played 11 times on the holiday from 1926-38 and have been participants just three times since – winning in Detroit in 1982, and losing in Dallas in 1992 and Denver in 2009. Overall, the Giants are 15-8-3 (.635) on Thursdays, including 3-2 since the NFL in 2012 mandated that every team play a Thursday game.
2. 171ST MEETING
In 2016, the Giants and Redskins split the season series for the second year in a row. But it was the first time since 2007 that each team won as visitors. The Giants lead the regular-season series, 98-66-4. In the postseason, they are tied 1-1, with the Giants' victory coming in the 1986 NFC Championship Game en route to the first Super Bowl title in franchise history. The Giants are 11-8-1 at FedExField and have swept the season series 32 times, most recently in 2014. They will see each other again in the regular-season finale for the second year in a row.
3. WHERE ARE THEY NOW
This will be the Giants' first NFC East game since losing on a 61-yard field goal as time expired in Philadelphia on Sept. 24. The Giants are 0-2 in the division and 0-7 in the conference, with both their wins coming against Denver and most recently Kansas City of the AFC West. The Redskins are 0-3 in the division and have lost four of their last five games after a 3-2 start.
Keep an eye on these five players as the Giants face the Redskins tonight, presented by Microsoft Surface
CB DOMINIQUE RODGERS-CROMARTIETurnovers tend to come in bunches for a team, and DRC is still looking for his first interception of the season. He had two in his last trip to FedExField.
WR ROGER LEWISLewis stepped up to help out a depleted wide receiver corps and made the key play that set up the game-winning field goal in overtime last week.
DT DAMON HARRISONThe All-Pro defensive tackle will look to set the tone against another top-10 offense this week in Washington.
TE EVAN ENGRAMEngram leads all rookie tight ends in receptions (41), yards (452) and touchdowns (five). He needs one more score to break Bob Tucker's franchise record for most touchdowns by a rookie tight end, which was set in 1970.
4. GIANTS INJURY REPORT
Out:
G D.J. Fluker (Toe)
LB B.J. Goodson (Ankle)
OL Justin Pugh (Back)
Doubtful:
LB Calvin Munson (Quad)
Questionable:
LB Jonathan Casillas (Neck)
LS Zak DeOssie (Trap)
DT Damon Harrison (Ankle/Elbow)
WR Sterling Shepard (Illness)
LB Kelvin Sheppard (Groin)
DE Olivier Vernon (Shoulder)
5. REDSKINS INJURY REPORT
Out:
DL Terrell McClain (Toe)
S Montae Nicholson (Concussion)
TE Jordan Reed (Hamstring)
C Chase Roullier (Hand)
Questionable:
LB Zach Brown (Achilles)
LB Martrell Spaight (Ankle)
T Trent Williams (Knee)
LB Ryan Anderson (Knee)
WR Ryan Grant (Calf)
DL Matt Ioannidis (Hand/Thigh)
DL Anthony Lanier II (Knee)
T Morgan Moses (Eye/Ankle/Ankle)
T Ty Nsekhe Core (Muscle)
RB Samaje Perine (Finger)
G Brandon Scherff (Knee)
6. PARTY LIKE IT'S 2016
The Giants are 2-0 this season when they force at least three turnovers. Last week, they had three interceptions from Landon Collins (NFC Defensive Player of the Week), Janoris Jenkins, and even 350-pound defensive tackle Damon "Snacks" Harrison. They also had three takeaways (two interceptions and a fumble recovery) against Denver in Week 6. In their last trip to FedExField in the 2016 regular-season finale, the Giants forced three turnovers, including two interceptions by cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.
7. REDSKINS SCOUTING REPORT
Led on offense by Kirk Cousins, who is third in the league in passing yards behind Tom Brady and Russell Wilson, the Redskins rank ninth in total yards (359.4), seventh in passing (256.8), 18th in rushing (102.6) and 12th in scoring (23.8). On defense, they are 24th in yards (363.6), 25th against the pass (249.0), 19th against the run (114.6) and 31st in scoring (26.6). Both the Redskins and Giants have an even turnover differential.
8. LINE SHIFT
With the Giants already down center Weston Richburg for the rest of the season, injuries to Pugh and Fluker will force more changes on an offensive line that did not allow a sack last week and paved the way for another 100-yard rushing game. It should also be noted that since Week 2 left tackle, Ereck Flowers has not allowed a sack on 313 pass blocking snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.
Meanwhile, undrafted rookie Chad Wheeler made his first career start in Week 11 against the Chiefs and played every snap at right tackle in place of Pugh. Ten-year veteran John Greco, who has started 45 games at right guard, 24 at left guard and one at center, is an option at guard after signing with the team last week. So is Jon Halapio.
9. IN THE ZONE
Eli Manning leads all NFL quarterbacks in the red zone with a 123.3 passer rating, throwing 11 touchdowns to no interceptions. The Giants are also averaging 3.72 yards per play inside the 20, the best rate in the league. On defense, they are fifth, allowing just 2.36 yards.
10. FEDEX GROUND
In the middle of a breakout campaign, Redskins running back Chris Thompson, who had over 800 yards from scrimmage and six touchdowns, suffered a fractured fibula last Sunday in New Orleans Saints and will miss the rest of the season. Samaje Perine, a rookie fourth-round pick out of Oklahoma, took over in the game and finished with 117 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries. On the Giants' side, Orleans Darkwa is seventh in the NFL at 4.8 yards per rush. He is averaging 72.7 yards in their last six games, a stretch in which the team surpassed 110 yards five times.
