Three keys to victory for the Giants on Sunday against the Redskins:
1. Don't let up on Adrian Peterson. The Redskins' 33-year-old running back broke Herschel Walker's record as the oldest player with a 90-yard rushing touchdown in NFL history in Week 13. His three runs before that went for a loss of two yards and gains of six and one. Peterson can pop one at any moment, like his 64-yard score that broke open the Redskins' victory over the Giants in Week 8. The future Hall of Famer also had a seven-yard touchdown catch in that game and will be leaned on heavily this week given Washington's injuries at quarterback. Mark Sanchez is set to start after Alex Smith and Colt McCoy suffered season-ending leg injuries.
"It's still crazy because when I was in high school and college, I was an AP fan, that's the crazy part," second-year defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson said. "Just playing against him, you just know how explosive he is and you know he's a little bit older now, he still has it. You have to come prepared just knowing you have to be gap leverage and disciplined out there just so you can make sure you can stop him."
View the projected Redskins starters for this Sunday's game
Washington Redskins running back Adrian Peterson (26) runs against the Dallas Cowboys during the second half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Thursday, Nov. 22, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Washington Redskins cornerback Quinton Dunbar (23) during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Washington Redskins' Mark Sanchez in action during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, Dec. 3, 2018, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Washington Redskins offensive guard Jonathan Cooper (72) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, Thursday, Nov. 22, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Washington Redskins linebacker Ryan Kerrigan rushes against the Dallas Cowboys during the second half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Thursday, Nov. 22, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Washington Redskins' Preston Smith reacts during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, Dec. 3, 2018, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Philadelphia Eagles' Golden Tate, left, cannot hang onto a pass against Washington Redskins' Zach Brown, center, and Mason Foster during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 3, 2018, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)
Washington Redskins cornerback Josh Norman (24) follows a play during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Washington Redskins defensive end Jonathan Allen (93) takes a defensive position during warm-ups in an NFL game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018 in East Rutherford, NJ. (Margaret Bowles via AP)
Washington Redskins center Tony Bergstrom (66) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, Thursday, Nov. 22, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Washington Redskins inside linebacker Mason Foster (54) takes a defensive position during an NFL game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018 in East Rutherford, NJ. (Margaret Bowles via AP)
Washington Redskins defensive lineman Matt Loannidis (98) rushes against New York Giants offensive lineman Jon Halapio (75) during a regular season Week 12 NFL football game between the New York Giants and the Washington Redskins, Thursday November 23, 2017 in Landover, MD. The Redskins beat the Giants 20-10 (Matt Patterson via AP)
Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) is tackled after a gain by Washington Redskins linebacker Zach Brown (53) and defensive tackle Daron Payne (95) during a 2018 NFL week 12 regular season game, Thursday, Nov. 22, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys defeated the Redskins,31-23. (James D. Smith via AP)
Washington Redskins tight end Jordan Reed (86) in action against the Houston Texans in an NFL game, Sunday, November 18, 2018 in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)
Washington Redskins wide receiver Maurice Harris (13) before an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
Washington Redskins wide receiver Jamison Crowder (80) gains yardage after catching a pass during an NFL game against the New Orleans Saints, Monday, Oct. 8, 2018 in New Orleans (Margaret Bowles via AP)
Washington Redskins free safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix breaks on the ball during an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Mark Tenally)
Washington Redskins offensive tackle Trent Williams (71) during a week 8 NFL football game against the New York Giants on Sunday October 28, 2018 in East Rutherford, N.J. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
Washington Redskins wide receiver Josh Doctson (18) returns a kickoff in an NFL game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018 in East Rutherford, NJ. (Margaret Bowles via AP)
Washington Redskins safety D.J. Swearinger (36) drops into coverage against the Dallas Cowboys during an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 30, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)
Washington Redskins center Chase Roullier (73) during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews (right) rushes against Washington Redskins offensive tackle Morgan Moses (left) during an NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Washington Redskins, Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Mark Tenally)
2. TE Jordan Reed can't get going. The biggest security blanket for a quarterback, let alone one making his first start in more than three years, is a tight end. Jordan Reed is the fourth-most targeted tight end in the NFL and leads the team by a wide margin in catches (54) and receiving yards (558). Meanwhile, Vernon Davis is another ageless player on the Redskins' offense. The 34-year-old only has 19 catches, but they have gone for an average of 16.8 yards. The Giants, who have faced their share of top tight ends this season, will play without safety Landon Collins the rest of the way after the two-time Pro Bowler suffered a season-ending shoulder injury. Redskins coach Jay Gruden is aware of it.
"All safeties have to cover," coach Pat Shurmur said. "If you play any form of man, then a safety has either got to cover in most cases a tight end or a [running back]; there aren't many choices beyond that. So we asked [Collins] to do that, we play man like every other team, so he's required to do that."
3. Keep Eli upright. In their Week 8 meeting, the Giants gave up seven sacks and ran for only 37 yards against the Redskins. Both teams have changed significantly since that game. The Giants have found the right combination on the offensive line and have won three out of four games. They are averaging nearly 30 points in that span, while Saquon Barkley has rushed for 100 yards in three consecutive games. On the other side, Washington's defense has allowed 134.4 yards on the ground as the team has gone 1-5.
"They're still good on defense," quarterback Eli Manning said. "They do a good job of getting a pass rush. Their front five are really strong. So, we've got to handle that. We've got to run the ball, and protect, and make sure we can get the ball out on time."
