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- Rookie impact.**
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While linebacker Devon Kennard recorded his second straight multi-sack game last week in Tennessee, wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and running back Andre Williams became the first Giants rookie tandem ever to have 130 receiving and rushing yards, respectively, in the same game, as starting guard Weston Richburg helped pave the way. They highlight a rookie class that has produced this season for the Giants.
"It is encouraging because long have we invested in their playing time," coach Tom Coughlin said of the rookies. "Most of these guys, whether it be Kennard, [safety Nat] Berhe or any of these younger guys who are getting some snaps and some play time. You see [defensive end Kerry] Wynn in there contributing now and that is a good thing. The fact that they have played some and they continue to play and get experience and they have had a little taste of success from time to time, that is a good thing. [Defensive tackle Jay] Bromley was in there. Obviously the production from Andre Williams was good. Richburg has been in there since day one. Beckham since he has come back from his injury. In order to advance this team, these young guys have got to get great experience and they are starting to get it."
2. Go for two.
Get to know the Giants' opponent for their Week 15 matchup vs. Washington
The Giants tasted victory last Sunday for the first time in more than two months with a 36-7 win over the Tennessee Titans. Now they will try to keep it up when the 3-10 Washington Redskins come to MetLife Stadium for a 1 p.m. kickoff in Week 15.
"Well, it is a better day at the office when you win, believe me," Coughlin said. "Monday's are hectic, probably a more difficult day for a head coach than a lot of days because your emotions don't go away. The build-up to the game, the game itself, the emotions, win or lose, the emotions are certainly different. The next day when you lose is an extremely difficult day because you have all of these emotions on top of the facts of the day before, and you are striving to make the corrections and pull people together and understand why you didn't win, etc., etc., etc. When you win, it reinforces what you are doing and it does make for a better day."
3. Injury report.
Coughlin said Monday that quarterback Eli Manning was "sore" after last week's game against the Titans, but that "no one seems to be overly concerned."
Meanwhile, the Giants will see if they can get back offensive tackle James Brewer (concussion) and linebackers Jacquian Williams (concussion/shoulder) and Mark Herzlich (concussion), who all sat out last Sunday. Other than that, the Giants came out of the game relatively healthy, and it doesn't look like there's anything that will prevent anyone from going forward, Coughlin said.
4. Can the Giants keep up the pressure?
The Giants turned up the pressure the last two weeks and recorded 15 sacks after having just 19 in the previous 11 games. And they've been coming from all levels.
While just seven have come from defensive linemen, six were from linebackers and two from the secondary. They will be going up against a Washington team this week that has allowed 46 sacks, second-most in the NFL.
5. Which QB starts for Washington?
Colt McCoy, who started the last two games for the Redskins in place of Robert Griffin III, injured his neck during the team's 24-0 loss to the Rams in Week 14. Washington coach Jay Gruden said Monday that he would await the test results before announcing the starting quarterback against the Giants.
"I want to see how he [McCoy] is doing first," Gruden said in his Monday press conference. "I don't want to really rush into any decision at this time anyway. Nobody else has to announce any starters on a Monday press conference, so I don't think I should be any different. So I am going to wait and see until I get all the information on the quarterback."