NFL

A look back on Giants 23, Redskins 7

BY PAUL SCHWARTZ

A look back at the Giants 23-7 victory over the Redskins:

PLAY OF THE GAME:

It’s been five years since Amani Toomer caught a touchdown pass longer than the 40-yarder he hauled on the Giants first possession. Finding himself in press coverage against CB Fred Smoot, Toomer used his great experience and savvy to out-duel Smoot at the line and then was able to outrun him down the right sideline and was in perfect position to make an over-the-shoulder catch of a perfectly-thrown pass from Eli Manning.

“Eli made a great throw. I couldn’t really help but to catch that,” Toomer said. “It’s a sign of disrespect any time you get pressed in this league, if you take it any other way you’re fooling yourself.”

QUOTE OF THE DAY:

Tom Coughlin on the way the Giants handles themselves with all the controversy surrounding the team after Plaxico Burress accidentally shot himself in the right thigh last Friday night:

“We all are upset about what happened with Plaxico and hopefully he’s going to be fine, that’s our first concern,” Coughlin said. “Once that was taken care of we knew he was OK then I think the guys got right back on focusing on the reason we are here.”

BREAKDOWN:

The Giants went into FedEx Field on a chilly and rainy afternoon and completely dominated the Redskins in workmanlike and methodical fashion. The Giants held a 35:44 to 24:16 advantage in time of possession, amassed 404 total yards and for the second consecutive week made an opposing defense pay for stuffing the box with an extra safety to combat the Giants league-leading running game. The Redskins were moderately successful in limiting the Giants on the ground – they gained 108 yards, led by Brandon Jacobs, who returned from missing one game with a knee injury to carry the ball 21 times for 71 yards. It was just enough on he ground to make play-fakes work and Eli Manning was masterful in completing 21 of 34 passes for 305 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Domenik Hixon, starting once again in place of Plaxico Burress, had a solid game with five catches for 71 yards. Manning utilized Derrick Ward out of the backfield and Ward caught five passes for 75 yards. He busted out on a 48-yard gain off a screen pass to set up one of John Carney’s three field goals.

UP NEXT:

It could be clinching day for the Giants, who take on the NFC East rival Eagles at Giants Stadium. If the Giants win, they wrap up the NFC East title and also clinch a first-round playoff bye. The Giants beat the Eagles 36-31 three weeks ago in Philadelphia and since then the Eagles have seen all sorts of things go wrong but were able to rout the Cardinals on Thanksgiving Day.