LANDOVER, Md. — Not only did the Giants keep their postseason hopes alive, they for the first time in a long time actually looked like a real playoff team, battering and bruising the Redskins 45-12 in a one-sided and decisive rout at FedEx Field.
Consider this back to business for the Giants, who hearkened to their early-season dominance and road warrior mindset with their most complete victory in months. It was 24-0 at halftime, and once the Redskins finally scored, the Giants surged to 14 points in a span of 14 seconds, scoring in most unlikely fashion. Derek Hagan hauled in his first touchdown pass of the season, and moments later cornerback Terrell Thomas made it 38-6 by intercepting an abysmal Jason Campbell pass and walking into the end zone on a gift 14-yard return.
Just like that, the Giants (8-6) pumped new life into their playoff chances. They still need help to gain an NFC wild card berth. If the Giants close out by beating the Panthers and Vikings, they get in if the Cowboys (9-5) or Packers (9-5) lose one of their remaining two games. If the Giants play like they did in devouring the listless Redskins, they might actually get it done.
VACCARO: GIANTS SHOW SIGNS OFWHAT COULD HAVE BEEN
Eli Manning was barely touched, even though the Giants played the whole way without starting right tackle Kareem McKenzie (knee) and virtually the whole way without left guard Rich Seubert (knee). Manning expertly distributed the ball on screens and dump-offs then went deep at will.
The Giants did something they hadn’t done in the prior eight games: Score a touchdown on their opening drive. Imagine that. The Redskins actually won the coin toss and elected to defer, giving the Giants the ball first. As it turned out, it was a bad move. The Giants took off on one of their most effective and diverse drives of the season, going 80 yards in 16 plays, eating up 9:13. There were seven passes from Manning, nine runs, three third-down conversions, and finally a 3-yard draw play to Ahmad Bradshaw to make it 7-0.
Justin Tuck’s sack of Campbell forced a three-and-out for the Giants defense. Imagine that. Manning then hit Steve Smith for 14 yards on third-and-10 and Hakeem Nicks for 21 yards, and soon enough Bradshaw was hitting the end zone for a second time to make it 14-0 two plays into the second quarter.
It was hard to tell if it was the Giants finally awakening or the Redskins — after five straight weeks of highly competitive play — finally realizing their dismal season was nearing an end. The Skins (4-10) did not attain a first down until 3:20 remained in the second quarter and it was met with mock cheers from the crowd.
A sack of Manning by Albert Haynesworth — who blew by Kevin Boothe, subbing for injured Seubert — forced the Giants to settle for Lawrence Tynes’ 38-yard field goal. Consider that a speed bump en route to a rout.
The third Giants touchdown came easier and more quickly than the first two. They took advantage of a short field and got a 45-yard catch-and-run from Nicks to set up Manning’s lob into the back of the end zone for Steve Smith, who successfully beat backup cornerback Justin Tryon.
Was this actually the Giants defense at work, playing without two cornerbacks, Corey Webster and Aaron Ross? No one will confuse the Redskins with the Saints, but in the prior three games they had scored 24, 30 and 34 points, with Campbell leading the charge.
Well, the music sure stopped for the Skins, who managed a single first down, 78 total yards, and zero points in the first half. After a spurt of spirited play, the Redskins bottomed out for outgoing head coach Jim Zorn, with Mike Shanahan nearly ready to pick out furniture for the office he will soon inhabit.
Booed early and often, Campbell was forcefully removed from the game late in the second quarter when he was sacked by Osi Umenyiora, who landed directly on Campbell, injuring the quarterback’s shoulder. Campbell was able to return in the third quarter but beleaguered defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan’s unit continued to feast.