Game 5: Redskins (2-2) at Giants (1-2)

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Talk about a game with meaning! The 2-2 Redskins travel to the Meadowlands to take on the 1-2 Giants Sunday at 1pm. The Redskins are coming off a pair of big wins, one on the road against the no-longer-winless Texans (the Dolphins may actually be the worst team in the league) and a legitimate win over playoff-contending Jacksonville. The Giants are coming off a bye, during which the team had to deal with the Shockey Distraction^TM. In three games, the Giants have allowed 92 points.

The storylines:

The Redskins are out to prove the big offensive days against the Texans and Jaguars are the rule, not the exception. A win would lift them to 3-2, keeping them on the NFC Beast lead lap with the Eagles. A win would avenge a 36-0 loss last season at the Meadowlands. A win would end the Arrington Affair, regardless of his statline on the day. A win would put the Giants two games back.

The Giants are already pretty much into desperation, must-win territory. Hopes of a big season have so far not materialized, and there are questions about this team's cohesion. A win would lift the Giants to .500 and keep the team on pace. A win would show this team is not slipping into disarray. A win would make LaVar feel better about himself.

The matchups of the day will be in the passing game. With Shawn Springs still out for a fifth game, the Giants can expect to find open receivers downfield. The Redskins defense is ranked 26th in the league against the pass, just three spots above...the Giants at 29th. Both teams have played well against the run (Washington 5th in the league, New York 12th), keeping opponents under 90 yards rushing per game.

In the trenches, Michael Strahan versus Jon Jansen and Osi Umenyiora versus Chris Samuels will be key matchups. Michael and Osi have combined for one sack so far this season. The Redskins offensive line was knocking the Jaguars' d-line back on their heels all day. If the Giants scouted the Redskins game against the Cowboys, they know what to do. Keep your eye on Antonio Pierce. He leads the team in tackles and is a certified madman. Watch with bemusement as LaVar runs around trying to make a big hit and never gets ahead of the play. He transitions from disappointment to bust if the Giants lose and he's not a factor.

On the other side of the ball, Kedric Goldston, a rookie, has impressed, with a sack-fumble recovery against Houston and solid run defense against the Jaguars. Linebackers Holdman, Washington and Marshall have been the heart of the defense, meaning the play gets past the LOS regularly. Eli has been sacked 9 times and looks hurried and harried at times. If the the Redskins get to Eli early, they can rattle him off his game. Tiki is a nifty runner that can go between the tackles as well as around the end. Against the Texans and Jaguars, the Redskins ran the toss-sweep to tire out the line and backers. Expect the Giants to take the same tack with Tiki. He ran all round the Colts in game one, but he was quiet against the Seahawks and Eagles. Look for the Giants to try and feed Tiki off the weak Redskins pass defense.

In other NFC Beast news, the Cowboys play at the Eagles Sunday. As hard as it is to root for the Cowboys, it would be most advantageous for the Eagles to lose. They looked good [in the second half] against the Packers last Monday night, and the Cowboys are coming off a thrashing of the Titans. Let's hope that TO serves enough of a distraction to the Eagles that Dono looks mortal.

This is a gameday open thread. I'll be liveblogging here and over at Hogs Haven.