***SWAMPSGIVING GAME 3 - NYG @ WAS***

***NEW YORK GIANTS @ WASHINGTON REDSKINS***

Unfortunately, the dessert menu for Thanksgiving night isn't the most intriguing matchup as the lowly 2-8 New York Giants head into Washington to take on the 4-6 Redskins in an NFC East battle. For the Redskins, hopes of a playoff birth are still alive, but they need to quit messing around and losing close games starting tonight if they want to keep it that way. Despite a ton of injuries this season, the Redskins have really impressed me with the way they have overcome them for the most part and continue to fight every week. They've lost multiple pieces on both sides of the ball but still battle in every game and put themselves in position to come out with a win. Last week they somehow blew a 15 point lead in the final 3 minutes against the Saints in New Orleans. While that is a devastating loss, I'm choosing to look at the positives here, and that's the fact that QB Kirk Cousins balled out on the road again against a very good Saints defense. Now back at home, where they haven't won since week 6 against the Niners on October 15th, I think they take advantage of their struggling rival and get a W tonight. I know the Giants snapped their losing streak in impressive fashion last week while hosting the Kansas City Chiefs, but I believe that win was a bit fraudulent. The Chiefs are reeling at the moment, and in a game where winds were swirling through MetLife Stadium, QB Alex Smith proved to be incompetent. The Chiefs may have some big decisions to make in the near future but that is a conversation for another time. My point is, the Giants are a talented team no doubt, especially on defense. Last season they were one of the best defensive units in the NFL. After clearly quitting on Head Coach Ben McAdoo for whatever reasons, there were some players in that secondary that refused to lift a finger for two weeks. This resulted coming out of their bye week with an embarrassing loss to the Rams at home and then another to the winless 49ers on the road the following week. In my opinion, they must've felt that their statement was made in those two games with whatever is going on behind the scenes in the Giants locker room, and back at home last week against another playoff caliber team in the Chiefs, they chose to play hard. I still think there is a very strong rift on that team between the defense and their Head Coach, but I guess there is only so much embarrassment professional athletes can take before their personal pride kicks in. That being said, they capitalized on a Chiefs team that is currently trending downward, like they should've been able to given their talent on defense.

The Giants offense however is still extremely limited with very little talent on the offensive line and in the backfield. Everything falls on QB Eli Manning's shoulders and without his number 1, 2, and 3 WRs, that can be tough for the 'ol veteran at times. I give him a ton of credit and I am and have always been an Eli believer. He makes due with what he has to work with and never complains, just keeps his head down and goes to work. Rookie TE Evan Engram has proven to be a beast and without any true starting WRs, he has become Eli's new favorite target. Opposing teams have obviously taken notice to this as we saw the Chiefs smother Engram in the passing game and successfully keeping a lid on him last week. Backup WRs Tavarres King and Roger Lewis have relished the opportunity to make a name for themselves and have stepped up. These guys are solid, but now up against a much better secondary led by CB Josh Norman and ball hawking Safeties DeAngelo Hall and D.J. Swearinger, I could see Eli struggling to throw downfield here and making those costly mistakes that he is sometimes prone to doing.

Let's not forget how the Giants ruined any playoff chances that the Redskins had last season in week 17. With nothing to play for as Big Blue was already locked into a playoff spot, they went into Washington and defeated the Skins which officially sent them home for the offseason. I think Washington gets some long awaited revenge tonight and that they'll put together a finely tuned complete game on both sides of the ball here. The fact that they are playing home on Thanksgiving night and against a rival should give them some extra juice and mojo here and I believe their motivation will far outweigh that of the Gmen who could let down after successfully getting of the schneid last weekend. The loss of RB Chris Thompson can not be understated as he was a true threat in the passing game as well and a sparkplug for this offense. I do like backup RB Semaje Perine's recent emergence however as the Red Zone bruiser on the goaline and believe he is enough to tote the rock all game here. TE Jordan Reed has been out but veteran Vernon Davis has proven to be a reliable target for Cousins downfield and young WR Josh Doctson has really risen to become Kirk's new go-to man. Although it is still a long shot, with a big win at home tonight the Skins remain in contention for a Wild Card spot and at the least bit I believe they get a feel good revenge win here at home for the fans. Eli and the Giants will have their moments and keep this thing close but I believe Cousins will make the plays to pull away in the second half. Happy Thanksgiving to all! REDSKINS-7