The New York Giants got their first win of the season on Sunday, defeating the Houston Texans 30-17 for their first win of 2014. Washington could not keep its Week 2 momentum, losing 37-34 to the Philadelphia Eagles in a game featuring big plays and an even bigger brawl.
Both teams enter Thursday night at 1-2, trailing the Eagles by two games in the NFC East. Washington is without its starting quarterback, Robert Griffin III, who will be out at minimum until late October with a dislocated ankle. It has not hampered Washington, which has seen a spike in offense behind Kirk Cousins. Cousins was excellent in defeat on Sunday, throwing for 427 yards and three touchdowns with one interception.
The Giants are very healthy but did not play like it in the first two weeks against the Detroit Lions and Arizona Cardinals. However, Tom Coughlin's team recovered with the Texans in town, racking up 419 total yards including 193 on the ground. Rashad Jennings led the charge with 176 yards on 34 carries with a touchdown, while Victor Cruz found the end zone for the first time since Week 4 of last season.
WSH vs. NYG
How to Watch
Where: FedEx Field
When: 8:25 p.m. ET
TV: CBS, NFLN
Announcers: Jim Nantz, Phil Simms, Tracy Wolfson
Radio: Washington radio listings | Giants radio listings
Online Streaming: Verizon NFL Mobile
Odds
Washington is favored by 3.5 points over visiting New York, with the over/under set at 45, according to OddsShark.
Nuts and Bolts
It will be interesting to see who wins on third down. The Giants were top-notch against Houston on the money down last week, holding the Texans to a 2-of-12 conversion rate. Washington was prolific offensively on third down versus the Eagles, moving the sticks 8-of-15 opportunities. One reason for Washington's success was a passing game that featured 8.9 yards per attempt.
In that vein, a matchup to watch will be Prince Amukamara and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie lined up across from Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson. Garcon and Jackson went for 138 and 117 yards on Sunday, each with a touchdown. For the Giants, they will look to exploit the absence of DeAngelo Hall, who is out for the season with a torn Achilles tendon.
Further reading
For more on the Giants, please be sure to check out Big Blue View.
To catch up on everything Washington, head over to Hog Haven.