Sunday NFL Play Giants -4 at Redskins
Analysis:There's no question the Giants are vastly superior, something that was proven just four weeks ago when they won 31-7 at home for their fifth straight series victory (4-1 ATS).
But today's spread is shorter than it should be due to the perception that the Redskins have gotten better and the Giants are a train wreck after blowing a key division game to the Eagles two weeks ago and then getting buried at Green Bay last Sunday.
Let's discuss the Redskins first. No, they are not better. They are a horrendous team with seven new defensive starters from opening week. It's not by chance Washington ranks last in total defense and 31st in pass defense.
The Redskins' secondary is decimated. They're yielding more than 393 yards per game. Only nine teams in the last 27 years have surrendered more.
The Giants, with tremendous offense balance, can take advantage of Washington's defensive woes. Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs are the second-best running back tandem in the NFL behind Kansas City's Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones. They've rushed for a combined 1,987 yards and scored 16 touchdowns on the ground. Eli Manning, despite frequent interceptions, has thrown 30 TD passes this year.
Washington's run defense isn't much better than its pass defense giving up an average of 4.8 yards per rush. The Giants averaged 5.5 ypc in the season's first meeting and the Skins' defense has gotten even softer since then because of injuries.
The Giants aren't going to lie down in this matchup, not when they still have a shot at the playoffs. They have a late kickoff, same as Green Bay, so they'll be focused and primed for a strong effort.
The Redskins have been competitive the last two weeks against Dallas and Jacksonville even with Rex Grossman at quarterback. It's misleading, though. They trailed Dallas 27-7 in the third quarter before making it close against a bad Cowboys defense that was playing loose with a big lead.
The Redskins then upset a flat Jacksonville team missing its star playmaker, running back Maurice Jones-Drew.
Grossman will have a much harder time facing a New York defense that has the best front four in the NFL with 44 sacks.
