Series history, broadcast information, connections and more from Thursday's Redskins-Giants 2015 Week 3 matchup at MetLife Stadium.*
REGULAR SEASON WEEK 3**
WASHINGTON REDSKINS (1-1) vs. NEW YORK GIANTS (0-2)Thursday, Sept. 24 – 8:35 p.m.
MetLife Stadium (82,500) – East Rutherford, N.J.
The Washington Redskins will make their 2015 road debut in Week 3 and they will do so in prime time when the team travels to face the New York Giants on Thursday. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:25 p.m.
Through two weeks, the identity the Redskins tried to establish in the lead up to the 2015 season has been on full display. All offseason, General Manager Scot McCloughan, Coach Jay Gruden and the entire organization expressed a desire to run the football, play physical defense and control the clock.
As of Monday morning, the Redskins' rushing attack leads the NFL with 171.5 yards per game and has produced two separate 100-yard rushers in each of the first two games. The stout running game has helped the Redskins control the clock for an average of 37:49 per game, second-highest in the NFL.
Under the guidance of Defensive Coordinator Joe Barry, the Redskins also enter Monday atop the NFL in total defense (234.5 yards per game).
SERIES HISTORY— Giants lead overall series, 97-65-4
— Giants lead regular season series 96-64-4
— Last meeting: Dec. 14, 2014 (24-13 NYG)
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Check out these top photos from the Washington Redskins' 2015 Week 2 matchup against the St. Louis Rams Sept. 20, 2015, at FedExField.
TELEVISION: CBS/NFL Network **— Jim Nantz (play-by-play)
— Phil Simms (color)
— Tracy Wolfson (sidelines)
RADIO:Redskins Broadcast Network
— Larry Michael (play-by-play)
— Sonny Jurgensen (color)
— Chris Cooley (analysis)
— Rick "Doc" Walker (sidelines)
Westwood One Sports
— Ian Eagle (play-by-play)
— Boomer Esiason (color)
THE OPPONENTThe New York Giants enter Week 3 of the 2015 season with a 0-2 record after consecutive losses to the Dallas Cowboys and Atlanta Falcons to start the year. The 2015 season is the team's 12th under Head Coach Tom Coughlin.
Quarterback Eli Manning leads the Giants' passing attack having completed 47-of-76 passes (61.8 percent) for 485 yards with two touchdowns. Manning, a 12th-year NFL veteran, has started all 16 regular season games for New York in 10 consecutive seasons. Manning has also run the ball three times for 31 yards this season.
Running back Rashad Jennings leads the Giants in rushing in his second year with the team. Through two games, Jennings has recorded 22 carries for 64 yards (2.9 avg.) with one touchdown.
A look back at some of the top images in games between the Washington Redskins and New York Giants.
Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. is the team's leading receiver with a team-high 190 yards (15.8 avg.) on a team-high-tying 12 receptions with one touchdown. Running back Shane Vereen has also recorded 12 catches for 122 yards (10.2 avg.).
Linebacker Uani' Unga leads the Giants with 17 total tackles (11 solo) in his first two games on the team's active roster. Defensive ends Robert Ayers and Cullen Jenkins each have a sack to tie for the team lead. Unga is also tied for the team lead in interceptions (one) with veteran cornerback Trumaine McBride.
Veteran kicker Josh Brown handles the kicking duties for the Giants in his third year with New York. Brown has converted six-of-six field goals and all four extra points he has attempted thus far in 2015. Brown has also averaged a distance of 62.2 yards on 12 kickoffs including five touchbacks. Punter Brad Wing joined the team in the offseason and has averaged 42.9 yards per punt on eight punts this season.
Wide receiver Dwayne Harris is the team's primary returner. Through two games, Harris has returned six punts for 69 yards (11.5 avg.) and two kickoffs for 77 yards (38.5 avg.).
WHAT TO WATCH FOR THIS WEEK
- The Redskins playing their 16th Thursday game in franchise history. The team is 6-9 all-time on Thursdays.
- The Redskins improving upon their 4-3 all-time record in Thursday games played on dates other than Thanksgiving.
- The Redskins and Giants meeting for a 167th time including postseason play. The Giants are the Redskins' most-played opponent.
The Redskins and Giants meeting on a Thursday in consecutive seasons, marking the first time in team history the Redskins have faced a single opponent on Thursdays in back-to-back seasons. * The Redskins seeking their first road win against the Giants since a 23-10 victory against the eventual Super Bowl champions at MetLife Stadium on Dec. 18, 2011. * The Redskins possessing the ball for 37 minutes or more in a third consecutive game for the first time in records dating back to 1991. * The Redskins recording 150 rushing yards in three consecutive games for the first time since Weeks 9-11 of the 2013 season. * The Redskins opening a season with three consecutive 150-yard rushing performances for the second time since 1950 (2012). * The Redskins rushing for 157 yards to post 500 rushing yards in the first three games of a season for the sixth time since the 1970 merger (1976, 1978, 1985, 1991 and 2012). The Redskins won 10 games in four of those five seasons. * The Redskins improving upon their 20,114 rushing yards against the Giants in regular season play since the 1970 merger, their most against any opponent in that timeframe. * The Redskins holding the Giants to 17 or fewer points to mark the seventh time since the 1970 merger that Washington has opened a season with three consecutive games of 17 or fewer points allowed (1971, 1974, 1976, 1996, 1997, 2005). The Redskins earned playoff berths in four of those six seasons. * The Redskins holding an opponent to 75 or fewer rushing yards for a third consecutive game for the first time since Weeks 9-11 of 2005 season. * Quarterback Kirk Cousins completing 16 passes to become the 17th quarterback in team history to record 300 completions with the team. * Cousins recording consecutive starts without an interception for the first time in his career. * Wide receiver Pierre Garçon recording a touchdown reception in consecutive games for the first time since Weeks 6-7 in 2014. * Garçon catching a touchdown to reach 30 career touchdown receptions. *
Cornerback DeAngelo Hall intercepting a pass to give him 24 interceptions as a member of the Redskins, which would tie him with Ken Houston for ninth-most in team history. * Hall (43) picking off two passes to join Charles Woodson (60) as the only active players to reach 45 career interceptions. * Hall returning a fumble for a touchdown to tie Jessie Tuggle for the second-most in NFL history (five). Hall's four career fumble return touchdowns are currently tied for third in NFL history with Bill Thompson, Derrick Thomas, Keith Bulluck and Ronde Barber. * Hall returning a fumble for a touchdown to become the first player in NFL history with five fumble returns for touchdowns and five interception returns for touchdowns. * Wide receiver DeSean Jackson (21) recording a 50-plus-yard touchdown to tie Joey Galloway (22) for fifth-most total touchdowns of 50 yards or more in the NFL since the 1970 merger. * Jackson improving upon his 30 career regular season receptions of 50 yards or more, the most in the NFL since he entered the league in 2008. *
Running back Matt Jones becoming the first Redskins rookie to rush for 100 yards in consecutive games since Alfred Morris in 2012 (Weeks 12-14). * Jones rushing for two touchdowns to become the first member of the Redskins with multiple rushing touchodwns in consecutive games since Stephen Davis in Weeks 1-3 of the 1999 season. * Linebacker Ryan Kerrigan (38.5) recording 1.5 sacks to tie Brian Orakpo (40.0) for fifth-most sacks in team history. * Kerrigan forcing a fumble to improve upon his 16 career forced fumbles, the most by a member of the Redskins since 1994. * Running back Alfred Morris starting his 51st consecutive regular season game, the longest active streak among NFC running backs. * Morris maintaining the highest rushing average in team history (4.51). * Morris registering his 13th career 100-yard rushing game to pass Earnest Byner, George Rogers and Terry Allen (12) for sole possession of fifth-most 100-yard rushing games in team history. * Morris (28) scoring two rushing touchdowns to become the seventh player in Redskins history to record 30 career rushing touchdowns.
A WIN WOULD…
... give the Redskins their second victory of the 2015 season.
... be the Redskins' 594th all-time victory, including postseason play.
... push the Redskins to 2-1 for the fourth time since 2000 and the first time since 2011.
... represent consecutive victories for the first time since Weeks 7-8 last season.
... improve the Redskins to 1-0 in NFC East play in 2015.
... be the third divisional win of Jay Gruden's tenure in Washington.
... give the Redskins a victory in their season debut against the NFC East for the first time since defeating the Giants, 28-14, on Sept. 11, 2011.
... even the Redskins' all-time record in Thursday games against the Giants at 2-2.
... represent the Redskins' seventh Thursday win all-time.
... be the Redskins' 66th all-time victory against the Giants, including postseason play. The team's 65 all-time wins against the Giants are currently the third-most against any opponent in franchise history.
... snap a four-game losing streak against the Giants.
... represent the Redskins' first victory against the Giants since Dec. 3, 2012.
REDSKINS-GIANTS CONNECTIONSFormer Redskins on Giants:
- Offensive Line Coach Pat Flaherty (2000, Tight Ends Coach)
- Defensive Line Coach Robert Nunn (2003)
- S Brandon Meriweather (2012-14)
Former Giants on Redskins:
- Defensive Backs Coach Perry Fewell (2010-14, Defensive Coordinator)
- Wide Receivers Coach Ike Hilliard (1997-2004, Wide Receiver)
- Quarterbacks Coach Matt Cavanaugh (1990-91, Quarterback)
- CB Will Blackmon (2010-11)
Giants from the D.C./Maryland/Virginia area:
- RB Rashad Jennings (Lynchburg, Va.)
- DE Kerry Wynn (Louisa, Va.)
Redskins from New York:
- FB Darrel Young (Amityville)
Rams who went to college in the D.C./Maryland/Virginia area:
- RB Rashad Jennings (Liberty)
- DE Kerry Wynn (Richmond)
Notable Pro Connections:
- Running Backs Coach Randy Jordan played running back in Jacksonville from 1995-97 when Giants Head Coach Tom Coughlin was the Head Coach there.
- NT Terrance Knighton, Giants CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Giants DE Robert Ayers played together in Denver in 2013. Knighton, Giants DE Geroge Selvie and Giants CB Trumaine McBride played together in Jacksonville in 2011.
Check out images of veteran defensive end Jason Hatcher during the 2015 offseason.
DE Jason Hatcher, Giants WR Dwayne Harris and Selvie played together in Dallas in 2013. * WR DeSean Jackson, TE Derek Carrier, Giants DT Cullen Jenkins and Rodgers-Cromartie played together in Philadelphia in 2012. In addition, Rodgers-Cromartie played with WR Andre Roberts in Arizona in 2010. * In addition to that, Roberts and Giants LB Jasper Brinkley played together in Arizona in 2013. * DL Chris Baker and Giants DE Robert Ayers played together in Denver in 2009. Baker also played with Giants G John Jerry in Miami in 2010. In addition to that, Wide Receivers Coach Ike Hilliard was the Assistant Wide Receivers Coach in Miami in 2011 when Jerry played there. * CB Justin Rogers and Jerry played together in Miami in 2013. * DE Stephen Paea and Giants S Brandon Meriweather played together in Chicago in 2011. Paea and Giants LB J.T. Thomas played together in Chicago in 2012. * WR Rashad Ross and Giants G Geoff Schwartz played together in Kansas City in 2013. Also, Schwartz and DL Frank Kearse played together in Carolina in 2010. * CB Will Blackmon and Thomas played together in Jacksonville from 2013-14. Blackmon and Jenkins played together in Green Bay from 2006-09. * QB Colt McCoy, G Shawn Lauvao and Giants DB Trevin Wade played together in Cleveland in 2012. * S Dashon Goldson and Giants LB Jonathan Casillas played together in Tampa Bay from 2013-14. * CB Chris Culliver, McCoy, Carrier and Giants FS Craig Dahl played together in San Francisco in 2013. Dahl and T Ty Nsekhe played together in St. Louis in 2012. * CB DeAngelo Hall and Giants TE Daniel Fells played together in Atlanta from 2006-07.
Notable College Connections:
- LB Will Compton, G Spencer Long and Giants CB Prince Amukamara played together at Nebraska from 2009-10.
- LB Perry Riley, Jr. and Giants WR Reuben Randle played together at LSU in 2009 when Giants Assistant Offensive Line Coach Lunda Wells was an Offensive Line Assistant.
- CB David Amerson and Giants DT Markus Kuhn played at North Carolina State from 2010-11 when Giants Defensive Assistant Rob Leonard was a Graduate Assistant there from 2010-12.
- WR Ryan Grant and Giants RB Orleans Darkwa played together in Tulane from 2010-13.
- CB Chris Culliver and Giants LB Jasper Brinkley played together at South Carolina in 2007.
- K Dustin Hopkins, RB Chris Thompson and Giants G Bobby Hart played together at Florida State from 2011-12.
- S Kyshoen Jarrett and Giants CB Jayron Hosley played together at Virginia Tech in 2011.
- G Arie Kouandjio and S Landon Collins played together at Alabama from 2012-14.
- TE Anthony McCoy and Giants LB Devon Kennard played together at USC in 2009.
- CB Justin Rogers and DE Kerry Wynn played together at Richmond in 2010.
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