The third-year tight end once again proved to be unstoppable at times Sunday against the Giants, recording eight receptions for 98 yards in the Redskins' 20-14 victory.

Jordan Reed wanted to make up for what happened on third down prior to the offense's previous drive, when he failed to move the chains despite making the catch. He did so in a big way on Sunday in the Washington Redskins' 20-14 victory over the New York Giants.

Reed – who finished the day with team highs in receptions (eight) and receiving yards (98) – had a chance to move the Redskins into field goal range or even more with a little less than eight minutes remaining in the game.

But instead of getting the much needed first down, the University of Florida product could only get to within two yards of the marker.

This came one play after a 2nd-and-10 catch couldn't get the job done, either.

"Very frustrating, man," Reed said of the two plays. "I expected to make one of them and miss every time and I did that on those two plays. I was stressed out, but they trusted me and came back to me on third down."

After the Giants marched down the field to score a touchdown, one in which Odell Beckham Jr. would extend out for one of the best catches of the season, the Redskins got the ball back with less than five minutes left in the game.

With New York's offense having momentum following two fourth quarter touchdowns, the Washington offense needed to milk as much clock as possible.

On first down, quarterback Kirk Cousins would find the tight end for a four-yard gain. On second down, it was Alfred Morris' number that was called, and the running back gained a yard.

Then on third down – with the game potentially on the line – Cousins found Reed who would record a 20-yard reception and a new set of downs for the Redskins.

"It was a great play call," Reed said. "They were playing man-to-man coverage and they gave me a choice route and I just broke him inside and he bit on the outside real hard, so I was open and I just took advantage of it."

While Reed has always been known as a great pass-catching threat, the third-year tight end is putting together his best season to date.

Through nine games, he has tallied 55 receptions for 541 yards and six touchdowns, all career bests.

Despite Pierre Garçon and DeSean Jackson also being in the fold, Reed has become Cousins' favorite target.

"He's an elite tight end," Cousins said. "He's the real deal as a receiver. As long as he's here we'll feature him and try and get him the football because he's so talented and can be a tough matchup for teams. When you have to have someone cover Pierre, DeSean and [Jamison] Crowder you start to, sometimes, run out of guys to cover someone as talented as Jordan. It becomes a good matchup for us and he's a key, key player on our team."

For Redskins head coach Jay Gruden, who came to Washington following a three-year stint at the Cincinnati Bengals' offensive coordinator, having someone like Reed in the middle of the field really makes the whole offense better.

"When you play two safeties – like the last third down is a great example – when you play man coverage underneath and two safeties over the top, your linebackers and your backs are the ones that have got to win. Jordan has proven that he can do that," Gruden said. "He's a huge weapon for us. Kirk is very comfortable with him. He's obviously a big part of our offense."

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