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Redskins.com's Andrew Walker takes a closer look at Sunday afternoon's matchup between the Washington Redskins and New York Giants at MetLife Stadium.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS **Back to the division.

With just three games remaining in the 2014 season, the Washington Redskins on Sunday began their first of three games against NFC East opponents to round out the year. They kicked off against the New York Giants hoping to snap a five-game skid and avenge a 45-14 Week 4 loss to their rivals to the northeast.

This time around, the Redskins were able to close the gap with a much better overall effort both offensively and defensively. But, in the end, the Giants were able to make just a few more plays on the day, as they defeated the Redskins 24-13 in front of an announced crowd of 77,628 at MetLife Stadium.

PLAY OF THE GAMEHow about that for your introduction to the NFL?

Up until Thursday, running back Chris Thompson had spent the entire season on the Redskins' practice squad. He was signed to the active roster after running back Roy Helu Jr. couldn't practice with a toe injury.

On Sunday, in his first-career NFL game, Thompson made a splash.

On his first-career touch, nonetheless.

With 8:24 left in the second quarter, the Redskins faced a 3rd and 4 from the Giants' 9-yard line. Quarterback Robert Griffin III – in for an injured Colt McCoy, who injured his neck in the first quarter – lined up in the shotgun and dropped back to pass.

New York had great coverage on the play, with one exception: they left Thompson wide open in the middle of the field. Griffin III found him, and the Florida State product went untouched into the end zone for a 9-yard touchdown catch.

Thompson becomes the first member of the Redskins to record a touchdown on his first-career reception since fullback Darrel Young in 2010.

PLAYER OF THE GAMEGive Griffin III a ton of credit.

After McCoy left Sunday's game against the Giants with another neck injury – perhaps re-aggravating the same injury he suffered last week against the St. Louis Rams – Griffin III did a tremendous job coming off the bench, cold, in a hostile environment.

For the Game, Griffin III completed 18-of-27 passes (67 percent) for 236 yards and one touchdown. He also ran five times for 46 yards (9.2 yards per carry), and delivered a ferocious stiff arm in the third quarter on a 23-yard scamper.

Griffin III also appeared to score via the run just before halftime on an all-out dive for the end zone. But the officials ruled Griffin III lost control of the ball and was unable to maintain possession to the ground, wiping out any and all momentum the Redskins had gained to that point.

It's immediately unclear what Washington will do at the quarterback position, but kudos to Griffin III for coming in and performing under understandably stressful conditions Sunday.* *

UNSUNG HEROFor a second-straight week, Will Compton was everywhere for the Redskins' defense.

Compton -- making his fourth start of the season at middle linebacker after Keenan Robinson was unable to play with a knee injury -- had nine tackles for Washington on Sunday vs. the Giants, a week after recording 17 against the Rams.

Compton is one of those guys who can and will do anything it takes to get onto the field. He showed he can do the job on special teams, and now, in a backup, emergency starter-type role for the Redskins, the Nebraska product is showing he has a real nose for the ball.* *

WHAT'S NEXTWith today's NFC East matchup against the New York Giants officially a thing of the past, the Washington Redskins now turn their focus to their battle against the Philadelphia Eagles at FedExField.

The Redskins and Eagles kickoff Saturday at 4:30 p.m. in a matchup televised on the NFL Network.

The Eagles enter today's action with a 9-4 record, and are tied for first in the NFC East with the Dallas Cowboys. Those two teams square off tonight at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday Night Football.

Here's some notes of interest from Saturday's Redskins-Eagles matchup, courtesy of Redskins Public Relations:

• The Redskins and Eagles will meet on a Saturday for the fifth time in series history. Washington is 2-2 against the Eagles in Saturday games, including a 31-30 win at Philadelphia on Oct. 1, 1955 and a 20-6 win at Philadelphia in the NFC Wild Card Round on Jan. 5, 1991.
• The Redskins will attempt to even their all-time record in Saturday games at 24-24. The Redskins will seek their first Saturday victory since a 17-10 NFC Wild Card Round win over the Buccaneers on Jan. 7, 2006. The Redskins' last regular season Saturday victory came on Dec. 24, 2005, against the New York Giants.
• The Redskins are 41-35-3 all-time in regular season home games against the Eagles.

RELATED LINKS:-- Follow @Redskins On Twitter
-- Washington Redskins Media Gallery

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