Redskins.com recaps Sunday's 19-3 loss to the New York Giants at Giants Stadium:
First Impressions:
#### Revealing Moment:
Through the first half, the Redskins had managed to keep the game close by forcing the Giants to kick three field goals. Down 9-3 at the start of the third quarter, the Giants went on a 15-play, 69-yard touchdown drive that consumed 8:05 off the game clock. Key play: on 3rd-and-16 at the Redskins' 26-yard line, Eli Manning connected with Amani Toomer for a 21-yard pass completion. Toomer was well-covered by Carlos Rogers and Reed Doughty, but still held on. One play later, Manning threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to Plaxico Burress to give the Giants a 16-3 lead.
Redskins Play of the Game:
#### Redskins Player of the Game:
Close call between Chris Cooley and Clinton Portis, but we'll go with Portis, who had 19 carries for 76 yards, a solid 4.0 yards-per-carry average. He had runs of 15 yards and 10 yards to help the Redskins' offense.
Redskins Unsung Hero:
#### What Went Right
-- For the first time this season, the Redskins scored first in a game. John Hall's 39-yard field goal split the uprights and gave Washington a 3-0 lead.
-- The Redskins' defense allowed the Giants to get chunks of yardage, but they stiffened in the red zone to keep the game close in the first half. The defense forced the Giants to settle for four field goals by Jay Feely. It seemed the Redskins were always one big play away from taking a lead and changing the complexion of the game. But that big play never came.
-- Rocky McIntosh logged two tackles on punt coverage. The rookie has not played a snap at weak-side linebacker this season, so he is making his mark on special teams. He has five special teams tackles so far.
What Went Wrong
#### What's Next:
The Tennessee Titans, with rookie quarterback Vince Young at the helm, arrive at FedExField next Sunday. The Titans are struggling at 0-5, but they gave the Indianapolis Colts a tough game. Young will test the Redskins' defense with his scrambling ability. Meantime, Gregg Williams goes against the team he coached with from 1990-2000, under Titans' head coach Jeff Fisher.
Stats Geek:
#### Quote:
"We've got too much talent to be 0-2 in the division, and behind the eight ball. Now [the Giants] are 2-0, and we're 0-2. We have an opportunity to put them away and shatter their hopes, and now here we are with our backs against the wall." -- Clinton Portis
Lasting Impressions:
The Redskins suddenly find themselves with little margin for error heading into the mid-stretch of the season. Sunday's game against the 0-5 Titans becomes a big one, because it is followed by games against the Indianapolis Colts, Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles. Another loss, and just as they did last season, the Redskins will have to piece together another long winning streak to ensure a postseason berth.
