The Washington Redskins defeated the New York Giants 20-14 on Sunday at FedExField to notch win No. 5 and move into first place in the NFC East Division.

First place.

That's exactly where the Washington Redskins find themselves, now in the driver's seat in the NFC East into the month of December after a 20-14 victory Sunday over the New York Giants in front of 77,367 fans at FedExField.

Washington, which moves to 5-6 and surpasses its win total from a year ago, dominated the game from start to finish, using a particularly stout performance from its defense, which picked off Giants quarterback Eli Manning three times and got two Ryan Kerrigan sacks.

The offense, meanwhile, did most of its damage in a 17-point second quarter, highlighted by a 63-yard touchdown pass from Kirk Cousins to DeSean Jackson, giving the Cal product his second straight week with a touchdown reception of 50-plus yards.

With the win, the Redskins improve to 5-1 at home this season. Their five straight wins at home is Washington's first since it won its first six home games in Weeks 1-11 in the team's most recent Super Bowl title season in 1991.

The Giants, in desparation mode, were able to get on the scoreboard in the fourth quarter, thanks to a 40-yard touchdown from Manning to Reuben Randle on a 4th and 16 play with 10:19 left in the game.

The play almost never happened, however, as cornerback Bashaud Breeland two plays prior leaped in the air on a pass intended for Odell Beckham Jr. and saw the ball bounce out of his grip.

Things began to get interesting from there, and the Redskins were forced to punt on their ensuing posssesion.

The Giants took over, down 20-7, with 7:20 left in the fourth quarter.

And nine plays and 77 yards later, Manning found Odell Beckham Jr., who made one of those signature catches perhaps only he can make, diving in the end zone for a 21-yard touchdown.

After the extra point, the Giants had cut the Redskins' lead to 20-14 with 4:57 left.

New York elected to boot the ball deep on the ensuing kickoff, which was returned by Rashad Ross to the Washington 23.

The Redskins would be forced into a 3rd-and-4 on their opening drive, but Cousins cooly found tight end Jordan Reed for 20 yards to the Washington 48.

What a tremendous security blanket Reed provides, especially on key down-and-distance situations.

A couple plays later, Alfred Morris converted another first down on a seven-yard carry that used a big block by fullback Darrel Young.

But Washington would face a big 3rd and 10 play three plays later. A first down, and the game is essentially sealed. A field goal here would be tough.

But Morris would be stuffed for a one-yard loss, giving head coach Jay Gruden a tough decision, as he tried to pin the Giants deep in their own territory with 19 seconds left.

A holding call on the Redskins would add 10 yards to the return, however, setting up New York with a 1st and 10 from its own 16. They weren't able to muster much on the drive, as a last, desperate play was thrown out of bounds, securing the game -- and first place -- for the Redskins.

THIRD QUARTER: Redskins 17, Giants 0

Quinton Dunbar picked quite a time for his first-career interception.

Dunbar -- signed as an undrafted rookie wide receiver out of Florida this offseason -- was convered to cornerback during training camp after a rash of injuries at the position.

And, in the third quarter of Sunday's Redskins-Giants matchup at FedExField, in was Dunbar who made the play of the game to this point of the game for Washington.

His interception in the end zone of Eli Manning ended the Giants' first scoring threat of the afternoon midway through the third quarter, and, entering the fourth quarter, the Redskins lead the Giants 17-0.

The third quarter otherwise wasn't full of much action in today's major NFC East divisional matchup.

The Washington defense continues its dominance of Manning and the Giants' offense, as Manning has now thrown three interceptions in the game.

This is a far cry from the two teams' Week 3 matchup, in which New York had the game well in hand by this point at MetLife Stadium.

The Redskins look to tie the Giants atop the NFC East if they can hang on here in the fourth quarter.

HALFTIME: Redskins 17, Giants 0

That's more like it.

After struggling to take advantage of some key opportunities in the first half of today's game, the Washington Redskins got their offense going in the second quarter, and lead the New York Giants, 17-0, in this pivotal NFC East matchup at FedExField.

Washington capitalized with some points to open up the second quarter, as Dustin Hopkins' 41-yard field goal attempt was good, giving the Redskins a 3-0 lead with 12:23 left in the first half.

Washington could've done more damage, but two penalties -- a holding call on Morgan Moses and a pass interference call on Jordan Reed -- did them in on this drive.

Then, as it has been doing for the first quarter-plus of the game, the Redskins' defense came up big on the Giants' ensuing drive, and a Ryan Kerrigan sack of Eli Manning on third down forced a punt.

Washington finally responded in a big way on offense, as Kirk Cousins found DeSean Jackson deep for a 63-yard touchdown. After the extra point, the Redskins had a 10-0 lead entering the 10-minute mark of the second quarter.

For Jackson, the play moves him into sole possession of fifth place since the 1970 merger of total touchdowns of 50 yards or more with 23, passing Joey Galloway's 22. It was also the Redskins' first one-play drive since Week 3 of last year at Philadelphia, when Cousins found Jackson for 81 yards and a touchdown against his former team.

The Giants would be forced to punt on their next possession, and the Redskins would follow suit.

But after forcing yet another punt on the Giants' ensuing possession -- New York's fourth punt of the day -- it, again, didn't take long for the Redskins to march into Giants territory, as Cousins found running back Matt Jones on a screen play on their first play of the drive for 45 yards to the New York 35.

Jones on these screen plays is dangerous, especially when the Redskins' athletic offensive linemen get out and provide huge blocks down field like they did this time around.

Washington then got to the 5 on a 20-yard pass to tight end Jordan Reed, who is trying to make up for three key penalties (two holding calls and a pass interference) to this point of the game.

Three plays later, Cousins found Jamison Crowder on an in route for three-and-a-half yards. The officials originally ruled a touchdown, but a review determined his knee was down at the half-yard line.

But Jay Gruden sent his offense back on the field for the 4th and 1 from the half-yard line. This time around, Cousins did all the work, taking the snap under center and spinning into the end zone for the score. The play was also reviewed, but the officials did not apparently have enough visual evidence to overturn the call.

After the extra point, Washington took a 17-0 lead with 1:45 left in the half. The play was Cousins' third rushing touchdown of the season.

And, wouldn't you know it? The Redskins' defense responded, forcing yet another Giants punt.

The Redskins kneeled to milk the rest of the 40 seconds of the half.

FIRST QUARTER: Redskins 0, Giants 0

Dustin Hopkins put his foot into the opening kickoff, and Sunday's huge NFC East showdown between the Washington Redskins and New York Giants was officially underway on a cold, soggy day at FedExField.

A win for the Redskins, and they tie the Giants atop the NFC East standings heading into December. That's all you can ask for.

The Redskins won the opening coin toss and deferred to the second half, giving the Giants' offense a first crack on Sunday.

New  York appeared just fine with pounding it out on the ground on their opening possession, getting gains of seven, eight and four yards in between a couple passes before facing a 3rd and 11 (after a delay of game) from the Giants' 48-yard line.

Giants quarterback Eli Manning's pass, intended for Shane Vereen, bounced off the running back and right into the hands of linebacker Perry Riley Jr. who was pushed out of bounds at the New York 47-yard line. It was the third-career interception for Riley, and his career-best second of the season.

Just what the doctor ordered: a game-opening turnover for New York.

Kirk Cousins and the Redskins' offense took over for their first drive, as Alfred Morris got the carry on the opening play, gaining two yards, before Cousins' pass to tight end Derek Carrier picked up six.

On 3rd and 3 from the 40, Cousins tried to go deep to rookie wide receiver Jamison Crowder, but the high, lofting pass fell incomplete, and the Redskins were forced to punt. Cousins was rushed a bit on the play, which parlayed into an underthrown ball to Crowder.

Tress Way's punt set up the Giants to start their second drive from their own 6-yard line.

The Washington defense would stand strong, and on third down, Manning's pass towards Dwayne Harris was knocked into the air by cornerback Will Blackmon, caught by Harris, who was then absolutely rocked by a sideline hit by Kyshoen Jarrett.

The ball was jarred loose from Harris and right into the waiting hands of Blackmon, who earned the interception, the second of his career and first with the Redskins.

But the Washington offense again couldn't capitalize, and their screen pass to DeSean Jackson on 3rd and 21 sent out kicker Dustin Hopkins to attempt a 51-yard field goal.

The kick by Hopkins was blocked, however, giving the Giants the ball right back at their own 34.

It goes without saying, but you have to put at least some points on the board when your defense comes away with turnovers on the opposing teams' first two possessions.

Fortunately for the Redskins, their defense stood strong again on the Giants' ensuing possession. Washington started over from their own 20 with 4:24 left in the first quarter, immediately earning a first down on a 12-yard pass to Morris. The Florida Atlantic product followed that up with an eight-yard carry on the next play.

When Morris gets going, this offense is usually humming. Keep an eye on that.

After a nifty pass on 3rd and 2 to Chris Thompson, the Redskins are set up with a 1st and 10 from the New York 23-yard line.

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