MMQB: Knowing is difference

The ancient rivalry between the Washington Redskins and New York Giants can’t be considered one anymore: It has reached that point of one-sidedness.

The Redskins came into frigid FedEx Field on Monday night coming off a solid five-game stretch, having beaten wild-card contender Denver and Oakland by double digits and lost late heartbreakers to Dallas, Philadelphia and NFC South champion New Orleans.

The Giants had lost six of eight after a 5-0 start and were on the brink of playoff elimination. But they had won six of seven against the Redskins.

So it should have been no surprise that the Giants steamrolled the Redskins 45-12, jumping to a 24-0 lead on 39 plays as opposed to the Redskins’ nine.

Q: Why do the Giants own the Redskins? Washington swept Philadelphia last year and split with Dallas the past three seasons.

A: Redskins defensive end Renaldo Wynn, who played for the Giants in 2008 and was previously with Washington from 2002 to 2006, said New York expects to beat Washington while the Redskins hope to beat the Giants. The difference between knowing and hoping makes all the difference.

Q: Washington had the NFL’s eighth-ranked third-down defense. New York was 15th in third-down offense. But the Giants converted their first six third downs.

A: Your point? Seriously, New York’s offensive line just dominated its matchup with Washington’s defensive front until Albert Haynesworth sacked Eli Manning to end the Giants’ third possession and force a field goal.

Q: The Giants’ pass rush came alive against the Redskins with two sacks on Jason Campbell’s first five dropbacks. How come?

A: Where Justin Tuck and Co. have been against the rest of the NFL is a mystery, but Redskins left tackle Levi Jones was out of the league for the first half of the season for a reason and right tackle Stephon Heyer wasn’t that good before he became virtually one-legged after spraining a knee in Week 8 against Philadelphia.

Q: Jon Gruden said on ESPN before the game that he won’t coach in the NFL in 2010. If Chucky is out, who’s going to take over this horror show?

A: Mike Shanahan is the leader in the clubhouse, especially since Dallas stunned New Orleans on Saturday, making the Cowboys more likely to reach the playoffs and keep Wade Phillips. If the Redskins don’t get Shanahan, they’ll likely have to choose between Brian Billick, Jim Fassel and Russ Grimm.

Q: Why did Jason Campbell play with a sprained throwing shoulder?

A: Campbell should have called it a night - and maybe a season, especially considering how Dan Snyder has treated him - but the quarterback is a tough guy and a leader, so he returned.

Q: What the heck happened right before halftime on the fake field goal?

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