EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Eli Manning held the ball and waited. He frantically looked down the field, desperately trying to find an open receiver. But, as was the case most of the afternoon, the New York Giants quarterback, again, soon found himself in a familiar spot: on the ground.
The Redskins defense had seven sacks in Sunday’s 20-13 win over the Giants and the unit carried them to their third straight victory. Washington is now 5-2 and remains in first place in the NFC East.
The final score was closer than most of the game felt.
New York (1-7) scored its lone touchdown with just 17 seconds left when Manning connected with tight end Evan Engram on a two-yard score.
But the Redskins defense spent much of the afternoon with the game under tight control.
Manning had 316 yards, but threw two interceptions — both picks by safety D.J. Swearinger. The veteran quarterback had little time to look downfield, often resorting to check-downs and passes short of the sticks.
“We just getting started,” Swearinger said. “We just turning the stove on, man. We ain’t even put the grease in yet, ya feel me? We just got to keep it rolling.”
The Redskins took care of business.
Throughout practice last week, players and coaches emphasized the importance of not overlooking the Giants despite the record. On Sunday, the Redskins defense looked prepared.
Defensive end Matt Ioannidis led the team with 2 1/2 sacks, while linebacker Ryan Kerrigan had 1 1/2. Defensive tackle Daron Payne, defensive end Jonathan Allen and linebacker Josh Harvey-Clemons also each recorded a sack.
Allen said the performance was “hands down” their best of the year.
“That’s what happens when you grind Monday through Friday,” Allen said. “It shows up on Sunday. It’s about putting games like this back-to-back-to-back.”
But while the Redskins defense was dominant, the offense was a different story. The unit couldn’t capitalize on the defense’s stops or extend the lead past 10 points. In fact, it was a one-score game for most of the contest.
Quarterback Alex Smith threw for under 200 yards for the third straight game. The 34-year-old went 20 of 32 for 178 yards and averaged just 5.6 yards per attempt. Washington made more of an effort to get their top playmakers involved, but often had to settle for a field goal or, worse, a punt to pin the Giants on their own side of the field.
Even running back Adrian Peterson was held in check — until he ripped off a 64-yard touchdown in the fourth to help seal the game. He even fumbled in the third quarter.
Peterson still finished with 149 yards on 26 carries.
“You have to be able to keep just grinding it out and put your best foot forward,” Peterson said. “The defense played outstanding.”
Washington was without cornerback Quinton Dunbar (shin) for the second straight game. That meant seventh-rounder Greg Stroman was occasionally matched up with star Odell Beckham, which, on paper, figured to be a problem for the Redskins.
But the Virginia Tech corner held his own. Beckham torched Stroman for a 44-yard gain, but that was the only notable big play surrendered by the rookie.
The Redskins relied on a group effort to contain Beckham, who finished with 136 yards on eight catches. While Beckham still had his stats, he didn’t score. And the Redskins even anticipated some of his routes — with Swearinger grabbing his first interception with 6:33 left in the second after he jumped in front of a Beckham slant.
Washington’s defense again shut down a high-profile running back. Rookie sensation Saquon Barkley, who was drafted second overall, had just 38 yards on 13 carries.
Washington, of course, ranked dead-last in rushing defense last year.
“After the Saints game, it could’ve gone a lot of different ways with this football team,” coach Jay Gruden said, referencing his team’s 43-19 blowout loss in Week 5. “The leaders stepped up and said enough is enough and we came out and competed and won three straight, which is a heck of a tribute to the veterans and of course the rookie on this football game.
“We are still competing and still battling.”
Up next Sunday at FedEx Field for the 5-2 Redskins are the 3-4 Atlanta Falcons, who will be coming off their bye week.
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