Prime-Time to Shine: Redskins Defeat the Giants, 17-16

The Redskins have not had a meaningful December football game since their 2005 and 2007 late-season playoff runs. Mark this date down – on December 3rd, 2012 under the Monday Night Football lights, the Washington Redskins picked a prime-time to shine.

Washington defeated the New York Giants 17 to 16 – rolling past a division rival for the 3rd time in a row. It’s a historic feat. The Washington Redskins have their first streak of three NFC East wins in three consecutive weeks since 2005 (Weeks 15-17). It’s all coming full circle. The Washington Redskins may be a “couple pieces away” from being a contender, as Giants’ receiver Victor Cruz said. But they are clearly ready to contend.

It wasn’t an easy victory. The Redskins defense was unable to consistently stop the Giants’ offense on third downs, but when the game was on the line – the Redskins’ defense rose to the occasion.

Players prepped for excellence results (if you missed PPFE, click here): 

• Alfred Morris accomplished every milestone against the New York Giants. He’s now has over 1,000 yards on the season, making him the first Redskins’ running back to do so since Clinton Portis in 2008. Morris also ran over 82 yards, surpassing Reggie Brooks rookie Redskins’ rushing record (1,063 yards), and with 124 yards rushing – Morris became the first Redskins’ running back to run for 100 yards, 5 times in a season since Clinton Portis in ’08.

•  Barry Cofield didn’t do anything that stood out. The entire front 7 struggled against the Giants, but was clutch in the right situations.

•  Joshua Morgan had a heads up play on an early Robert Griffin III fumble. Morgan ended up catching the fumble and turning it into a touchdown, putting the Redskins on top of the Giants 7-3. Just the way they drew it up during the preparation week.