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Redskins at Giants: Game preview, odds, prediction

By Joseph Karbousky

Sep 18, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz (80) reacts during the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz (80) reacts during the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Week 3 of the 2016 NFL season is an important one for many teams, but for the Washington Redskins, it may be the difference between getting back into the divisional race and fading into the early abyss.

When Washington visits Metlife Stadium this weekend it will have its back against the wall. Sure, it may only be Week 3, but the 0-2 Redskins are in jeopardy not only of falling to 0-3 hole, but also of dropping to 0-2 in divisional play. If they expect to beat the Giants this Sunday, QB Kirk Cousins is going to have to step his game up quickly.

Cousins played much better in Week 2 vs. Dallas than he did vs. the Steelers in Week 1. However, he knows that if the Redskins are to repeat as NFC East champs, he needs to produce in crunch time.

According to CBS Sports, Cousins knows he is off to a sub-par start in 2016.

"”This is a quarterback-driven league,” Cousins said. ”I need to play at a high level, week in and week out.”"

Through the first two games, Cousins has thrown three interceptions and only one touchdown pass. That’s not going to get it done.

The Giants on the other hand are off to a great start.

New York is on top of the NFC East, along with the Philadelphia Eagles at 2-0, and the G-Men are favored to beat the Redskins this week. The numbers are far from gaudy, but so far the Giants defense looks a million times better than it did last season. And as they say in the sports world, “a boring win is better than an exciting loss.”

The Giants defense held the Saints to 13 points last week in their 16-13 win. They are giving up an average of 16 points per game, which isn’t good news for a struggling Washington offense.

Las Vegas odds makers have the Giants listed as a 4 point favorite, with the over/under point total set at 44.5.

Next: NFL prediction - Cowboys at Redskins

The Skins need a win. Unfortunately, they aren’t going to get one. When the Giants start 3-0, they usually are playoff bound, and they know it. With Victor Cruz back and a revamped defense, New York moves to 3-0 on the season.

Pick — Giants -4

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