Editor’s Note: AJ Kaufman’s weekly MNF coverage on MSF is sponsored by Sadler’s Smokehouse, a producer of premium pit smoked meats that are best described by Sadler’s slogan: Legendary since 1948.
Sadler’s premium meats are perfect for tailgating on Saturday, for grilling out at home on Sunday, or for when you are hosting a group of friends, or even just the family, on Monday night.
With a variety of delicious choices (beef, pork, ribs, turkey, brisket, and more) and availability at grocery stores throughout the U.S., Sadler’s meats are the tasty, convenient choice when you want to watch the big game and eat well while you’re doing it.
Check out Sadler’s Monday Night Football Recipe of the Week: Sadler’s Smokehouse Sadler’s Smokehouse Pulled Pork Asian Wraps
Visit the Sadler’s Smokehouse website: Sadler’s Smokehouse
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Monday Night Football Preview
New York Giants (7-6) at Washington Redskins (4-9)
- Giants-Redskins Date: Monday, December 21
- Giants-Redskins Kickoff Time: 8:30
- Giants-Redskins TV Network: ESPN
- Giants-Redskins Announcers: Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski, and Jon Gruden
- Giants-Redskins Point Spread: Giants -3
- Giants-Redskins Over-Under Odds: 43
- Giants-Redskins Spread Pick: Boy oh boy, it is hard for me to justify taking the Giants minus 3 here. New York hasn’t been able to stop anyone through the air, and the Redskins suddenly have a potent passing game. Obviously the Giants need this game more, but I have a sneaking suspicion that the Redskins are going to revel playing the underdog role, and are going to be successful doing so at home. Giants-Redskins free pick: Redskins +3
Giants-Redskins Analysis
If Cowboy fans think they’re team is desperate for a big win, they can look to New York for “empathy.” Few teams have been as porous as the Giants the past two months. Once 5-0 and benefiting from a weak schedule, they’ve gone 2-6 since, and now find themselves clinging to the final playoff spot alongside Dallas, Atlanta and San Francisco.
New York looked pitiful against Denver on Thanksgiving tonight, and then in primetime this past Sunday, looked pitiful on the defensive side in a 45-38 loss to the archrival Eagles, who scored 85 points in their two wins over Big Blue in 2009.
A loss to a suddenly-inspired Redskin team could send New York spiraling to an early offseason. It’s not Eli Manning’s fault, as interceptions and occasional subpar games notwithstanding, the former super bowl MVP is having a personal record-setting season. And New York is basically turning to Peyton’s little brother to save their once-promising campaign. Eli understands the consequence of any more setbacks, noting on Thursday that “We have to take care of our business starting with this (next) one. Right now every game is a must win.” This is true, and infighting among receivers ain’t helpful either.
As for the Redskins, the city found reason for newfound optimism this past week, as Vinny Cerrato stepped down as GM and made way for Bruce Allen. Many sportswriters had long speculated that Cerrato had been a puppet for the unbridled decision-making of owner Daniel Snider, while others had simply said that Cerrato’s inept decision-making rendered him a substandard NFL GM. Most agreed that Cerrato had only remained GM because of his personal friendship with owner Daniel Snider, but this is now immaterial, as Cerrato and his decade of poor decisions are behind Washington fans for good.
Rumors have persisted that the Redskins will bring in Mike Shanahan to be Jim Zorn’s successor as coach of the Redskins, and if these rumors prove true, expect Shanahan to clean house on the offensive side of the ball. But before Washington fans get too overly excited, they should realize that the potential for Bruce Allen’s hiring to effectively render change within the organization will be entirely contingent upon how much reign he will be given by “hands-on” owner Daniel Snider.
As Michael Wilbon recently put it: “If Allen is running the football team and having, overwhelmingly, the final say in personnel decisions — from the coaching staff to the backup long snapper — then the Redskins have a chance. If Snyder is making those decisions, then this delirious civic relief over Cerrato’s departure and widespread optimism over Allen’s arrival will wind up being a complete waste of emotion.”
Ultimately, this “changing of the guard” represents a golden opportunity for Snyder to shed his reputation as an impulsive owner. That being said, he is seemingly only a couple more seasons away from reaching Al Davis infamy.
As to the team, had Alanis Morissette been able to see into the future, she probably would have included a verse about Jason Campbell in her song “ironic.”
Since the Redskins traded up to draft Campbell in the first round, he never was given a real chance. It seemed like last year, Campbell was finally putting it together, throwing no picks through the first half of the year and guiding the Redskins to an unexpected 6-2 start. When the second half of the Redskins’ 2008 season took a turn for the worst, it was Campbell’s head everyone wanted on a silver platter. Nevertheless, Campbell, despite going through the second half of the season with a constantly injured offensive line, broke-down running back, and a deficient receiving corps, was able to piece together a 2-1 TD/INT ratio.
The Redskins did everything possible to let Campbell know he was not wanted in the off-season by (1) not offering him an extension, and (2) pursuing Jay Cutler and Mark Sanchez vigorously. It was speculated that Campbell wouldn’t be back no matter how well the Redskins finished this year, and after a mediocre statistical start for Campbell and a vastly disappointing first half, his fate was sealed.
Then something entirely unexpected happened: the light went on with Campbell.
Over the past three games, he’s played the best football of his career, averaging 250 yards per game and over two TDs. Campbell’s starting offensive line currently includes a player who was out of the league last year (Mike Williams), a player who was cut this year (Levi Jones), and a former undrafted free agent (Stephon Heyer). The current starting running back (Quinton Gaither) wasn’t even on the team the first few weeks of the season and the Redskins best receiving threat (Chris Cooley) is out for the year.
Yet Campbell has been a wizard in the second half, finally displaying the promise that made him a first round pick in 2006. On pace for over 3500 yards and 20 TDs, he is vastly outplaying both Cutler and Sanchez.
A friend in Maryland emailed me recently:
“Redskins fans should hope to God that Bruce Allen offers Campbell the extension that the Redskins neglected to offer him last year, and that Jason Campbell hasn’t already mentally decided to “move on.” If he does decide to stay, he has the potential to be the best franchise quarterback since Joe Theismann. Wherever he ends up however, Campbell has made it clear that he belongs as a starting QB in this league and I think his career is only on the upswing.”
Giants-Redskins Prediction
Giants players have called this a must-win game, and they likely know that facing the intra-division 4-9 Redskins will be a lot tougher than most would believe. The ‘Skins are playing their “best” football right now, whipping the Raiders in Oakland, putting a scare into the Eagles and almost ending the Saints’ perfect season, all in the past three weeks.
In 2008, Washington beat the Eagles in Week 16, two years prior, they played Philly and the Giants close in December. Naturally, the Redskins claim they have no interest in playing spoiler. But of course they do.
Will they?
No, not this time. The Giants usually rise up in these instances and will here too.
Giants-Redskins Prediction: Giants
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* – Eli Manning photo credit: Noontime Sports
* – Jason Campbell photo credit: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images North America via Zimbio.com
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