Many expected an offensive shoot-out between Eli Manning and the Giants versus Kirk Cousins and the Washington Redskins. Manning, up to this point, had 21 touchdowns to 6 interceptions on the season in his second year in Ben McAdoo’s system. However, instead of the promised offensive showcase, Ryan Kerrigan and the Redskins’ defense dominated the first half. In this breakdown, we will take a look at the three interceptions that Manning threw that helped the Redskins take first place of the NFC East.
Play 1
Situation: 3rd and 11 at NYG 48
Description: (11:51 - 1st) (No Huddle, Shotgun) E.Manning pass short right intended for S.Vereen INTERCEPTED by P.Riley at WAS 46. P.Riley to NYG 47 for 7 yards (S.Vereen)
- It’s 3rd and 11 and the Giants line up in shotgun trips left with 11-personnel (1 RB - 1 TE - 3 WR)
- The Redskins respond with a modified Tampa Cover 2 dropping linebacker #93 Trent Murphy underneath linebacker #51 Will Compton while rushing three at Manning.
- Running back #34 Shane Vereen runs a quick outside breaking curl route sitting between zones on the right side of the formation.
- Manning places the ball perfectly on Vereen’s numbers, but Vereen can’t hold onto it. The ball bounces into the air right into the hands of linebacker #56 Perry Riley.
- The interception is squarely on Vereen in this play.
Play 2
Situation: 3rd and 9 at NYG 7
Description: (9:07 - 1st) (No Huddle, Shotgun) E.Manning pass deep right intended for D.Harris INTERCEPTED by W.Blackmon at NYG 32. W.Blackmon to NYG 26 for 6 yards (W.Tye)
- The Redskins bring four pass rushers from their 4-2-5 Under Wide 9 alignment.
- Ryan Kerrigan rip moves inside the right tackle through the strongside B-gap forcing Manning outside the pocket.
- Defensive tackle #92 Chris Baker loops around the strongside edge not allowing Manning to escape. This also has the effect of not allowing Manning to step into his throw which he throws with little velocity on Harris’ out-n-up route.
- This is the most ridiculous interception of the Redskins’ season. Many, including myself, thought the ball was going to be caught by wide receiver #17 Dwayne Harris after bouncing off of Blackmon’s hands in typical Redskins-fashion.
- Instead, safety #30 Kyshoen Jarrett delivers a blow to Harris’ back as he is falling while catching the ball which pops it back in the air for Blackmon.
- This interception is on Manning as Blackmon should have had a clean interception without the help of Jarrett originally for a poorly-thrown ball. He tries way too hard to force a play here to the sideline.
The first two interceptions came on the first two drives of the game by Manning. The Redskins could not convert either mistake into points, but by the time this third interception happened the Giants were already down 17-0 in the middle of the 3rd quarter. This interception occurred on the Giants’ first drive that got into the Redskins’ redzone.
Play 3
Situation: 3rd and Goal at WSH 4
Description: (7:23 - 3rd) (No Huddle, Shotgun) E.Manning pass short middle intended for R.Randle INTERCEPTED by Q.Dunbar at WAS -7. Touchback
- The Giants line up in Shotgun Slot Left Far and motion the running back to the near side of the formation.
- The Redskins bring four pass rushers, but Manning expertly steps up into the pocket formed by his offensive lineman.
- Wide receiver #82 Reuben Randle runs a slant-route into the back of the endzone and Manning attempts to fit the ball to him.
- Manning places the ball behind his intended target which former wide receiver, and now cornerback, #47 Quinton Dunbar dives underneath for the interception.
- I put the image of Manning as he is releasing the ball above. The announcers blamed Randle for allowing Dunbar to come underneath his route, and while I do agree that did happen, I also think Manning had space to place this ball in front of Randle. If he places this ball a solid yard further Dunbar would not have been able to make the play on it. At most 50/50 on Randle/Manning for this interception.
- Watching this play multiple times while using the endzone view, it almost looks like defensive tackle #98 Terrance Knighton got a piece of the ball deflecting it to make it appear like Manning placed it behind. No other replay angle was available in the broadcast of the throw from this pocket besides this view. Let me know in the comments below if you think he got a piece of it!
Overall, the Redskins’ defense dominated the Giants’ offense in both the run and the pass for the first three quarters. The first ten drives ended with seven punts and three interceptions. The Giants finally scored in the fourth quarter on a busted coverage. It was 4th and 16 and the Redskins are running a prevent defense using #23 DeAngelo Hall as the deep safety while #41 Will Blackmon follows in trail-technique. Rueben Randle runs a corner route to the front left of the Redskins’ endzone and catches a well-placed deep ball by Manning for the score.
Looking at Odell Beckham, Jr’s touchdown it was just an incredible catch. There was literally nothing Will Blackmon could have done to prevent it as he is actually playing perfectly good coverage. This is simply an example of how a perfectly thrown ball and catch beats perfect coverage.
The Redskins are 5-6 and are now officially in first place in the NFC East. The Giants have the same record at 5-6, but are 2-3 in the division. The Redskins, on the other side, have only played three divisional games and are 2-1, having only played the Eagles once and face the Cowboys next week for the first time this season.
The Redskins defensive performance was helped greatly by Ryan Kerrigan’s two sacks and the rest of the defensive line stepping up to apply pressure on Manning while Quinton Dunbar performed exceptionally well for the ‘Skins this past Sunday. The Giants are certainly not out of it as the NFC east is still wide open, yet they do have a more difficult schedule ahead of them facing the underrated Jets, Vikings, and currently undefeated Panthers.
Follow Samuel Gold on Twitter: @SamuelRGold.
