NFC East preview between Washington and the Giants

After a lackluster performance in Week 1’s loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, the Washington Football Team will look to bounce back in a major way tonight against the New York Football Giants on a short week.

It’ll be the battle of two division rivals who come into this game with offensive concerns. Washington lost quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick to a hip injury that placed him on injured reserve. The Giants lost at home, scoring only 13 points to the Broncos in Week 1.

On paper, this game should be what the doctor ordered for Washington. Daniel Jones is 8-19 as a starting quarterback in the NFL. He also has a turnover problem; he’s turned the ball over 40 times in his career, but a perfect 4-0 against Washington.

Jones has a higher quarterback rating vs. Washington than any team that he has faced more than once. He also has passed for more yards (901) against Washington than against any other opponent and has thrown for eight touchdowns. Against Denver, Jones completed only 59.5 percent of his passes for 267 yards and a touchdown. He also had a rushing touchdown but a costly fumble sealed his team’s fate in Week 1.

So how can Washington beat the Giants? They need much better defensive line play. Washington showed its ability to get to Jones in last season's second meeting, sacking him five times. Some experts believe the Giants have the worst OL in the league, so Chase Young and the boys should eat.

They also need Taylor Heinicke to spread the wealth with Terry McLaurin and Logan Thomas getting the bulk of the balls thrown to them. Heinicke looked sharp after relieving the injured Ryan Fitzpatrick and we’re expecting the same against a sound Giants secondary, as long as the offensive line plays much better than in Week 1.

Saquon Barkley, who was limited in the season opener, needs to be harnessed if Washington wants to get a win. Barkley admitted Tuesday that playing two games four days apart while coming back from a torn ACL in his right knee was not ideal. He didn't face his first contact until just a few weeks ago after suffering a major knee in Week 2 of the 2020 NFL season. He’s been in a timeshare with running back Devontae Booker and there’s no indication why that shouldn’t continue tonight.

Kickoff from FedEx Field in Landover, Md., is set for tonight at 8:20pm ET.