The New York Giants staged the "Larry Donnell and Eli Manning Show" in the first half, as the pair connected for three touchdowns to lead the Giants to a 24-7 halftime advantage over the Washington Redskins.
Our Giants/Redskins Halftime Quick Hitters
The Giants kept the pressure on throughout the second half, forcing turnover after turnover en route to a dominating 45-14 win.
Here's five thing we learned from this clash between NFC East rivals:
5. Rumors Of Eli Manning's End Were Greatly Exaggerated
A large portion of the national media wrote Manning off after the Giants sputtered to an 0-2 start in 2014. After the worst season of Eli's career in 2013, it was hard to fully argue the point - until these last two games. Manning absolutely owned the field in Week 3 against the Texans, and with the help of TE Larry Donnell's historic first half (3 TD catches), he did it once again in D.C.
Eli finished 28-of-39, 300 yards, with 4 TDs passing, 1 TD rushing, and a lone INT. That would be more than enough on this night.
4. The Washington Redskins' Secondary Will Miss DeAngelo Hall
After giving up 37 points to the multidimensional Philadelphia Eagles in Week 3, the Redskins' defense was in need of a statement game on Thursday. However, with cornerback DeAngelo Hall out for the season with an Achilles injury, the Redskins' secondary was brutally picked apart by Eli Manning and New York's suddenly potent passing attack for 45 points.
They weren't helped much by QB Kirk Cousins' catastrophic second half (more on that later), but there's still cause for concern heading the season's second quarter.
3. This Giants Team Is Better Than Previously Expected:
At the end of Week 2, there was a palpable fear around the Meadowlands that the Giants could be facing a similar plight to the 0-6 start they got off to in 2013. What a difference two weeks makes. Dominating victories over the Texans and Redskins not only give the Giants a pulse at 2-2, but make them an intriguing team to watch in both the NFC East and NFC Wild Card races.
2. Kirk Cousins Remains A Major Work In Progress
Cousins' third quarter on Thursday was the stuff of nightmares. The 26-year-old Illinois native threw three interceptions over the course of five Washington possessions, and was visibly shaken as the Giants drove back the last of those picks to put the game out of reach at 38-14.
His fourth quarter didn't start off much better, as he would throw his fourth pick on the Redskins' first drive of the frame to further punctuate one of the roughest stretches of play a QB could ever have.
Cousins (19-of-33, 257 yards, 1 TD, 4 INTs) would do well to shelve this game and move along. However, with the added scrutiny of a QB controversy in Washington, it could be difficult to brush this one off.
1. The Giants Defense Has The Talent To Take This Team Far
New York's D heard the grumblings after Week 2. The supposedly "overpaid" and "underperforming" unit has turned things around in a hurry, forcing six turnovers (four INTs, two fumbles) on Thursday and nine over the past two weeks.
Four different Giants defenders picked off Cousins on this night, showcasing the defense's depth in front of a shocked Washington crowd. If New York's defense can continue to capitalize on its aggression, an NFC East title isn't out of the question.
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