The shifting worked one week, causing confusion against hapless Houston. The toss sweep worked the next, leading an upset over touted Jacksonville.
So the Redskins tried both against the Giants.
The Redskins also failed at both against the Giants. Nor could they throw long. Nor could they score points in the 19-3 loss to the Giants.
The offense, though, was most confounding. They gained a combined 976 yards the past two games. Sunday, they finished with 164.
“We never really got on track with the run or pass,” running back Clinton Portis said.
No kidding. Washington too often was in second and long and finished three of 11 on third downs. The Giants were not fooled by Washington’s shifting and motion. In fact, at times they appeared to sense what was coming.
When the Redskins tried a shovel pass to receiver Antwaan Randle El in the first quarter, it was easily stuffed. On a second-quarter play, they sent tight end Chris Cooley in motion to the left; the linebackers jumped to their left — right where the run went.
“We simplified our defense and that made it a lot easier,” Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce said.
New York played a cover two defense most of the game, preventing Washington from taking many shots downfield. Giants secondary coach Peter Guinta spent five years in Kansas City with Redskins playcaller Al Saunders.
“They were probably more patient [in coverage] and didn’t bust as many coverages,” Saunders said.
“We can’t leave things on the field,” Redskins right guard Randy Thomas said. “When we’re playing great, we throw everything at them. Let’s just play. … We just couldn’t get anything going.”
