Interceptions prove big in upset East Rutherford, N.J. — Eli Manning upped his game this season, playing like an elite quarterback, some experts contended. The numbers suggested as much. Just don’t take his numbers against the Redskins; they suggest something far different.
Manning has thrown 25 touchdowns and only 11 interceptions in 12 games against other teams this season. But in two games vs. Washington, Manning threw no touchdowns and four interceptions and posted his two worst passer rating days.
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On Sunday, the Redskins intercepted him three times and sacked him three times in their 23-10 win.
“You could feel him get a little impatient,” Redskins linebacker Brian Orakpo said.
The Redskins stopped Manning on his first series following a Rex Grossman interception. Manning threw three straight incompletions. They stopped him on his second and third series as well, forcing two more three-and-outs.
In fact, they stopped the Giants for most of the first three quarters; 157 of the their 324 yards came in the fourth quarter when they trailed by 17 points.
And the key was stopping Manning. The Redskins succeeded in part by mixing up coverages and trying to confuse him long enough to allow the rush to pressure him. And the rush often forced Manning outside the pocket — and his comfort zone.
“We weren’t getting the sacks, but we were getting the pressure, get him moving his feet to make him uncomfortable to where he’s throwing interceptions,” Orakpo said. “That’s where he’s throwing the erratic passes, getting him a little confused out there.”
The Redskins intercepted Manning in the second quarter, when safety Oshiomogho Atogwe dived for a tipped pass. It led to a touchdown. Cornerback DeAngelo Hall intercepted him in the third, when he turned properly on an out route off a double move and cut in front of receiver Hakeem Nicks. It led to a field goal. And cornerback Josh Wilson intercepted Manning in the end zone with the Redskins ahead by 20 early in the fourth quarter.
“No quarterback is patient enough to keep dinking and dunking,” Hall said. “Eventually they take their shots. If you play coverages the right way, you’ll get an opportunity.”
