Giants vs. Redskins Full Team Grades

Rushing Defense Grade: A

Sep 24, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Washington Redskins running back Matt Jones (31) leaps over New York Giants corner back Prince Amukamara (20) but fumbles the ball out of the end zone for a touchback in front of New York Giants defensive back Trevin Wade (31) during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Coming into the game, the Giants had the third best rush defense in the NFL, while the Redskins had the strongest running attack. That meant something had to give; the end result was kind of a draw by the final stats, but this was on area the Giants won in again.

The Giants run defense was one of the worst in the NFL last season, but it has been an area of great improvement in 2015. That continued against the Redskins, as the Giants shut down the Redskins strength and forced them to their weakness; the passing game.

Matt Jones entered the game as a hot name after tearing through the St. Louis Rams for 123 yards and two touchdowns. The Giants weren’t phased though, as they shut Jones down. Jones gained only 38 yards on 11 carries as the Giants were able to bottle him up. They also forced a fumble on Jones late in the fourth quarter when it looked like the Giants were en route to blowing another big fourth quarter lead.

Alfred Morris took a backseat in this game because of gameflow, handling only six carries for 19 yards. The only player to have any success was Chris Thompson, as he gained 28 yards on two carries.

But, his longest scamper of 26 yards came on the final play of the game in the most garbage of garbage time situations. If you take that out, the Giants dominated the Redskins running game, as they gained only 62 yards on 19 carries outside that 26 yard game at the end. For the Giants to neutralize the Redskins strength in the way that they did was very impressive, and they earned the grade they received.

Next: Special Teams Grade