The Washington Redskins were defeated by the New York Giants, 41-35, in an overtime thriller on Sunday that closed out the 2019 home slate and dropped the teams’ record to 3-12 on the season. Their first overtime game since 2017 wrapped up the Redskins 2019 home slate with a record of 1-7. Heading into next week’s season finale against the struggling Dallas Cowboys, the Redskins will be looking to close out the season with their first win in the NFC East. They currently sport a 0-5 mark within the division.
Yesterday’s game was full of fireworks as both teams offenses were able to effectively move the ball at will on the opposing team’s defense.
The Giants (4-11) were able to capitalize on big plays from All-Pro running back Saquon Barkley and the Redskins struggling secondary. Giants quarterback Daniel Jones threw for 352 yards and five touchdowns. Barkley rushed for 189 yards on 22 carries with a touchdown. The former Penn State star also pulled in a touchdown reception to cap his big day.
#Redskins injuries and benching of Norman have caught up at CB. The lack of communication on the back end of the defense is obvious.
— Lake Lewis Jr (@LakeLewis) December 22, 2019
Washington was game, however, and put up and fight to force the contest to go into overtime.
Rookie quarterback Dwayne Haskins Jr. continued his hot hand before succumbing to an ankle injury at the start of the second half. The former Ohio State standout has shown steady improvement since becoming the full-time starter and against the Giants was on his way to a special performance before the injury.
Dwayne Haskins is out here making throws! But remember people said he was bad and might be a bust 🤦🏽♂️🙄 I heard everything about the kid and now look. Get starting reps and playing time and you have the QB that was the BIG 10 Offensive Player of the Year. #Redskins
— Lake Lewis Jr (@LakeLewis) December 22, 2019
Haskins was 12/15 for 133 yards and threw two touchdown passes.
The young trio of rookie receivers the Redskins have started of late in Terry McLaurin (7 receptions for 86 yards), Steven Sims Jr (six receptions for 64 yards and two touchdowns), and Kelvin Harmon (five receptions for 58 yards) continue to show they are new nucleus that will have to be reckoned with in the future.
Unfortunately for the Redskins, their defense could not make the plays needed to secure their second home win of the season and first within the division. On the day, the defense gave up a total of 552 yards to the Giants offense.
Here are some important Redskins game notes from the Week 16 overtime loss:
OFFENSE
The Redskins scored 35 points, their most since Week 16 of 2016 [41 versus Chicago].
Haskins Jr. completed his first 10 passes for 121 yards and two touchdowns. It was the longest completion streak of his career.
Running Back Adrian Peterson rushed for 36 yards on 15 carries with a touchdown. Peterson now has 111 career rushing touchdowns and is in sole possession of fourth place in NFL history having surpassed Hall of Famer Walter Payton.
McLaurin passed Anthony Armstrong [871] for No. 2 all-time in receiving yards for a rookie and is now eight yards away from breaking the franchise record currently held by Gary Clark [926].
Terry McLaurin (918) passed my boy @MrArmstrong13 (871) for No. 2 all-time in receiving yards for a #Redskins rookie. He’s eight yards away from breaking the franchise mark held by @GaryClarkInc (926).
— Lake Lewis Jr (@LakeLewis) December 23, 2019
McLaurin moved to No. 4 in franchise history for receptions by a rookie, passing Charley Taylor [53 in 1964]. The former Ohio State product needs four more receptions to pass Art Monk for No. 3 in franchise history.
Sims Jr. has five touchdowns this season which is the second-most on the Redskins.
DEFENSE
Linebacker Jon Bostic finished the game with five tackles (four solo) and one quarterback hit. Bostic has now set a new single-season high in total tackles with 99, according to STATS LLC. His previous season-high was 94.
Rookie Linebacker Cole Holcomb registered four solo tackles to give him 95 on the season. Holcomb passed Andre Collins [93 in 1990] for No. 3 on the Redskins single-season list for most tackles by a rookie, according to STATS LLC.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Redskins blocked a punt for the first time since October 15, 2015, when Jeron Johnson blocked a punt against the Jets.
Kicker Dustin Hopkins went five-for-five on extra points. He did not attempt a field goal. He now has 501 career points which are fifth in franchise history and only the fifth player in Redskins history to reach 500 points.