The Redskins' season comes to a close during the final day of 2017, with Washington hoping to sweep its conference rival for the first time in six years.Â
The clock is ticking on the New York Giants, as serious questions linger over the organization heading into the new year and the 2018 offseason.
Meanwhile, the Washington Redskins will look to sweep their annual series against the Giants Dec. 31 for a New Year's Eve showdown. The game will be televised on FOX with a 1:00 p.m. EST kickoff at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.
After high expectations in the offseason, the Giants fell flat, earning them the second worst record in the NFL. In the weeks following the Redskins' 20-10 victory over the Giants, the team experienced its fair share of off-field drama.
After Week 13, New York parted ways with head coach Ben McAdoo. The firing, which had been expected to come after the conclusion of the regular season, coincided with the team's decision to bench franchise quarterback Eli Manning in favor of Geno Smith against the Oakland Raiders. Manning had not sat out a game since 2005 and held the second longest starting streak in the NFL with 210 consecutive games.
With Smith under center, the Giants lost 24-17, McAdoo was fired the next day and Manning immediately returned to the starting lineup.
New York named defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo interim head coach to finish out the season. Spagnuolo is best remembered in the Big Apple as the orchestrator of the Giants' 2007 defense that upset the undefeated New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII.
With Manning firmly reestablished as quarterback, the glaring issue in New York's offense lies in the running game. Tailback Orleans Darkwa peaked against the Denver Broncos in Week 5 with a 117-yard performance, but has yet to reach that mark since. New York has filtered Wayne Gallman and Shane Vereen into the mix, but the two combined recorded a little more than 500 yards entering Week 16 action.
With receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Brandon Marshall placed on injured reserve, the Giants have had to rely on tight end Evan
Check out the top images from the Redskins' Week 12 matchup against the New York Giants.
Engram and receiver Sterling Shepard in the passing game. Engram, a rookie, has shown flashes of potential, breaking the 80-yard mark three times this season. However, he had one of his worst games against the Redskins earlier this season, recording three catches for 18 yards. In the week before against Kansas City, he caught one ball for nine yards, despite being targeted six times.
Shepard, meanwhile, has been a staple in the Giants' offense, with three games with more than 130 receiving yards this season. The second-year Oklahoma product missed the Thanksgiving matchup against the Redskins, but had his second and third best games came against the then league-leading Philadelphia Eagles.
On defense, safety Landon Collins was the only Giant to be named to the Pro Bowl, with more than 100 combined tackles on the season. His best game of the year took place against the Redskins, where he accounted for more than a quarter of New York's solo tackles. However, Collins tweaked ankle against the Eagles in Week 15, and recorded just one assisted tackle.
Without cornerback Janoris Jenkins, who went to Injured Reserve after New York's first game against Washington, the Giants will rely on Eli Apple and Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie to lock down the outside. The loss of Jenkins seriously hurt the Giants' secondary, as the sixth-year corner had three interceptions on the year, two of which he returned for touchdowns.
The Giants lead the series against the Redskins 99-68-4. A win would give the Redskins their first season sweep against New York since 2011.