Monday 2 January 2017 01:26, UK
The Washington Redskins failed to qualify for the NFL play-offs after losing 19-10 at home to the New York Giants. Washington fought back to 10-10 through Jordan Reed's one yard touchdown, but it wasn't enough as the visitors got two late scores to eliminate the Redskins from post-season contention.
In 140 Characters...
Redskins eliminated after comeback falls short. Giants avoided major injury and showed improved running game ahead of Wild Card game.
MVP
Rookie running back Paul Perkins smashed his career-high rushing total with 102 yards from 21 carries, as New York looked to keep pressure off Odell Beckham Jr. and move the ball on the ground.
Game-changer
In New York territory, Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins made a play for Pierre Garcon, but the pass was picked off by Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie's, ending the Redskins' hopes of back-to-back play-off appearances.
Stat of the night
0 - The Giants didn't allow a single point in the final five minutes of any game this season, becoming the only team to do so.
The game
After exchanging three-and-outs on their opening drives, it was New York who took a first quarter lead. Eli Manning was penalised for intentionally grounding the ball to avoid the sack, costing the Giants ten yards and forcing them to settle for a 22-yard field goal.
Rashad Jennings then scored the first touchdown of the night, running in from two yards out to take advantage of an unnecessary roughness penalty called on Washington cornerback Josh Norman.
It was a disappointing first half showing from the Redskins who totalled just 83 yards of total offence, while Cousins was sacked three times.
New York got into the red zone on their first drive of the second half, but failed to capitalise after Manning's pass was tipped on fourth-and-two.
The Redskins looked to make things happen with a 49-yard catch and run by Garcon, but on the very next play, Rodgers-Cromartie picked off Cousins to end the attack.
Washington did get themselves on the score sheet at the end of the third period with a 32-yard field goal from Dustin Hopkins, and the Redskins levelled the score with an 11-play, 76-yard drive on their next possession. On third and 17, Garcon broke a tackle with a 21-yard run, before tight end Reed caught the one-yard touchdown pass.
Robbie Gould's 40-yard field goal gave New York the lead once more and, with less than two minutes to play, Rodgers-Cromartie picked off Cousins for the second time. Washington did get the ball back, but with time expiring, Reed's lateral pass was intercepted by Trevin Wade, who ran it in for a touchdown.
The loss eliminates Washington, who must now decide whether to offer franchise-QB Cousins a new deal or let him test the market as a free agent.
Ben McAdoo's Giants remain the NFC's fifth seed, and will face the winner of Detroit v Green Bay in the NFC's Wild Card play-off round.
