|
|
|
GAME DAY PREVIEW Game time: 1:00pm ET Washington (0-1-0) at NY Giants (1-0-0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Records
Not only didn't the Redskins win their first game for new owner Daniel Snyder, they blew a 21-point fourth-quarter lead and eventually dropped a 41-35 decision in overtime to the Dallas Cowboys. The pressure on Turner could increase dramatically if the Redskins (0-1) don't turn things around on Sunday against the New York Giants (1-0) at Giants Stadium. Washington will play its next two games at Giants Stadium, facing the Jets next week. "I don't see this as a save Norv game at all, I really don't," said Giants coach Jim Fassel, whose team has never opened the season with two straight wins. "Like most people, they are going to look at the guy over the longterm and make some decisions. Hey, one game; holy smokes, we play 16 games." The problem for Turner is his five-year stint with Washington has not been great. The Redskins, who have not been to the playoffs since 1992, have only had two winning seasons in five years under him. The season started very well, but it only lasted the first three quarters. "I think Norv is a tremendous coach," said new Redskins quarterback Brad Johnson, who completed 20 of 33 passes for 382 yards and two touchdowns against Dallas. "If we win seven or eight games in a row, they might give him an extension. That's how much confidence I have in Norv. I think (with) Mr. Snyder, there is a lot of pressure. He has high expectations for this organization." The Giants also come into the game with high expectations, especially for their offense, which was limited to 107 yards on Sunday in a 17-13 win over Tampa Bay. New York's defense scored all its points, returning a fumble and an interception for TDs and setting up a field goal with a pickoff in Bucs' territory. "I still have a lot of confidence in our offense and what we can do out there," quarterback Kent Graham said. "We have to go out this week and function as a unit, not have any breakdowns like last week." The Redskins defense seemingly might serve as a quick fix for the Giants offense. It gave up 541 yards against Dallas, including a game-winning 76-yard scoring pass in overtime. "When you have that many chances to win a game and don't get it done, it's difficult," Turner said. "We are all in this to win and we didn't get it done. Now we have another chance." The key for Washington this week could be forgetting about that, which might not be easy. "The pain is still there, but we know we have to go on to the Giants," defensive tackle Dan Wilkinson said. When asked if this week was a must-win game, he nodded his head. "It's critical," he said. "We have to rise to the occasion." The key for the Giants is to play well defensively against a Redskins team that showed a lot of balance in gaining 504 yards. Stephen Davis ran for 109 yards and two TDs and Michael Westbrook had five catches for 159 yards and two TDs. New York forced five turnovers in beating the Bucs. "They have a lot of talent, with the new quarterback, a good line, running back and Westbrook," Giants defensive tackle Keith Hamilton said. "But I'm more concerned with our mindset. If our mindset is right, I'm not too worried about what they do. We need to control what we do and if we do that, things will be just fine."
If that's the case, it won't be fine for Turner.
Records source: STATS, Inc. Copyright 1999 STATS, Inc. Commercial distribution without the express written consent of STATS is prohibited. | ALSO SEE NFL Scoreboard Washington Clubhouse NY Giants Clubhouse Week 2 previews
|