Really? NBC and the NFL are going to make New York Giants and Washington Redskins's fans wait until 8:30 p.m. ET to watch the 4-7 Giants face the 3-8 Washington Redskins? If you hate that thought just think of how the national Sunday Night Football audience feels about being subjected to this game between NFC East also-rans.
A year ago, Giants-Redskins was electric with the two teams fighting it out for a division title -- which Washington won. This season? From the perspective of a national audience? Eewwwwwww!
The Giants and Redskins have to qualify as two of the NFL's most disappointing teams and, fittingly, they are led by two of the league's most disappointing quarterbacks.
Only New York Jets rookie Geno Smith (18) has thrown more interceptions than the 17 tossed by Eli Manning of the Giants. Manning has only 14 TDs, a 56.9 percent completion percentage and a passer rating of 72.5.
Robert Griffin III of Washington, the subject of much conversation, has 11 INTs, only 5 TD passes, a completion percentage of 59.8 and a passer rating of 81.8.
Neither of these teams is likely to be able to make a playoff run. Perhaps one of them can salvage some respect with a few victories down the stretch. Sunday night we see which team gets a head start down that path.
Nuts & Bolts
Game Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
Location: FedEx Field, Landover, Md.
TV: NBC
Announcers: Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya
Online Streaming: Audio Pass | Game Rewind
Radio: National -- Westwood One (Kevin Kugler, James Lofton, Hub Arkush); SIRIUS -- 94 (WW1), 92 (NYG), 93 (Was.). XM: 227 (WW1), 225 (NYG), 226 (Was.); Giants Radio Network -- WFAN 660-AM, WCBS 101.9-FM in the tri-state area (Bob Papa, Carl Banks, Howard Cross).
Odds: The Giants are one-point favorites.
Giants' Injury Report: OUT -- DE Jason Pierre-Paul (shoulder), RB Brandon Jacobs (knee), CB Trumaine McBride (groin), CB Corey Webster (ankle); PROBABLE -- WR Hakeem Nicks (abdomen), CB Terrell Thomas (knee).
Redskins' Injury Report: QUESTIONABLE -- TE Niles Paul (illness), TE Jordan Reed (concussion), FB Darrel Young (hamstring); PROBABLE -- S Jose Gumbs (ankle).