Instant Analysis: Giants fortunate to defeat Redskins

The New York Giants were incredibly fortunate to defeat the Washington Redskins on Sunday. Giants' fans are used to last-minute heroics from quarterback Eli Manning and wide receiver Victor Cruz, and the 77-yard pass with 1:13 to play that gave the Giants a 27-23 victory provided one more.

In many ways, though, this was a game the 5-2 Giants seemed to try hard to lose.

The Giants' play-calling with a lead in the final few minutes was highly questionable. When Robert Griffin III fumbled and Linval Joseph recovered at the Giants' 30-yard line with the Giants lead 20-13 and 7:18 left to play it seemed like a perfect opportunity to run some clock.

The Giants chose to pass, however, and a terrible throw from Manning was intercepted, leading to a Washington field goal.

On the following drive the Giants faced a third-and-one at their own 38 and again disdained the run despite the short yardage and the Redskins being down to their final timeout. A pass for Hakeem Nicks fell incomplete and a punt gave the ball back to Washington with 2:59 to play.

Despite his 337 yards passing this was not a good day for Manning. Both of his interceptions were badly thrown balls, the first an overthrow of Martellus Bennett that killed a drive deep in Washington territory.

The Giants also had no real answers for the diverse Washington offense, with the fact that they created some turnovers being the only way they halted the Redskins.

Still, the Giants are now 5-2 and finally have an NFC East victory. They will take it, I'm sure, even if it wasn't the prettiest victory they will ever get.