I’m still trying to come to grips with the NFL season actually beginning on a Thursday night. Nevertheless it is something to do and since this is a divisional matchup it sets the tone for Sunday.

Last season the New York Giants resurrected themselves after a 0-2 start to go 10-4 the rest of the way, led by the NFL’s best pass rush, a stout running game and a quarterback that seemed to figure things out at the right time. The Giants would win on the road in Tampa, Dallas, and Green Bay before pulling one of the great upsets in NFL history by defeating the 18-0 New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII.

Since then the Giants have lost defensive end Michael Strahan to retirement, tight end Jeremy Shockey was traded to the New Orleans Saints, but the biggest blow was dealt two weeks ago when defensive end Osi Umenyiora was lost for the season with ligament damage to his knee. The Giants, who were underdogs throughout the playoffs last season, are going into the 2008 season the same way, despite the bling of the Lombardi Trophy.

In the 2007 season the Washington Redskins dealt with the unimaginable, the murder of Pro Bowl safety Sean Taylor stunned the Washington Redskins football family and the NFL.

In the wake of Taylor’s passing the Skins would win five of their remaining six games to earn a wild-card spot. Despite losing Jason Campbell for the playoffs, the team would rally behind backup Todd Collins. Washington would give a good showing against the Seattle Seahawks, though in the end the Skins were spent mentally, physically and emotionally. Prompting Coach Joe Gibbs to retire for the second time.

Enter Jim Zorn, former Seattle Seahawks quarterback in the late 70’s, early 80’s who will be asked to bring second year starter Jason Campbell to the forefront of young NFL signalcallers. Campbell has valuable weapons in running backs Clinton Portis and Ledell Betts along with tight end Chris Cooley to make his transition a little easier.

Tonight’s game features has two teams looking for an identity. The Giants were prepared to deal with life without Strahan, but going into 2008 without Umenyiora as well has thrown things way out of whack. As predicted the Giants would grab a defensive end cut by the Philadelphia Eagles. Jerome McDougle can be a part of the big picture if he remains healthy. I’ll be curious to see how the back seven of the Giants defense adjusts to the drastic changes over the past seven months.

Wide receiver Plaxico Burress has been signed to an extension, which makes Eli Manning the happiest person after Burress. When a big play is needed Eli is looking for Burress. The running game is solid with bulldozer Brandon Jacobs with backups Derrick Ward and Ahmad Bradshaw. Kevin Boss proved last season that he can be an above average tight end, not Shockey-like, but good no less.

Jason Campbell has good skill players in Cooley and Portis to lighten his load. The question comes down to his receivers, the trio of Santana Moss, Antwaan Randle El and James Thrash are OK. I would like to see more production from Randle El and I would like to see rookie wideout Malcolm Kelly get on the field.

Defensively, newcomer Jason Taylor looks to put a charge into the Skins pass rush and re-charge his career in the process. Taylor will be playing opposite Andre Carter in hopes of getting pressure off of the ends. Overall, I like what the Skins have in terms of youth and experience, they experienced linebackers and a nice young secondary .

Prediction: Expect the pace of this one to pick up around the third quarter as both teams will try to feel one another out. In the end I like the Skins–thanks to their defense (Ron…uh I mean Shawn Springs is out. Carlos Rogers and Fred Smoot will start in the defensive backfield).

Washington 24 - Giants 14

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