New York Giants vs Washington Redskins: prediction, preview, pick to win

KICKOFF: Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, FedExField. TV: FOX, Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews.

SERIES HISTORY: 168th regular-season meeting. Giants lead the series, 97-66-4. The Redskins won 29-27 in Week 3. New York, however, has won six out of the past nine meetings, dating back to 2012. The Giants are trying to avoid being swept by Washington for the first time since the 2011 season.

KEYS TO THE GAME:

The Giants have clinched a playoff berth, securing the NFC's No. 5 seed. Nonetheless, the team plans to start its top playmakers, including quarterback Eli Manning and receiver Odell Beckham Jr.

New York wants to have some momentum heading into the postseason, while eliminating its NFC East rival in the process.

Washington can qualify for the postseason with a win over the Giants, as long as the Green Bay-Detroit game doesn't end in a tie.

The Redskins won the first matchup 29-27 on five field goals by Dustin Hopkins. They will likely need to score touchdowns this time around.

Washington quarterback Kirk Cousins is capable of keeping pace with Manning and will look downfield for DeSean Jackson to make game-changing plays. Jackson has been dominant, with 100 receiving yards in each of the past three games.

Manning threw for 350 yards in that first game but was intercepted twice. He will need to avoid those mistakes in the finale.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH:

--Giants WR Odell Beckham Jr. vs. Redskins CB Josh Norman. This matchup pits two of the best players at their respective positions in the NFL. Beckham is second in the NFL with 1,323 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. Norman has three interceptions. In the first matchup, Beckham caught seven passes for 121 yards. Norman, however, kept him out of the end zone.

--Redskins TE Jordan Reed vs. Giants S Landon Collins. Reed (left shoulder) was able to practice on Wednesday and should be back in the lineup. He was inactive against Chicago last week, but has struggled since suffering the injury on Thanksgiving Day. Collins has been a physical force all year in just his second season. He has five interceptions, 13 passes defended, along with three sacks and a team-high 96 tackles.

FRIDAY INJURY REPORT

NEW YORK GIANTS

--Out: S Nat Berhe (concussion), DE Jason Pierre-Paul (core muscle)

--Questionable: TE Jerell Adams (shoulder), LB B.J. Goodson (concussion), CB Janoris Jenkins (back), CB Coty Sensabaugh (ankle)

WASHINGTON REDSKINS

--Out: S Su'a Cravens (upper arm), CB Quinton Dunbar (concussion), T Vinston Painter (calf)

--Questionable: DE Chris Baker (ankle), LB Will Compton (knee), RB Rob Kelley (knee), LB Ryan Kerrigan (elbow), G Spencer Long (ankle), LB Trent Murphy (foot), TE Jordan Reed (shoulder), LB Martrell Spaight (shoulder)

PLAYER SPOTLIGHT:

Giants CB Eli Apple. The first-round rookie gradually climbed the depth chart and took over the starting job for Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie several weeks ago. While his play has been solid, Apple is coming off a shaky showing against the Eagles' middling receivers last week. This week he'll face several steps up in competition against Washington receivers Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson. With Janoris Jenkins' status uncertain due to his back injury, Apple needs to have a strong showing.

FAST FACTS:

-- Giants QB Eli Manning has 1,500 passing yards with 12 touchdowns in the past five meetings. Manning has 3,847 passing yards and needs 153 to reach his sixth season with 4,000.

-- Giants rookie RB Paul Perkins had career-high 68 rushing yards last week.

-- In four career meetings, Giants WR Odell Beckham Jr. has 35 receptions for 485 yards and five touchdowns.

-- Giants rookie WR Sterling Shepard has eight touchdown receptions, tied for third-most by a rookie in Giants history.

-- Giants DE Olivier Vernon has four sacks in the past three road contests.

-- Giants DT Damon Harrison has 82 tackles, most by an NFL defensive tackle.

-- Giants S Landon Collins is the only player with five interceptions and three sacks (3). Collins has 117 tackles, most by a safety in franchise history.

-- Redskins QB Kirk Cousins ranks second in the NFL with a franchise-record 4,630 passing yards. It is his second consecutive season with 4,000.

-- Redskins RB Robert Kelley ranks third among NFL rookies with 671 rushing yards and is tied for second with six touchdowns on the ground.

-- Redskins RB Mack Brown had career-high 82 yards on the ground with a touchdown last week.

-- Redskins WR DeSean Jackson has 327 receiving yards and touchdown in the past three games.

-- Redskins LB Ryan Kerrigan has 11 sacks. It is the second time in his career he has finished with at least 10 sacks.

PREDICTION:

The Redskins are facing a must-win game and will have a sense of urgency at home. While the Giants plan to play their starters, they won't want to risk injuries late in the game.

OUR PICK: Redskins, 27-20.

--Todd Karpovich