Washington @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 31, 2017 ) Washington 10, N.Y. Giants 18

The Washington Redskins find themselves in relatively new territory (first place in the NFC East) while the reeling New York Giants are exactly where they were at this point last season (1-6, last place in the division). The Redskins vie for their third straight win on Sunday when they visit MetLife Stadium, where they have dropped 10 of their last 11 contests.

"I think the focus is to try to win a ballgame every single week, whatever it takes to try to win. With that as you stack the weeks together, you hope you are moving in the right direction that you're trending," said Alex Smith, who has thrown three touchdown passes without an interception in the last two weeks. Adrian Peterson has run for at least 96 yards in four of his six games this season and faces a New York rush defense that surrenders 113.9 yards per contest. The Giants dropped their fourth in a row following Monday's 23-20 setback in Atlanta and subsequently parted ways with a pair of former first-round picks Eli Apple (New Orleans) and Damon Harrison (Detroit) over the following 48 hours. "I think we're constantly evaluating and constantly looking for ways to get better," Giants coach Pat Shurmur said. "There is a new GM and new coach because they were 3-13. We’re trying to do what we can do to build a winner and a winner that can sustain. That is what we're trying to do."

TV: 1 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Pick. O/U: 42.5

ABOUT THE REDSKINS (4-2): Chris Thompson aims to return to action Sunday after a two-week absence due to rib and knee injuries. "It's more so of me feeling comfortable and confident and I can say last week I wasn't as confident as I am this week," the 28-year-old Thompson said. Thompson's team-leading 26 receptions are just four more than tight end Jordan Reed, who has been limited to just eight catches for 100 yards over the last three games. Josh Doctson, who had three receptions for 42 yards in Sunday's 20-17 win over Dallas, scored a touchdown in Washington's 20-10 win over New York on Oct. 23, 2017.

ABOUT THE GIANTS (1-6): Rookie Saquan Barkley has served as the focal point of New York's offense, with the second overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft finding the end zone six times (four rushing, two receiving) in the last five games. The versatile Barkley leads all running backs in catches (49) as well as the entire NFL with four plays of 50 yards or more from scrimmage and ranks second in scrimmage yards (905). Odell Beckham Jr. reeled in eight receptions and a touchdown for the second time in three weeks while rolling up a season-best 143 receiving yards against the Falcons. The 25-year-old Beckham has averaged eight catches, 105.8 yards per game and a touchdown in five career meetings with the Redskins.

EXTRA POINTS

1. New York QB Eli Manning, who threw for a season-best 399 yards against Atlanta, owns an 8-2 mark with 10 passing touchdowns in his past 10 home starts versus Washington.

2. Redskins LB Ryan Kerrigan, who had two sacks and a forced fumble versus the Cowboys, had a pair of sacks and a forced fumble in his last encounter with the Giants.

3. New York LB Olivier Vernon has recorded four sacks in his past five games overall and 2.5 in his last two meetings with Washington.

PREDICTION: Redskins 24, Giants 13