New York @ Washington preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 28, 2018 ) Washington 20, N.Y. Giants 13

Mark Sanchez has become the butt of jokes for his role in an infamous play over six years ago, but the 32-year-old is serious about changing the narrative on both his career as well as the Washington Redskins' season. Sanchez will make his first start since the 2015 campaign and become the third Redskins' quarterback to play in the last month when the team hosts the New York Giants on Sunday.

"You work for something, you pray for something and then it finally happens," Sanchez said. "You don't care what the circumstances are, you're just happy to get a shot." The unfortunate circumstances have altered the course of the season for Washington, which has seen quarterbacks Alex Smith and Colt McCoy each sustain a broken leg in the midst of a three-game losing skid. The Giants regrouped after dropping a 20-13 setback to the Redskins on Oct. 28 and returned from their bye to win three of their last four contests to give the team confidence even if their postseason outlook isn't as bright. "At this point, we can only focus on Washington. There is no 'what if.' We're going out there to win," star wideout Odell Beckham Jr. said. "If our season is over, I'm making sure somebody else is coming home with us."

TV: 1 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Giants -3.5. O/U: 41

ABOUT THE GIANTS (4-8): Rookie Saquon Barkley posted his 11th game with at least 100 scrimmage yards on Sunday after totaling 146 (125 rushing, 21 receiving) in New York's 30-27 overtime win over Chicago on Sunday. The 21-year-old reached triple digits against the Redskins (38 rushing, 73 receiving) in October and would match Edgerrin James (1999) and move within one of Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Eric Dickerson (1983) should he repeat the feat on Sunday. "Not really," Barkley said when asked about individual records. "You're just so stuck in the moment, stuck in the season, trying to get better every single day." Eli Manning, who threw for season lows in yards (170) and completion percentage (54.3) versus the Bears, was sacked seven times in the first meeting with Washington and intercepted twice by D.J. Swearinger.

ABOUT THE REDSKINS (6-6): With Sanchez relatively new to coach Jay Gruden's system, Washington may need to rely on the ageless Adrian Peterson to carry the load on Sunday in much the same manner as he did in the first encounter versus New York. The 33-year-old Peterson rushed for a season-high 149 yards and a touchdown and added a 7-yard receiving score against the Giants. Peterson bolted out of the blocks on Monday with a franchise-record 90-yard touchdown before finishing with just eight more yards in a 28-13 setback to Philadelphia. Tight end Jordan Reed, who matched a season low in receiving yards (21) versus the Eagles, leads the team in receptions (54) and receiving yards (558) and is tied for top honors in receiving touchdowns with two.

EXTRA POINTS

1. New York K Aldrick Rosas, who is 26 of 27 on field-goal attempts this season, captured NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors after making all three tries -- including a 44-yarder in overtime -- versus Chicago.

2. Washington LB Ryan Kerrigan (team-leading eight sacks) has 5.5 sacks and a forced fumble in his last three encounters with the Giants.

3. Two-time Pro Bowl S Landon Collins (shoulder) was placed on injured reserve this week for New York.

PREDICTION: Giants 24, Redskins 17