National Football League

Redskins, Grossman will surprise Giants

Published Sep. 8, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

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Peter Schrager

Adam,

You’re adorable. I can see you getting all red in the face and can hear you screaming about Rex Grossman's resume all the way from here. The truth is, though (and New Yorkers hate hearing this), your boy Eli Manning has won just as many playoff games as Rex Grossman since that 2008 Super Bowl win in Glendale. And looking at the rosters, Peyton's little brother has just as many (if not fewer) offensive weapons around him this season.

This rivalry obviously goes way back: from Sam Huff doing the unthinkable and switching jerseys in the '60s to Gus Frerotte slamming his head against the wall behind the end zone in a bizarre Sunday night tie a few years ago. No game between these two teams, though, will carry more emotion and real meaning than this one. Football will no doubt take a back seat to real life on Sunday afternoon.

When the game does start, look for that Redskins offense to surprise you. Grossman followed Kyle Shanahan over from Houston and is considered a master of his system. They resisted drafting Blaine Gabbert or Ryan Mallett in April because they were confident with their quarterback situation. Grossman then went out and beat John Beck for the gig in the preseason, despite just about everyone in the media simply handing Beck the job. There's something there with Grossman. Maybe, just maybe, the Shanahans know something about the guy that you do not. Imagine that!

The Giants are hurting, dude. They've lost more players to injuries this summer than the rest of the division combined. Osi, Thomas, the rookie Amukamara, Sintim, Goff — injured, injured, injured, injured, injured. Who's playing middle linebacker on Sunday? YOU? I watched their preseason games, and you know what? Aside from some promising play out of Jason Pierre-Paul and a couple of beastly runs from Brandon Jacobs, they didn't look all that good. Sure, they're favored by Vegas in this one. And yes, they've won nine of their last 10 against the 'Skins. But let's not just hand Eli and his team of backups in blue this victory just yet.

Rex Grossman's going to surprise you. Don't forget, this is a home game for Washington. That place is going to be rocking.

Gimme the Redskins in a 24-20 late afternoon battle.

And when you're fielding calls from hundreds of angry Giants fans calling for Tom Coughlin’s head on your Sirius show Monday morning? When you're talking about the "shocker" on your SNY program the next day?

Well, you can think of Mr. Grossman and me, nodding our heads.

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