The New York Giants 1st team offense didn't look good in the preseason and they didn't look good in their season opener today either.

The Giants were shutout in the 2nd half as the Washington Redskins defeated New York, 28-14 in Landover, Maryland.

Giants quarterback Eli Manning went 18 of 32 for 268 yards with one interception.  Eli was sacked four times by a Redskins defense that ranked 31st in the league last year but has been retooled around former Giants defensive tackle Barry Cofield.

The score was tied at 14 at halftime, but Washington first-round pick Ryan Kerrigan changed the game early in the third quarter when he batted Manning's pass into the air, caught it, returned it 9 yards and for a go-ahead, and game-winning, touchdown in his NFL debut.

It was a "Back to the Future" moment for Redskins quarterback Rex Grossman.  Grossman, making his first opening day start since 2007, completed 21 of 34 passes for 305 yards with two touchdowns, no interceptions and one lost fumble.  The former Chicago Bear started out the day 0 for 4.  Head Coach Mike Shanahan decided to start Grossman over John Beck - the two QBs were battling for the starting job all preseason.

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Before the game, the Giants suffered another blow to their defense. Defensive end Justin Tuck was inactive with a lingering neck injury.  Tuck was added to an injury list that already included defensive end Osi Umemyiora (knee), cornerback Prince Amukamara (foot), linebacker Jonathan Goff (knee) plus several others who were lost for the year during training camp.

Pregame ceremonies were quite emotional.  The game featured the cities hit by the terrorists attacks 10 years ago on 9/11.  Former Secretary of State Colin Powell served as the Redskins' honorary captain for the coin toss.  The FedEx Field fans -- most holding miniature American flags -- chanted U-S-A after a national anthem during which players from both teams helped hold an enormous version of the Stars and Stripes that covered the entire field.

Washington ended a six-game losing streak against the Giants.  The Redskins hadn't won a game against Big Blue since 2007 and hadn't beaten them at home since 2005.

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