Redskins Reality Checks Week 8: Giants provide different kind of check

6.    Reality Is, Jay hasn’t proven he can get his guys not to play down to their opponents.

While Vegas has the Giants as one-point favorites, public perception and team records demand we consider the Redskins to be the better team who should be able to win this game.

While the Redskins could very easily be 2-4 at this point, following harrowing victories over Carolina and Dallas, the reality is, they are 4-2, leading the division, holding their destiny firmly in their own hands. Historically, Gruden’s teams (and most Redskins teams this Century) have found ways to play down to their opponents, losing to, or barely beating teams that they ought to have been able to beat handily.

While the Giants are better than their record, they are a team going nowhere this season, and the Redskins have a chance to take another step toward proving this year is different with a win in New York this Sunday. It’s not a mistake that the Redskins aren’t favored in this game. This sets up to be the type of “playing down to the competition” game the Redskins are known for.

I’ll be watching closely to see if they come out with similar energy as they did last week. I’ll be watching closely to see if Gruden is aggressive, coaching to beat the Giants and take their will, or if he’s cautious, just coaching not to lose.

Prediction: The Redskins will come out flat and give up a big play early, setting off a Twitter firestorm amongst Redskins fans. But unlike prior years, their chemistry and culture will be strong enough to bring them back for their first comeback win of the season. Redskins 28, Giants 24.

As usual, I hate predicting wins. I’m conditioned to think that the Redskins don’t do well when they are “supposed to win”…but I’m hoping that is starting to change this year.  We’ll see.  What do you think? Join the conversation @TheRealityIs__ on Twitter or in the comments below.