The Giants had their chances, but they just couldn’t stop the Redskins when it mattered. Santana Moss went wild, scoring three TD’s, two of them on receptions over fifty yards, as Washington beat New York 35-20. The win keeps the Redskins in the playoff hunt and leaves the Giants facing a big game in Oakland next week if they want to win their division.

Despite the loss, the Giants clinched a playoff spot this week when Minnesota fell to Baltimore. The Giants will be one of the two NFC wild card teams if they lose next week and Washington wins.

If they are going to win next Saturday, they will do so with a severely depleted linebacking corps. Chase Blackburn suffered a neck injury against the Redskins and with both Carlos Emmons and Antonio Pierce out; the Giants are considering bringing back Jessie Armstead. Armstead hasn’t played a game since 2003, but the Giants don’t have any other options.

Photo by AP/Nick Wass via ESPN