Giants Get Another Shot at Schroeder

The New York Giants will be ready for Jay Schroeder this time when they face the Washington Redskins tonight (Channel 7, 6 p.m. PST).

Schroeder led the Redskins to a come-from-behind 23-21 victory over the Giants last Nov. 18 in a Monday night game at RFK Stadium.

Schroeder replaced Joe Theismann after he suffered a career-ending broken leg when sacked by Lawrence Taylor.

Schroeder, using mostly rollout passes, threw for 221 yards and rallied Washington from a 14-7 deficit. He then led the Redskins to five victories in their final six games.

“He brought them back in a hurry, he took us by surprise,” Giant inside linebacker Gary Reasons said of Schroeder. “Give him credit, he read coverages and hit the open man.”

Schroeder enters the game ranked fourth among NFC passers. He has completed 100 of 198 passes for 1,572 yards, 7 touchdowns and only 4 interceptions.

Under Schroeder, the Redskins are 6-1 and first in the NFC East, followed by the Dallas Cowboys (6-2), who defeated St. Louis Sunday, and the Giants (5-2).

The Giants have won behind the NFL’s top-ranked defense, which has compensated for an injury-hampered offense. Unlike Schroeder, Giant quarterback Phil Simms has been plagued by interceptions. Simms leads the NFC with 11 interceptions but also leads in pass attempts (231) and yards (1,633).