Giants Receive the Big Payback

Paybacks are sweet and the Washington Redskins got the winless New York Giants, Dan Reeves and Dave Brown big time on Sunday.

The Redskins (2-1) snapped a six-game losing streak against the Giants by beating New York at its own game and then rubbing it in in the closing minutes in a 31-10 victory that might have put Reeves’ coaching job in jeopardy.

“This shows what we can do when we come out with a nasty attitude,” Redskin guard Tre’ Johnson said. “Everything worked out for us today. It was good, but you haven’t seen our best yet.”

Terry Allen ran for 146 yards and a game-clinching touchdown, Gus Frerotte threw a 30-yard scoring pass on a fake field goal and Tom Carter had two fourth-quarter interceptions for the Redskins, who gained 241 yards in 42 carries, a 5.7 yard average.

The Redskins, who were near the bottom of the NFL in offense, finished with 427 total yards and they also intercepted Brown four times.

That might have been the sweetest part of the victory, since Brown had made all the key plays in the last four victories over Washington, plays he normally doesn’t make against anyone else.

After Carter’s second interception, Brown, who had earlier in the week said the Giants hoped to kick-start their season against Washington, went face to helmet with Redskin linebacker Marvcus Patton and took it on the chin.

“I read in the paper that they like playing the Redskins,” said Patton, who added a further insult by intercepting Brown in the final seconds. “They get their season kick-started and blah, blah, blah, you know what I’m saying. He’s too young and not good enough to be saying that.”

Brown said his confrontation with Patton was brewing all day.

“If someone keeps yapping and yapping at you, you have to stand up for yourself,” said Brown, who was 17 for 31 for 201 yards and a touchdown. “When you have a guy tackling you and saying he’ll rip your head off on the next play, I’ll stand up for myself. Next time I’ll wear a helmet.”

The Giants have now started the last two seasons with 0-3 records, the first time that’s happened in franchise history.

There have been reports that Reeves would be fired unless the Giants won soon.

“Any time you’re 0-3 you’re worried about a lot of things,” Reeves said. “There’s nothing that doesn’t worry you. You have to be concerned when you’re 0-3 and gotten beat as badly as we have.”