Here is a look back at some of the interesting numbers from Thursday’s Washington Redskins versus New York Giants match-up that kicked off the 2008 NFL Season:
116 – Yards rushing by the Giants’ Brandon Jacobs. The Redskins couldn’t tackle him all night, and Laron Landry categorically learned how NOT to try and tackle a 270 pound back.
84 – Yards rushing for Clinton Portis. Why is this a significant number? It’s likely the only Redskins statistic that belongs to someone that played a decent game.
50 – Yard punt return by Rock Cartwright at the end of the first half. It was the first sign of life from Washington all night, and it put them within striking distance at 16-7.
35 – Minutes of possession for the Giants – to less than 25 for the Redskins.
17 – Tackles by London Fletcher – 12 solo, 5 assisted. As always, the guy was a machine.
10 – Receptions by Plaxico Burress, for 113 yards. He owned the Redskins secondary all night long.
7 – Punts by rookie Redskins punter Durant Brooks. Unfortunately, Redskin fans had to wait six punts before his first good one. Tough outing for the kid, and he’s nowhere near as steady as Derrick Frost was holding the ball on kicks either.
2 – False start penalties for Antwaan Randle El. Totally unacceptable for any wide receiver, let alone a veteran one.
1 – Catch for Chris Cooley. Enough said – that isn’t close to enough action for arguably the Skins most dynamic offensive player.
1 – Of the best chip blocks I have ever seen – Clinton Portis on Mathias Kiwanuka – Wow. Might as well end on one of the very few positives that the game had to offer Redskin fans.