Bradshaw’s 2 TDs, Mannings 2 scoring passes help Giants lead Redskins 38-12 after 3 quarters

Bradshaw’s TDs help Giants lead Skins 38-12

LANDOVER, Md. — Ahmad Bradshaw’s two short touchdown runs capped long drives, Eli Manning threw for two scores, and the New York Giants completely dominated the Washington Redskins while taking a 38-12 lead after three quarters Monday night.

This was a game between one team making a push for the playoffs (New York) and another that just parted ways with the head of its front office (Washington) — and it was quite clear which was which.

Look at the statistics with 4½ minutes left in the second quarter: The Giants had massive advantages in yards (226 to minus-2), first downs (16-0) and time of possession (nearly 21 minutes to under 4½). The score was 24-0 at that point.

Washington’s initial first down came on quarterback Jason Campbell’s 16-yard scramble about 3½ minutes before halftime. In the final minute of the half, Campbell left with a sprained shoulder after being sacked by Osi Umenyiora.

But Campbell returned to throw an 11-yard TD pass to tight end Fred Davis on the opening possession of the second half. Kicker Graham Gano’s extra-point attempt was partially blocked by Barry Cofield.

That made it 24-6, and the Giants quickly rebuilt the lead to 31-6 with Manning’s second TD pass, a 23-yarder to Derek Hagan. Later in the third quarter, cornerback Terrell Thomas intercepted Campbell’s overthrown screen pass and returned it 14 yards for a touchdown.

Quinton Ganther added a 1-yard TD run in the closing seconds of the third quarter for Washington — but the 2-point conversion attempt failed.

Manning was 18 for 25 for 243 yards through three quarters.

Each of New York’s first four possessions resulted in a score. Each of Washington’s first three possessions went three-and-out — and the Redskins’ home crowd was booing lustily. The jeers grew louder after the final play of the first half, when Washington tried a fake field goal that ended with punter-holder Hunter Smith throwing an interception.

The Giants opened the game with a 16-play, 80-yard drive that chewed up 9:13 and ended with Bradshaw’s 3-yard plunge over the right side. Starting left guard Rich Seubert limped off with a right knee injury after that play, and the Giants said his return was questionable. Kevin Boothe replaced Seubert on New York’s next possession.

As Bradshaw celebrated his TD with a jump and a spike, a couple of snowballs were thrown from the stands and landed near him. The Washington area was pounded by a blizzard that began Friday night, and the Redskins estimated about 25 million pounds of snow were removed from the stadium and its parking lots. The temperature at the start was 38 degrees.

New York’s second drive covered 63 yards in 11 plays and finished with Bradshaw’s 4-yard run less than a minute into the second quarter. The Giants made it 17-0 on Lawrence Tynes’ 38-yard field goal with 8:05 to go. And they went ahead 24-0 on Manning’s 6-yard TD toss to Steve Smith about 3½ minutes later, a score set up by a 45-yard completion to Hakeem Nicks.

Nicks later was sidelined by a hamstring injury. Redskins offensive lineman Stephon Heyer left with a knee injury.

The Giants were trying to remain a factor in the NFC playoff chase. Win or lose, they were going to end the night trailing the Cowboys and Packers in the wild-card standings, but a defeat would have really made things dire.

The Redskins, meanwhile, were long ago ruled out of any postseason possibilities. Still, this game represented the first real chance to audition for Bruce Allen, hired last week as general manager after Vinny Cerrato resigned.

Allen, son of former Redskins coach George Allen, was at the stadium Monday night, strolling the sideline before kickoff.

He couldn’t have been too pleased with what he saw once the game began.