The Redskins title defense began with a road game against the division rival Giants. Early in the game, it looked like the returning pieces from the championship run were still in synch. Washington built a 13-3 halftime lead, led by a Ricky Sanders TD catch.

But the Giants were only a year removed from being a champion themselves, and they proved why in the second half. Two third quarter drives tied the score at 13. In the fourth quarter, the Giants defense took over. New York scored TDs on a blocked punt and a fumble return, opening a 27-13 lead. Williams threw another TD to Kelvin Bryant late in the fourth, but it only served to make the score a little more respectable.