Victor Cruz calls Redskins 'team to beat' in NFC

If any NFL team is familiar with the landscape of the NFC playoff scenario this year, it's the New York Giants.

The defending Super Bowl champions, played four of the conference's six playoff teams this season.  Throw in a couple of AFC playoff teams and that's a pretty brutal schedule and first-hand knowledge of the playoff picture.

Victor Cruz has weighed in with his own pick of which NFC team will make some noise during the playoffs and, albeit a little begrudged, likes the Washington Redskins chances this postseason.

The pick comes with a grain of salt for the All-Pro receiver.

"It's tough for me to say this because we play in the same division as them, but I think Washington is having a good year," Cruz told WFAN Radio Wednesday.  "They're having a year similar to us last year where they're kicking up at the right time. They're playing some good football.  Typically the team that is playing the best towards the end of the year is the team that is going to potentially win it all."

The No. 4-seeded Redskins (10-6) won their final seven games to overtake the Giants and win the NFC East title — including a Week 13 victory over Big Blue in Washington.  Cruz was unconvinced about the Redskins' potential leading up to that game and thought they were "still a few pieces away" from being a playoff contender.

The 'Skins seven-game roll has changed Cruz's opinion of his rivals even as they face another streaking team, the Seattle Seahawks (11-5), in a Wild Card game this weekend.

"I think they have a tough task in front of them with Seattle," said Cruz.  "But I think they're the team to beat for sure.

"They've got the upper hand right now," Cruz added.  "They're all on the same page, they're all buying in, RG3 is playing great football right now.  I think they got the advantage right now."

With that out of the way, Cruz can get back to his contract talks with the Giants.

Justin Tuck Sits Out Friday's Practice

Justin Tuck may not be completely healthy after all.  The New York Giants defensive end sat out practice on Friday while his teammates worked out.

Tom Coughlin said Tuck was just sore and it isn't a concern.  The Giants head coach said Tuck was listed as "probable" for Sunday's NFC wild card game against the Atlanta Falcons.

It was the first time Tuck sat out a practice since Antrelle Rolle's call for "all hands on deck" three weeks ago following the Giants loss to the Washington Redskins.

Tuck quietly watched, perched on the stationary bike, while the rest of the team hit the practice field and only had a "no comment" when asked what was ailing him.

An unusually reserved answer from the defensive end.

The defensive captain has battled a laundry list of physical problems all season— including neck, groin, ankle and toe injuries.

In last Sunday's win against the Dallas Cowboys, Tuck appeared to have injured a shoulder but returned to the game and recorded a sack and recovered a fumble.

Tuck has literally put his neck-to-toe pains behind him all season and missing today's practice might just be a precaution.

The Giants are counting on the defensive line to disrupt Falcons Matt Ryan's potent offense and a healthy Tuck is a happy one.

Linebacker Mark  Herzlich sat with Tuck on the side and will not play (ankle) on Sunday.

DE Osi Umenyiora (ankle/knee), TE Jake Ballard (knee) and RB Da'Rel Scott (knee) all practiced and are expected to play Sunday.