East Rutherford, N.J. - There was a time before Y2K when the New York Giants and Washington Redskins were a constant in the NFC East.

If they weren't winning the division, they were either a wild-card playoff contender or a team right in the mix until the final week of the season.

Not anymore.

The Giants (4-9) and Redskins (3-10) have fallen on hard times and today's game at MetLife Stadium is meaningless in terms of playoff considerations. Both have been eliminated.

New York and Washington have combined for two playoffs appearances since 2009. The Giants went in the 2011 season and won the Super Bowl. The Redskins went the following year when Robert Griffin III was considered one of the NFL's up-and-coming quarterbacks.

Again, not anymore.

Tom Coughlin and the Giants come into the game after snapping a seven-game losing streak with a 36-7 win over Tennessee. Washington has lost five straight and is coming off a 24-0 loss to the St. Louis Rams.

"There is definitely a sense of relief getting that win, but we can't keep celebrating at this point," Giants quarterback Eli Manning. "We've got to get ready for the Washington Redskins, we've got to get back to having great practices, getting prepared, and going out there and trying to get another one."

New York might have played its best game beating the Redskins 45-14 on Sept. 25. Manning threw four touchdown passes, including three to tight end Larry Donnell. It was the second win in a three-game streak that gave Giants fans hope. It didn't last long.

Washington has not done much under first-year coach Jay Gruden, losing five of its first six games. The Redskins have one two-game winning streak.

The offense has struggled most of the season and the defense has given up too many big plays.

"We are just trying to improve our football team as coaches," Gruden said. "That is all we can do: coach, motivate and try to get these guys better on a weekly basis. There is a lot to coach and there are a lot of things we need to do better in all phases."

Coughlin, Gruden and their players insist no one is quitting.

"It's more of a pride issue, because you don't want to be part of a team that has a bad season that gives up at the end, especially when you can do something about it," Redskins linebacker Keenan Robinson said.

Some things to know about the Redskins-Giants matchup:

Quarterback Stories: Manning, who was on the injury report for the first time in years with a back issue, will be starting his 165th consecutive game. The Redskins have used three quarterbacks this season - Griffin, Colt McCoy and Kirk Cousins - and none has distinguished himself. McCoy will start today.

"The good thing is I feel like I looked at all three quarterbacks," Gruden said. "The bad thing is, I want one of these quarterbacks to step in and I would love for one of them to take over and get us something to be excited about moving forward."

Sack Issues: Sacks tend to come in bunches and the Giants are in one of those streaks. They have 15 sacks in the last two weeks in games against Jacksonville and Tennessee.

Rookie linebacker Devon Kennard has had four and defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul 3 ½.

Washington has allowed 46 sacks this season, second most in the league. The Rams had seven last week in the win over the Redskins, getting McCoy six times.

Coaching Corner: Coughlin and Gruden are both on the hot seat with their teams struggling.

The 68-year-old Coughlin has failed to take the Giants to the postseason three straight years, but he has two Super Bowl titles since taking the job in 2004.

In taking over a team that went 3-13, Gruden was given a five-year contract in January to replace Mike Shanahan. Some wonder if he will be one and done if the losing does not end.

Giants Youngsters: Top pick Odell Beckham Jr. is coming off a career-best 11 receptions for 130 yards. Fourth-round pick Andre Williams had a career-high 131 yards rushing and a TD on 24 carries, and Kennard, the fifth-round pick, had two sacks for the second straight game. He also forced a fumbled that was returned for a touchdown.