Landover, Md. — Given the sorry state of the NFC East, perhaps no one should be surprised that when Tom Coughlin's .500 New York Giants face Jay Gruden's sub-.500 Washington Redskins on Sunday, first place will be on the line.

"It's a one-game season," Gruden said. "And if we have any desire at all to play 17, 18 or 19 games, we have to take care of business on Sunday. That's the biggest, most important thing. So we've got to get their best effort, physically and mentally."

If the Redskins (4-6) can beat the visiting Giants (5-5), the teams will be tied atop the decidedly mediocre division with five games left.

After Thursday's lopsided losses by the Philadelphia Eagles (4-7) and Dallas Cowboys (3-8), it's become a two-team race.

"That's the guaranteed ticket to the playoffs ... to win your division," Washington cornerback Will Blackmon said. "It's all-in, because you truly need it. Not that we don't need any other game. But you really need the divisional games to get in. So it definitely just has to be everyone's best effort. Even if guys don't even prepare well, just when we line up on Sunday, just go there and knock somebody out, dude."

On the other hand, New York could pretty much end the suspense by picking up what would be a sixth consecutive victory over Washington and moving comfortably in front.

"It's a lot of fun," Coughlin said, "compared to where we've been the last couple of years."

Since winning two Super Bowls in a span of five seasons, the Giants haven't made the playoffs, a three-year drought. That's nothing compared to the consistent futility of the Redskins, who have finished last in the NFC East six of the past seven years.

"Obviously we know this is a big game," Gruden said, "with a lot at stake."

Given all of Washington's problems — running the ball, stopping the run, turnovers, playing on the road, an inability to win consecutive games — it's hard to believe the team is even relevant at this point.

"Our season hasn't gone how we expected it to," running back Chris Thompson said. "As bad as we've played, it's all still right there for us."

Here's what else to know about Sunday's game:

HOME, SWEET HOME: The Redskins are 4-1 in Landover, including four wins in a row. They're 0-5 on the road this season, 1-12 under Gruden the past two years. "There's a lot of factors that go into not playing well on the road or playing well at home," Gruden said, "but we do have to keep the momentum of our home-field advantage alive."

RETURNING PRINCE: It's been a while since the Giants had both of their preferred starting cornerbacks on the field. Prince Amukamara is expected to return from a pectoral injury he picked up against San Francisco on Oct. 11. He and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie give New York two shutdown coverage guys to go against Washington's DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon.

JONES' FUMBLES: Washington rookie running back Matt Jones is developing a problematic penchant for turnovers. His fumble in a 28-point loss at unbeaten Carolina last week was his fourth of the season. "If you're putting the ball on the ground, then something has to change," Gruden said. "You better change or you won't be getting the ball. ... It's a little scary for a coordinator or coach to call those runs."

DEPLETED DBS: The Redskins have had a revolving door in the secondary all season because of injuries, and the latest bad news came Friday, when starting cornerback Chris Culliver was ruled out for the season with torn ligaments in his right knee. Doesn't make trying to contain Odell Beckham Jr. any easier.

UH-OH ON O-LINE: Giants left guard Justin Pugh will miss a second consecutive game, and the team is also expected to be without center Weston Richburg, leaving very little in the way of experienced depth on an offensive line that has failed to pave the way for a 100-yard running game this season.