Washington and New York will battle for last place in the NFC East.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) – After being let go by the New York Giants and signing with the Washington Redskins, linebacker Jessie Armstead believed both teams had a chance to make playoff and Super Bowl runs.

The Giants played for the title in 2000, and their chances looked even better this year with a high-powered offense.

The Redskins had a new coach, an owner willing to spend money and a lot of veterans when Armstead signed on for the 2002 season.

As the 2003 season enters its final month, New York and Washington will meet again at Giants Stadium in a somewhat unexpected NFC East battle – for last place in the division, with the loser getting in position for a high draft pick.

“I expected they would be competing for a playoff spot, and I expected us to be competing for a playoff spot,” Armstead said.

“But we are both looking at each other at 4-8. It’s a whole different turnout than I thought it would be for this year.”

Armstead is aware of potential fallout.

The disappointment is probably going to cost Jim Fassel his coaching job with the Giants, while Steve Spurrier is no closer to turning around the Redskins after almost two years in the pro ranks, and that could spell roster changes.

Armstead, who could become a salary cap victim, feels for Fassel and his former teammates.

He was around when Dan Reeves was fired by the Giants after the 1996 season, so he knows those last few weeks of a bad season are tough on players and coaches.

“You are out there working real hard, but you know that you are going to have a new coach in there next year,” Armstead said. “But that is your name on that jersey, and when the new coach comes in you don’t want him to look at you and say, “This guy quit on the team in the last four games of the season.’

“You don’t want that on his notepad. So you have to keep working hard, and hopefully the team can make a change and do something and make people say, “Hey, let the coaches stay and let some of the players stay.”‘

That’s unlikely to happen with the Giants, even though Fassel will have led them to three playoff berths, including a Super Bowl loss to Baltimore in 2001.

Unlike the Redskins, who have been losing close games, the Giants have played very poorly in their current four-game losing streak, the longest of Fassel’s career.

“It kind of stinks on Sundays when we play bad,” said halfback Tiki Barber, who needs 7 yards for his second straight 1,000-yard rushing season.

The Giants, who haven’t gained more than 222 yards in either of their last two games, have revamped their offensive line this week because of injuries and last week’s dreadful performance against the Bills, who had six sacks.

New York’s secondary also took a hit, with cornerback Will Allen going down with a foot sprain. Safety Omar Stoutmire is the lone opening-day starter left.

Tim Hasselbeck is probably going to make his second straight start at quarterback for Washington, with Patrick Ramsey bothered by an injured right foot.

With the problems in the Giants’ secondary, the potential is there for a big game. Ramsey threw for 348 yards and two touchdowns against New York in the third game of the season, when the secondary was healthy.

The Giants took a 21-3 halftime lead in that penalty-filled game (32 overall for 266 yards) and eventually won 24-21 in overtime.

Redskins backup defensive end Bruce Smith also could make history.

His next sack will break Reggie White’s career mark of 198. The two share the record now.

“We’re hanging in there,” Spurrier said. “It could be better, but I guess we are a little bit in the same situation as the Giants: 4-8, lost some close ones we had a chance to win.”

Quipped Armstead: “We will make this into a New York and Washington Super Bowl right here. Both teams are out of the playoffs, but we will make this a big ‘ol Super Bowl for us.”

AP-ES-12-04-03 1959EST