Clinton Portis is healthy well-rested after playing in just two preseason games.

It’s a good thing, too, because the Redskins’ first opponent--the NFC East champion New York Giants--has a tough, physical defense.

Proof? In two games against the Redskins last year, the Giants yielded just two touchdowns, and one was a gimmick play via a wide receiver reverse by Devin Thomas.

And the Redskins lost both games, 16-7 on Sept. 4 and 23-7 on Nov. 30.

“Just playing a divisional rival that has been dominating your division, it’s the toughest test you can get in Week 1,” Portis said. “Playing the toughest opponent in your division, and they have been dominating us the last couple of years, it’s a big challenge for us.”

The Giants’ defense has talent across the board, but Portis believes the unit’s success starts up front.

In two games against the Giants last year, Portis had 106 yards on 34 carries. In the second matchup, on Nov. 30 at FedExField, he was stifled to just 22 yards on 11 carries.

The Giants upgraded its depth last offseason with the acquisitions of defensive end Chris Canty and defensive tackle Rocky Bernard.

“You’ve got Rocky Bernard and Chris Canty coming off the bench, so of course you know they are going to have a fresh defensive line,” Portis said. “Even before they got there, they had an awesome defensive line.

“For us, we just have to be prepared. We are going to have to chip [on blocks] and help our offensive linemen, because we have to protect Jason [Campbell].”

Portis has grown accustomed to the hard-nosed NFC East battles through the years.

He said the key against the Giants could be confusing middle linebacker Antonio Pierce, the former Redskin.

“He is making sure everybody is in position--the whole field, not just the linebackers” Portis said. “He is going to make sure the defensive line is in their gap and the secondary is lined up right.”

Portis enters the regular season with some career marks in sight.

Portis has 9,202 career rushing yards, so reaching the 10,000-yard mark is a possibility.

Portis has 6,103 career yards as a Redskin and he trails Hall of Famer and franchise leader John Riggins by 1,369 yards.

Also, Portis needs three more rushing touchdowns to move past Stephen Davis for second place all-time in club history. Riggins is the franchise leader in this category as well with 79 rushing touchdowns.

Individual goals aside, Portis opens the 2009 seasons hoping to make another run at the playoffs. He has experienced the playoffs just three times in his career, in 2003, 2005 and 2007.

“Our goal is to win the NFC East, so we can’t slip up on opening day,” Portis said. “If we want to win the NFC East, you don’t want to be behind 0-1 in Week 1. Every win in the NFC East is going to be hard to come by.

“We need them, so we can start out by getting this win against the Giants and put them behind the eight ball. Have them play catch-up instead of us playing catch-up.”