Redskins Fans Root for Cowboys, Wait for Next Week

Monday night’s game and a game next week between the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions will have a direct impact on Washington’s attempt to reach the postseason.

That doesn’t sound right given the intense rivalry between the teams.

After a loss to the Eagles, it might make sense to show up in Washington and allow the starters a chance to re-establish some rhythm.

The Redskins already own a win against the Giants, who are locked into the No. 5 seed in the NFC playoffs and have little to play for Sunday.

“We’re going to play to win the ballgame”. But McAdoo’s objective is the same as it always is: to be standing in the winning locker room following the game.

Washington is no guarantee to beat the Giants, of course.

While the Denver Broncos can burn the Kansas City Chiefs for their out-of-character jump-passing maneuver by resting starters against the Oakland Raiders, the New York Giants are in a similar position in the NFC – only without a sinister motive.

After Monday Night Football, here’s an updated look at the playoffs.

This is their last chance. “I can imagine that it’s 0-0 for the seventeenth game and there’s going to be a certain type of energy there”, running back Rashad Jennings said.

“I think it’s been as it should be”, Cousins said of the mood in the locker room.

“We feel comfortable playing them”, Pugh said.

Older fans remember the 1979 backbreaker, when Washington lost in the final moments to Dallas, 35-34, for the NFC East title. If the Redskins start focusing on that aspect of the season finale, they’re in trouble.

With a win – and barring a Packers-Lions tie – the Redskins would secure the sixth seed and a trip to the No. 3 seed: either Atlanta, Seattle, Detroit or Green Bay, depending on Sunday’s outcomes. When asked if Giants starters would play the entire game, he simply offered, “The game, yes”.

Looking to respond to Chicago’s first touchdown of the afternoon, the Redskins certainly did not make it easy on themselves.

“Interesting, that’s for sure”, Gruden said when reflecting on the first 16 weeks. “So they’re all important”. Their main focus remains on the Week 17 matchup with the Redskins. Based on the teams’ records, season-long point differentials and other traits, Washington would ordinarily be about a three-point favorite at home against the Giants.

This is good news for quarterback Eli Manning’s consecutive streak, which sits at 209 games.

The Redskins did not play the Seahawks or Falcons this year. The Giants haven’t scored 30 points in a game this season and ranked 25th in total offense.

That isn’t going to happen.

Jenkins was limited in Wednesday’s practice. He has missed the past two games.

“He has got great speed, obviously he’s got great quickness and still has unbelievable hands”, Gruden said.

That leaves Will Blackmon, Deshazor Everett and Duke Ihenacho as the lone healthy safeties on the active roster. You can’t hide the fact that we’re in there”, he said, “You have to be oblivious to it. I don’t know what we expected, for them to just lay down and roll over for us. Whoever they put out there, they’re going to have good players and they’re going to compete and try to win the game. Goodson are in the concussion protocol.