The Washington Redskins have been officially eliminated from playoff contention for the 2019 season, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t still play a big role in deciding who comes out of the NFC East this season.
With all three of their final games this year coming against divisional opponents, the Redskins have a chance to derail the postseason hopes for both the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys before the regular season is over, and that alone may be enough to provide an extra spark of inspiration in an otherwise meaningless stretch of games.
Here’s how to current NFC East playoff picture currently breaks down:
Dallas Cowboys | (6-7)
- vs. Los Angeles Rams
- at Philadelphia Eagles
- vs. Washington Redskins
The Cowboys are on a three-game losing streak, and a few of their most important games are coming up on the schedule. While a win against the Rams this week would go a long way, the two must-win games are in Week 16 and 17. Next week’s game against the Eagles is do-or-die, as the Cowboys need another victory over their divisional foe to seal the deal. If Dallas wins out, or at least wins two of their final three, as long as one of those wins is over Philly, they’re in the playoffs.
Philadelphia Eagles | (6-7)
- at Washington Redskins
- vs. Dallas Cowboys
- at New York Giants
The Eagles have the same record as Dallas, but a 37-10 defeat earlier in the year has them behind them playing from behind due to tie-breaker scenarios. It all comes down to the Week 16 game at home against the Cowboys, which will virtually be a play-in game for the NFC playoffs. With the other two games against the Redskins and Giants, both of whom the Eagles should be able to take care of on paper, all of the weight rests in Week 16. If the Eagles can beat Dallas and take care of business in other games, they’re into the postseason.
Washington Redskins (3-10) and New York Giants (2-11)
Both the Redskins and Giants have little to play for other than ruining the party for their fellow NFC East teams, which is a pretty nice incentive, depending on how petty you feel. If either team is able to upset the Cowboys or Eagles in the final three weeks, it will go a long way in spoiling the post-season planning, and the other team at the top will surely thank you.
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