Joe Whitt had heard enough Thursday with the media.
Whitt was asked if momentum going into the playoffs was important to him. He responded that he knows winning is important, and positive vibes come with it, so he thinks it is important for us to do that.
However, the very next question asked how he balances winning with keeping players healthy and ready for the playoffs. Whitt even declared, “That is not my job; that is Dan’s job. He’s the one who handles that.”
Whitt proclaimed, “I am going to call it (defensive plays) to win it.” To which, the right hand was then raised slightly and coming down gently but pointedly to the table, Whitt declared slowly but confidently, “We need to win this football game.”
Whitt continued, “Period. That’s what it is; it’s a divisional game, it’s the Dallas Cowboys. We keep the sixth seed. We need to win this football game. So, everything else doesn’t really matter. From my standpoint, we are going to do everything we can to win this football game.”
Whitt was tired of the insinuation or assumption that the Commanders (Whitt in particular) would lay down in this final game to rest up for the playoff game the following weekend.
Yes, the Eagles will rest some players. However, as the number two seed, they can afford to do so because they know they will play their first-round playoff game at home at Lincoln Financial Field.
It’s also true that the Rams will rest several players. But again, the Rams know they will be playing a home playoff game next week.
On the other hand, Whitt is looking at it from the perspective of the sixth seed. He wants to win, keep the seed, and thus play for the Rams or Buccaneers. He thinks, “Why would I want to have to go to Philly in that weather a couple of weeks after they just lost to us in Landover?”
One strategy for one team is not necessarily the best strategy for another. Joe Whitt is right: The Commanders need to win this game on Sunday in Dallas.
