When you take a division that is as dysfunctional as the NFC East, you’re bound to have some wacky outcomes. That’s exactly what we got on Sunday afternoon in Week 16, with the Dallas Cowboys being the only team to squeak out a victory and keep the No. 4 seed playoff spot open for one last week.
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The day started with the New York Giants losing to the Baltimore Ravens, which opened the door for Washington to clinch the division title with a win over the Carolina Panthers in the afternoon. Of course, Washington lost that game, which left the door open for every other team in the division, except for the Philadelphia Eagles, who lost to the Cowboys and were eliminated from playoff contention. Heading into Week 17, here is how things stand:
Washington – win to clinch in Philly next week
Dallas-NYG – winner of their game is NFC East champ if Washington loses
Philly – eliminated
— michael phillips (@michaelpRTD) December 28, 2020
The good news for Washington is that they still control their destiny, and they are playing a team in Week 17 who is already eliminated from contention. If Ron Rivera and his squad can beat the Eagles on the road in Week 17, they will be crowned division champs and be heading to the playoffs for the first time since 2015. If not, then the winner of the Giants and Cowboys game will get the nod to extend their seasons.
Everything would have been much easier if Washington had just beat the 4-10 Panthers on Sunday, but in the NFC East, especially in 2020, nothing is ever easy.
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