Football

NFC Least: Will NFC East Winner Be Under .500?

NFC Least: Will NFC East Winner Be Under .500?

WASHINGTON D.C. — A complete drudgery of a football game for 58 minutes, Monday night’s NFC East battle between the Redskins and the Cowboys brought high drama in the last two minutes for those with enough patience to stick it out.

Late in the 4th quarter of a touchdown-less game deadlocked at nine apiece, star receiver and return man DeSean Jackson took a punt at his own 20-yard line on the right sideline, reversed field, angling back towards his own goal line. As he was swarmed by the Cowboy’s coverage, he fumbled the ball which was recovered by the Dallas punter Chris Jones. Dallas scored a touchdown on the ensuing drive, though running back Darren McFadden ran out of bounds, leaving the Redskins with a little over a minute left. Following a great return, Washington drove down before quarterback Kirk Cousins connected with DeSean Jackson for a redemptive touchdown to tie the game at 16. Yet another excellent return by Dallas, coupled with a personal foul penalty, allowed Dallas to drive into field goal range with kicker Dan Bailey nailing a 54-yard field goal to give the Cowboys the 19-16 victory.

The NFC East is a bad division, one that is almost impossible to figure out. With the Redskins, Giants, and Eagles all tied at 5-7 and the Cowboys just a game behind at 4-8, there is little indication as to how these teams will play from week to week.

(with the win, Dallas moves to 4-8, the Redskins fall to 5-7)

Washington Redskins

Washington Redskins wide receiver DeSean Jackson (11) fumbles the ball on a kickoff return setting up a Dallas Cowboys touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game in Landover, Md., Monday, Dec. 7, 2015. The Cowboys defeated the Redskins 19-16. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

 (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Well, that was embarrassing. At home, on a national stage, facing a Dallas team that had been blown out and had lost quarterback Tony Romo (again), with a chance to effectively end the Cowboys’ season and take sole possession of first Washington laid a colossal egg. The offense, which has been downright explosive at times this season, looked lost for most of the game and breakdowns on defense and special teams did them in late, in particular Jackson’s late fumble. If they have any chance of winning the NFC East, they have to take care of the ball better.

Next game:

@ Chicago Bears (5-7)

Playing the Bears will be like looking into a mirror for the Redskins: both employ turnover prone quarterbacks whose play runs the gamut from excellent to interception machine, making them maddeningly inconsistent. Washington will be on the road, but the Bears have struggled at home, going 1-5 this year.

 

Philadelphia Eagles

sam bradford

Easily their most impressive victory this year. The offense still looked meh, but the defense and special teams totally outplayed an admittedly depleted Patriot’s squad. Sam Bradford returned from injury and  did just enough to make New England pay for mistakes while making none himself. If the Eagles can get a frustrated DeMarco Murray going and throw to tight end Zach Ertz, who is blossoming into an expanded role, their offense should be weather proof as the season’s final quarter turns chilly.

Next Game:

vs. Buffalo Bills (6-6)

The Bills will offer a tough test for the Eagles, as they are coming off a solid victory over the Houston Texans. This game is important as they face the 10-2 Arizona Cardinals the following week, before ending the season with back-to-back divisional tilts verses the Redskins and Giants.

 

New York Giants

image via Robert Sabo/ New York Daily News

image via Robert Sabo/ New York Daily News

Just a few weeks ago, it looked like the Giants had the division in the bag. Then they lost three straight games by a combined 10 points, all of which they had chances to win. Now they find themselves in a three-way tie but effectively in third place, due to their three divisional losses already.  Even though they have the best quarterback and receiver in the NFC East (in Eli Manning and Odell Beckham Jr.) these two cannot carry the team by themselves, as proven by the recent losing streak where each loss still featured an impressive Manning-to-Beckham touchdown. Other players need to step up if the Giants are going to take the division.

Next Game:

@Dolphins (5-7)

The Dolphins are another team that fluctuates week-to-week, but they are infinitely beatable. The schedule features the undefeated Panthers, the wildcard leading Vikings, before ending the season with what could be a pivotal home matchup verses the Eagles.

Dallas Cowboys

image via Bleacher Report

image via Bleacher Report

They’re still in it. Somehow. They proved they are capable of winning without Tony Romo for the first time all year, and defeated a division opponent to boot. It wasn’t pretty by any means, but Dallas defense held its own and quarterback Matt Cassel found Dez Bryant when it mattered most. They need to play like they did at the end of the fourth qaurter for entire games though, as they will face three teams with a .500 record or better before a rematch at home against the Redskins. Leaning on Bryant and running back Darren McFadden will be essential to keeping their already slim playoff hopes alive.

Next game:

@Green Bay Packers (8-4).

Yeesh. Well, good luck Dallas. Green Bay has proven vulnerable at home this year, but it’s a tall task for Dallas to come in on short rest to steal one from the Packers in Lambeau, with Green Bay coming off extended rest and the high of their Hail Mary victory over the Lions last Thursday.


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