It looks like the Redskins will play a role in the NFC playoffs after all.
Washington (4-9) hosts the Giants (7-6) Monday night in what now is a must-win game for the G-Men. Six days later, the Cowboys (9-5) come to town for a Sunday night bash at FedEx Field.
If there’s one thing for certain following the Cowboys’ 24-17 shocker over the previously unbeaten Saints, it’s that Dallas is the NFC’s biggest enigma. The Cowboys played horribly in losses to the Chargers, Broncos and Packers. They lost twice to the Giants — a flawed team having trouble getting out of its own way. And yet, Dallas still controls its own destiny. The Cowboys actually can win the NFC East by running the table.
The path to the playoffs is much harder for the Giants. They hold the tiebreaker against the Cowboys, but now trail Dallas by two games in the win column. A Cowboys loss and a Giants win would have put the G-Men in the driver’s seat for the last wild card spot. Instead, the Giants have to win out and hope the Cowboys stumble. New York ends the season with games against the Panthers and Vikings, who — by virtue of the Saints’ loss — still have a shot at home-field advantage.
Enter the Redskins. They can effectively end the Giants’ season with a win Monday night. They can severely injure the Cowboys by losing to New York and beating Dallas. They can beat both — or lose to both — and leave their rivals in the same spot.
Regardless, it’s going to be a wild six days in Landover.
