The Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, and Washington Redskins still can claim a spot in the NFL playoffs. The Cowboys and Redskins will play for the NFC East division title on Sunday Night Football on NBC on Sunday Dec. 30, 2012. The Giants can't win the division, but they can still earn a wild card spot.
The Washington Redskins stand at 9-6 with a 4-2 divisional record. With a win they win the division and become the NFC's four seed. They can win a wild card berth if they lose and the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings lose.
The Dallas Cowboys are 8-7 and have a 3-2 divisional record. They can only make the playoffs by beating Washington and winning the division.
The New York Giants are 8-7 and have a 2-3 divisional record. They can't win the division but they can earn a wild card spot with some help. The Giants first need to win their final game of the season against the Philadelphia Eagles. Then they will need the Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings, and Dallas Cowboys to lose.
The Washington Redskins stand at 9-6 with a 4-2 divisional record. With a win they win the division and become the NFC's four seed. They can win a wild card berth if they lose and the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings lose.
The Dallas Cowboys are 8-7 and have a 3-2 divisional record. They can only make the playoffs by beating Washington and winning the division.
The New York Giants are 8-7 and have a 2-3 divisional record. They can't win the division but they can earn a wild card spot with some help. The Giants first need to win their final game of the season against the Philadelphia Eagles. Then they will need the Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings, and Dallas Cowboys to lose.
The Redskins have been the biggest (positive) surprise. The Redskins finished 5-11 last year. They had a quarterback competition for the starting job between Rex Grossman and John Beck last season. Rex Grossman and John Beck, really? Let's just say they had some issues.
Things have been looking up in Washington. With the hiring of Mike Shanahan in 2010, the Washington organization has turned around. Even though the team's record in 2010 and 2011 doesn't show it, 6-10 and 5-11 respectively, the franchise has begun to change for the better.
Immediately the Redskins could run the ball. A plethora of running backs have come through Washington since the arrival of Shanahan and after the departure of longtime Redskins running back Clinton Portis. To name a few: Tim Hightower, Ryan Torrain, Roy Helu Jr., Keiland Williams and Evan Royster. All young and no-namers except for Hightower who has previously played for the Arizona Cardinals. Royster and Williams are still on the Redskins roster, but they back up rookie sensation Alfred Morris. Morris was a 6th round pick from Florida Atlantic University. Morris has also rushed for 1,413 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 4.7 yards per carry through week 16. The Redskins also lead the league in rushing this year with 162.3 yards per game. In conclusion, Shanahan teams can run the football.
Beside running the ball, the Redskins have played stellar defense and added a franchise quarterback. Yes, I'm talking about Robert Griffin III. RGIII's height, passing ability, and durability were questioned coming into this season. Griffin stands at 6'2 and 3/4", has thrown for 20 touchdowns, 5 interceptions, 3,100 yards, and has a quarterback rating of 104.1 (through week 16), and has missed only one game.
Things have been looking up in Washington. With the hiring of Mike Shanahan in 2010, the Washington organization has turned around. Even though the team's record in 2010 and 2011 doesn't show it, 6-10 and 5-11 respectively, the franchise has begun to change for the better.
Immediately the Redskins could run the ball. A plethora of running backs have come through Washington since the arrival of Shanahan and after the departure of longtime Redskins running back Clinton Portis. To name a few: Tim Hightower, Ryan Torrain, Roy Helu Jr., Keiland Williams and Evan Royster. All young and no-namers except for Hightower who has previously played for the Arizona Cardinals. Royster and Williams are still on the Redskins roster, but they back up rookie sensation Alfred Morris. Morris was a 6th round pick from Florida Atlantic University. Morris has also rushed for 1,413 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 4.7 yards per carry through week 16. The Redskins also lead the league in rushing this year with 162.3 yards per game. In conclusion, Shanahan teams can run the football.
Beside running the ball, the Redskins have played stellar defense and added a franchise quarterback. Yes, I'm talking about Robert Griffin III. RGIII's height, passing ability, and durability were questioned coming into this season. Griffin stands at 6'2 and 3/4", has thrown for 20 touchdowns, 5 interceptions, 3,100 yards, and has a quarterback rating of 104.1 (through week 16), and has missed only one game.
The Cowboys have pretty much been the typical Cowboys this season. They show signs of promise. Signs of great potential. Tony Romo has had a great season with 4,685 yards and 26 touchdowns. He has also stayed injury free which is good for the Cowboys. Third year wide receiver Dez Bryant has stepped up as a big time target for Romo and the Cowboys this year with 88 receptions, 1,311 yards, and 12 touchdowns. Tight end Jason Witten adds a tight end record of 103 receptions to this potent Dallas offense.
On the other hand, the Cowboys have disappointed as much as they have impressed. They are 8-7 coming into week 17. Defensively, they rank 14th in the league giving up 355.1 yards per game. They give up the 10th most points per game: 24.8. It seems like every season the Cowboys can't live up to Jerry Jones' huge expectations. Everything is bigger in Texas, including expectations for the Cowboys.
On the other hand, the Cowboys have disappointed as much as they have impressed. They are 8-7 coming into week 17. Defensively, they rank 14th in the league giving up 355.1 yards per game. They give up the 10th most points per game: 24.8. It seems like every season the Cowboys can't live up to Jerry Jones' huge expectations. Everything is bigger in Texas, including expectations for the Cowboys.
The New York Giants have fallen very short of their "giant" expectations also. Coming off an impressive postseason run and Super Bowl victory, everyone thought the Giants would be back for more in 2012. They might not even get to see playoff action this year.
The Giants are currently 8-7 and third in the NFC East. They can only get into the playoffs as a wild card, and they'll need some help to do so. "Help" would come through the Cowboys, Vikings, and Bears all losing. They also need to first help themselves by winning against the 4-11 Philadelphia Eagles.
Despite what the Giants have done twice in the last five seasons, they most likely won't be able to "turn it on" when they need to this year. The Giants were 6-2 after eight games this season. Since then, they have gone 2-5. It seems that they have "turned it off" rather than on. Will the Giants manage to squeak by and get into the playoffs? Probably not.
The Giants are currently 8-7 and third in the NFC East. They can only get into the playoffs as a wild card, and they'll need some help to do so. "Help" would come through the Cowboys, Vikings, and Bears all losing. They also need to first help themselves by winning against the 4-11 Philadelphia Eagles.
Despite what the Giants have done twice in the last five seasons, they most likely won't be able to "turn it on" when they need to this year. The Giants were 6-2 after eight games this season. Since then, they have gone 2-5. It seems that they have "turned it off" rather than on. Will the Giants manage to squeak by and get into the playoffs? Probably not.
And finally we come to the basement dwelling Philadelphia Eagles. There's not much to say about them. They started the season 3-1 and have lost 10 of their last 11. Defensive coordinator Juan Castillo was ousted early in the year and now Andy Reid appears he'll follow suit. Quarterback Michael Vick will likely be gone too as rookie Nick Foles appears he'll assume the starting role next season. Times are changing in Philadelphia.
The firing of Juan Castillo, I feel, was the right move. The Eagles have been known for their hard-hitting and tough defense in recent years. These defenses were highlighted by the play of Brian Dawkins, Jeremiah Trotter, and Jevon Kearse. Since Juan Castillo took over as defensive coordinator in 2011 and instilled his wide-nine crap, the defense has been highlighted by poor tackling and inability to stop teams in the red zone.
Andy Reid shouldn't go as head coach. He has had only three losing seasons and has lead the Eagles to a 129-88-1 (W-L-T) regular season record since taking over in 1999. Reid has lead the Eagles to five NFC championship games, including four straight from 2001-2004, and one super bowl appearance (2004). Reid also has a 10-9 record in the playoffs. You can't blame Reid for the abysmal play of his players.
The firing of Juan Castillo, I feel, was the right move. The Eagles have been known for their hard-hitting and tough defense in recent years. These defenses were highlighted by the play of Brian Dawkins, Jeremiah Trotter, and Jevon Kearse. Since Juan Castillo took over as defensive coordinator in 2011 and instilled his wide-nine crap, the defense has been highlighted by poor tackling and inability to stop teams in the red zone.
Andy Reid shouldn't go as head coach. He has had only three losing seasons and has lead the Eagles to a 129-88-1 (W-L-T) regular season record since taking over in 1999. Reid has lead the Eagles to five NFC championship games, including four straight from 2001-2004, and one super bowl appearance (2004). Reid also has a 10-9 record in the playoffs. You can't blame Reid for the abysmal play of his players.