Can The Redskins Maintain First Place in the NFC East?

With a huge 20-14 victory against the New York Giants at FedEx Field, the Washington Redskins are entering December at first place in the NFC East with a 5-6 record. Currently, the Redskins are 2-1 in the division with three divisional games upcoming against the Dallas twice and at Philadelphia, who are both a mess right now. The Redskins can easily clinch the NFC East by winning all of their final five games of the season, or just winning three out of five games. The tiebreakers and their remaining schedule is all in their favor.

So with this in mind, can the Redskins maintain their lead in the NFC East? Despite not having a winning streak and a road victory this season, there is a good chance the Redskins can take full control of the NFC East. However, it is very hard to get a good feeling of the Redskins because they have been very inconsistent all season. While they have struggled on the road this season, a lot of their losses came against elite teams with undefeated and one loss records at the time. The Redskins final three road games of the season will come against teams with losing records.

Given their upcoming schedule, Monday Night's home game versus the Dallas Cowboys is a huge divisional matchup for the Redskins. While the Cowboys still have not won a game without starting quarterback Tony Romo, strange things happen when the Cowboys and Redskins play under the primetime stage. The Cowboys would want revenge from last year's home loss on Monday Night and hurt the Redskins division title chances. Another negative for the Redskins, they have one home win on Monday Night Football since 2000, and are 3-17 in primeitme games since Joe Gibbs retired after the 2007 season.

For the Redskins to prevent a primetime letdown at home, they will have to stick to their gameplan, play inspired football, stop the running game, score touchdowns off turnovers, and win the turnover battle.

Win or lose,  just be happy that the main focus for the Redskins in December is the games on the field insteadof the endless gossip off the field that plagued the franchise the last two years.


Image Courtesy of Rob Carr/Getty Images

Despite a Bad Loss In Carolina, The Washington Redskins Still Control Their Own Destiny For The NFC East Title

Last Sunday's loss to the Carolina Panthers 44-16 in Charlotte was extremely bad all around for the Washington Redskins. The team committed endless turnovers on offense and they couldn't stop Cam Newton and the Panthers offense. After a terrible illegal hit penalty on Redskins

cornerback Chris Culliver, which could of resulted in a game changing interception return for a touchdown, the Panthers outscored the Redskins 30-2.

The officiating dictated the outcome of the game early, and while the penalties were even for both teams, most of the big game changing penalties went against the Redskins. At this time, the Redskins aren't a good enough team to overcome bad penalty calls by the officials. Maybe they will in a few years when general manager Scott McGloughan adds more high level talent to the roster.

The loss still does not change anything in terms of their chances to clinch the NFC East. The Redskins are currently 1-1 in the division with four divisional games left in the season. The NFC East stretch begins this Sunday at FedEx Field vs the New York Giants. The Giants have won five straight against the Redskins. Even worse, Giants quarterback Eli Manning is 7-3 in his career against the Redskins. Meanwhile, Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins has thrown six interceptions in his career against the Giants.

If the Redskins are going to have any chance winning the division, they will have to win Sunday vs the Giants. A win gives them a first place tie with a 5-6 record and a 2-1 record in the division with five games left. Another loss to the Giants gives them a tiebreaker edge to the Giants.

With the Eagles struggling on offense under head coach Chip Kelly, the Cowboys trying to make up huge ground with quarterback Tony Romo back from his injury after losing seven straight games, the NFC East could come down to the Redskins and Giants. Currently, the Redskins have the easiest schedule remaining in the NFC East. Take a look at their remaining schedules for all four NFC East teams.

Washington Redskins remaining schedule:

Week 12 vs N.Y. Giants

Week 13 vs. Dallas: Monday Night Football

Week 14 @ Chicago

Week 15 vs. Buffalo

Week 16 @ Philadelphia

Week 17 @ Dallas

NY. Giants remaining schedule

Week 12 @Washington

Week 13 vs. N.Y. Jets

Week 14 @ Miami: Monday Night Football

Week 15 vs. Carolina

Week 16 @ Minnesota

Week 17 vs. Philadelphia

Philadelphia Eagles remaining schedule

Week 12 @Detroit: Thanksgiving Day

Week 13 @ New England

Week 14 vs. Buffalo

Week 15 vs. Arizona

Week 16 vs. Washington

Week 17 @ N.Y. Giants

Dallas Cowboys remaining schedule

Week 12 vs. Carolina: Thanksgiving Day

Week 13 @ Washington: Monday Night Football

Week 14 @ Green Bay

Week 15 vs. N.Y. Jets: Saturday Night Football

Week 16 @ Buffalo

Week 17 vs. Washington

As you see, the Giants, Eagles and Cowboys have a very tough schedule upcoming. Eagles and Cowboys will need to win and get help from the Giants and Redskins down the stretch.

With these games coming up, this is why Sunday's matchip is the game of the year in the NFC East and possibly the biggest game in Jay Gruden's head coaching career in Washington. The Redskins will need to put the loss at Carolina behind them and realize that the real season begins this Sunday. While they have major flaws on both sides of the ball, playing average football might be good enough to win the NFC East.

Image courtesy of USA Today For The Win blog