Redskins can clinch worst-to-1st turnaround
Coach questions Dolphins’ leaders
PHILADELPHIA — The Washington Redskins played the spoiler role when they eliminated the Philadelphia Eagles from playoff contention in Week 16 last year.
Their stakes are much higher this time around.
The Redskins (7-7) would complete a worst-to-first journey and capture their first NFC East title since RG3’s rookie season with a victory at Philadelphia (6-8) tonight.
The Eagles need to win to stay alive. They would secure their second division title in three years if they beat the Redskins and the Giants (6-8) on Jan. 3.
“They have the same implications in place: They control their own destiny, also. And so it’s going to be a dogfight and we know that,” Redskins Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams said.
When Robert Griffin III led the Redskins to a 27-24 win over Mark Sanchez and the Eagles on Dec. 20, 2014, it was Washington’s fourth and final win. It knocked Philadelphia out of the playoff race, even though the Eagles finished 10-6.
Now, the Eagles would win the division if they could just get to 8-8.
“The playoffs start now and that’s the bottom line,” Eagles tight end Zach Ertz said. “The next two are huge.”
Kirk Cousins rallied the Redskins to a 23-20 win against the Eagles in Week 4 by leading a 90-yard drive capped with a 4-yard TD pass to Pierre Garcon in the final minute.
Cousins was just settling into his starting role at that point after beating out Griffin for the job in the preseason. He’s only gotten better since the first meeting. Cousins has 16 TD passes and four TDs rushing in the last eight games. He’s the first quarterback in club history with six 300-yard passing games in a single season.
“I feel good about where Kirk is or where his mind is at,” coach Jay Gruden said.
In the opposite huddle, Sam Bradford plays his first do-ordie game since his rookie year in St. Louis. The Rams were 7-8 with a chance to win the NFC West in 2010, but lost 16-6 at Seattle.
Bradford has improved as he’s become more familiar with Chip Kelly’s offense and his new teammates. He had 361 yards passing, but three turnovers in a 40-17 loss to Arizona last week.
“You see a guy that’s throwing the ball extremely accurately, and he’s doing it better each week,” offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur said.
Miami interim coach Dan Campbell thinks the team suffered from a lack of leadership this season.
Yes, there were injuries, lots of them, to key players. But as Campbell said, every team deals with injuries.
“I think that just overall leadership is something that we’ve got to get better at,” he said.
“We do have leaders in that locker room. We’ve got good guys. We’ve got guys that work, but just as a whole for those guys to take ownership of how they handle their business and go about things and what they accept and don’t accept. That’s where it’s got to come from, and that’s the next step.”
So instead of playing for a playoff berth, the Dolphins (5-9) have nothing at stake Sunday when they host Indianapolis (6-8).
Asked about needing to improve the overall leadership on the team, receiver Rishard Matthews said: “Possibly, yeah.
“As far as just holding people accountable whether it’s practicing, making plays, doing the off-the-field work, I definitely agree with what (Campbell) said.”
LIONS: She could have spent Christmas in the Hamptons or on a beach in Florida, but team owner Martha Firestone Ford instead chose to spend part of her holiday with her team.
Ford and about a dozen of her family members attended part of Lions practice Friday and afterward took time to greet players on their way off the field.
“Small things like that, it means a lot,” guard Larry Warford said. “It was really great of her to do that and show up.”
BEARS: Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery was listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game against Tampa Bay because of a hamstring injury.
JETS: Cornerback Dee Milliner is doubtful for the game against New England on Sunday with a strained hamstring.
TITANS: Wide receiver Kendall Wright and safety Da’Norris Searcy are probable to play against Houston on Sunday.