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  4. title => "Even without playoff implications, here are three good reasons Redskins fans should watch the Eagles game"
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  6. article_body => "<p>Josh Johnson and the Redskins could blow out the Eagles and blow the visor off&nbsp;Doug Pederson's head this Sunday and it still wouldn't matter; they're not making the playoffs in 2018.<\/p>\n<p>So, there's no point in pretending like Week 17's Washington-Philadelphia game is MUST-WATCH NFL ACTION, because for Burgundy and Gold fans, the stakes at FedEx Field simply aren't high.<\/p>\n<p>With that being said, plenty of interesting storylines remain for the team's season finale. If you're unsure of whether or not you'll be tuning in, consider these three reasons to watch before you make your decision.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>1) It's a chance to see how they close out a turbulent year<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>One&nbsp;common defense&nbsp;of Jay Gruden's coaching is that his players \"don't quit on him.\" Well, Sunday is one last chance before next season to see if that holds up.<\/p>\n<p>Last year, an injury-riddled Redskins roster went up to New York with a chance to take out the Giants and finish 8-8. Of course, 8-8 shouldn't be the goal, but at that point it would've been a fairly impressive record with all that squad dealt with.<\/p>\n<p>Instead, they stunk, and wound up with&nbsp;a 7-9 record. Will a&nbsp;disappointing finish&nbsp;happen again this time around, or will Gruden and his players be able to focus and get to .500 after what has somehow been an even harder year?<\/p>\n<p>The level of effort and execution will be worth paying attention to, considering the postseason isn't attainable. Gruden's future isn't secure, and while his seat may not be as hot as it was a few weeks ago, a competitive showing versus a division rival would serve him well.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>2) It could be Adrian Peterson's last game with Washington<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Somehow, through a campaign that's featured weekly lineup switches and updates to the injured reserve list, 33-year-old Adrian Peterson has continued his&nbsp;jump-cutting and galloping for the offense.<\/p>\n<p>No. 26 has appeared in all 15 games so far for the 'Skins. Beyond Sunday, however, his NFL career isn't settled.<\/p>\n<p>The one-year deal he signed with Washington back in August will soon expire and he'll become a free agent again. You'd think there would be mutual interest from both sides in doing it all again in 2019, but questions remain. Will Peterson want to share carries with a healthy Derrius Guice, or would he prefer to go elsewhere for more action?<\/p>\n<p>That stuff will work itself out eventually, sure. Until then, enjoy Peterson's performance against Philly. You only get so many opportunities to watch an all-time great wear your franchise's jersey, and Week 17 is one of those precious opportunities.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>3) Can Tress Way pull it off?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Tress Way is a pitcher with a perfect game and this Eagles contest is the bottom of the ninth.<\/p>\n<p>The punter, who has been a legitimately fun part of this year, hasn't had a punt of his land in the end zone for a touchback yet. He's four quarters away from becoming the third punter ever to record a touchback-less season.<\/p>\n<p>His gunners need to lay out like outfielders trying to turn hits into outs. The crowd needs to be quiet each time he takes the field.<\/p>\n<p>NOTHING about the 2018 Redskins has been perfect. Well, almost nothing. If Way pulls this&nbsp;off, he'll be the one part of the team that was flawless over the course of 17&nbsp;otherwise trying weeks.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>MORE REDSKINS NEWS<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>A Better Draft Pick: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/washington\/redskins\/2019-nfl-draft-who-root-week-17-if-you-are-washington-redskins-fan\">Which Week 17 results can help the 'Skins<\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong>Major changes: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/washington\/redskins\/redskins-make-major-changes-business-operations-brian-lafemina-out\" target=\"_self\">Redskins get rid of key business executives<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>The Ashburn circus: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/washington\/redskins\/6-weeks-redskins-have-been-circus-so-what-happens-next\" target=\"_self\">What happens next with 'Skins?<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>'Maximum disrespect': <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/washington\/redskins\/josh-norman-viewed-taylor-lewans-postgame-behavior-maximum-disrespect\" target=\"_self\">Norman reacts to Lewan incident<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><iframe src=\"https:\/\/art19.com\/shows\/f1339a3e-06a7-41d6-bc8b-77df06fb8eae\/episodes\/01f7c53a-9c32-4830-a000-5a5a6ef16dad\/embed?theme=light-blue\" style=\"width: 100%; height: 200px; border: 0 none;\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/strong><\/p>\n"
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Redskins

Redskins

Josh Johnson and the Redskins could blow out the Eagles and blow the visor off Doug Pederson's head this Sunday and it still wouldn't matter; they're not making the playoffs in 2018.

So, there's no point in pretending like Week 17's Washington-Philadelphia game is MUST-WATCH NFL ACTION, because for Burgundy and Gold fans, the stakes at FedEx Field simply aren't high.

With that being said, plenty of interesting storylines remain for the team's season finale. If you're unsure of whether or not you'll be tuning in, consider these three reasons to watch before you make your decision.

1) It's a chance to see how they close out a turbulent year

One common defense of Jay Gruden's coaching is that his players "don't quit on him." Well, Sunday is one last chance before next season to see if that holds up.

Last year, an injury-riddled Redskins roster went up to New York with a chance to take out the Giants and finish 8-8. Of course, 8-8 shouldn't be the goal, but at that point it would've been a fairly impressive record with all that squad dealt with.

Instead, they stunk, and wound up with a 7-9 record. Will a disappointing finish happen again this time around, or will Gruden and his players be able to focus and get to .500 after what has somehow been an even harder year?

The level of effort and execution will be worth paying attention to, considering the postseason isn't attainable. Gruden's future isn't secure, and while his seat may not be as hot as it was a few weeks ago, a competitive showing versus a division rival would serve him well.

 

2) It could be Adrian Peterson's last game with Washington

Somehow, through a campaign that's featured weekly lineup switches and updates to the injured reserve list, 33-year-old Adrian Peterson has continued his jump-cutting and galloping for the offense.

No. 26 has appeared in all 15 games so far for the 'Skins. Beyond Sunday, however, his NFL career isn't settled.

The one-year deal he signed with Washington back in August will soon expire and he'll become a free agent again. You'd think there would be mutual interest from both sides in doing it all again in 2019, but questions remain. Will Peterson want to share carries with a healthy Derrius Guice, or would he prefer to go elsewhere for more action?

That stuff will work itself out eventually, sure. Until then, enjoy Peterson's performance against Philly. You only get so many opportunities to watch an all-time great wear your franchise's jersey, and Week 17 is one of those precious opportunities.

3) Can Tress Way pull it off?

Tress Way is a pitcher with a perfect game and this Eagles contest is the bottom of the ninth.

The punter, who has been a legitimately fun part of this year, hasn't had a punt of his land in the end zone for a touchback yet. He's four quarters away from becoming the third punter ever to record a touchback-less season.

His gunners need to lay out like outfielders trying to turn hits into outs. The crowd needs to be quiet each time he takes the field.

NOTHING about the 2018 Redskins has been perfect. Well, almost nothing. If Way pulls this off, he'll be the one part of the team that was flawless over the course of 17 otherwise trying weeks.   

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