In honor of the holiday season, we're making wish lists for every local team. The Redskins have been relatively blessed this season, but that doesn't mean there's nothing left to ask for.
Here are the five things that should be on Washington's wish list for the most wonderful time of the year.
1. Jordan Reed recovers and stays healthy down the stretch: Reed is a game-changer for both the Redskins and quarterback Kirk Cousins. He's suffered a concussion and shoulder injury this year and sometimes played hurt. A fully healthy Reed is capable of multi-touchdown games, as he's done twice this season. With Washington is on the fringes of a playoff berth, 100-percent Reed could be the difference.
2. Jerry Jones pushes starting Tony Romo in the playoffs: Nothing would please Redskins fans more than to make the postseason, then face a Tony Romo-led Cowboys. Fans should cross their fingers that Jerry keeps undermining Dak Prescott's confidence, only to pull the switcheroo once the playoffs start.
3. Goal-to-go touchdowns: Kirk Cousins has performed well on the whole this season. But whether it's Cousins on the offense, he's only completing 29.41 percent of his passes inside the oppenent's 10-yard line. That number is worst among starting quarterbacks. He has the 5th most passing attempts inside the 10, but only the 21st most completions. A few more touchdowns in these situations would be nice.
4. Average 3rd down defense: The Redskins have the second worst third down defense in the league, allowing their opponents to convert 48.19 percent of their third down attempts. Over the last three games, that number is 54.76 percent, worst in NFL. Washington hasn't invested a ton in its defensive line and doesn't have a bunch of Pro Bowl players in the front seven, but improving to league-average third down defense (around 38 percent) over the last three games could be good enough for the playoffs.
5. Reasonable schedule: Hey NFL schedule makers, the Redskins were tangibly disadvantaged this season. Do better for 2017.
Stats courtesy of ESPN.com, Pro-Football-Reference.com and TeamRankings.com
MORE REDSKINS: Matthew McConaughey on Cousins: I've seen enough, let's sign him
