Need to Know: Redskins step into spoiler role

technical details

is_video => false
alias => "washington\/\/washington-redskins\/need-to-know-redskins-step-into-spoiler-role"
nid => "996241"
title => "Need to Know: Redskins step into spoiler role"
is_chrome_page => false
article_body => "Here is what you need to know on this Sunday, December 22, the day the Washington Redskins host the Dallas Cowboys.<\/p>\nNickel coverage<\/p>\nWhen you have nothing to play for, you find something to play for.<\/p>\nAlthough a Redskins win won\u2019t help them in any way involving the NFL standings\u2014they have locked up last place in the NFC East\u2014they nevertheless have to play the game so they might as well find a reason to win it. Here are a five of them:<\/p>\n1. They can do severe damage to the Cowboys\u2019 chances of making the playoffs. A Redskins win would set up a scenario where the Eagles would clinch the division with a Sunday night win over the Bears. If you can\u2019t impact your own playoff chances, the next best thing would be to damage those of a division rival.<\/p>\n2. If there is anybody for whom the players would like to \u201cwin one\u201d it\u2019s London Fletcher. He is universally admired and respected by the team and a win in his last game at FedEx Field would be the perfect going away present.<\/p>\n3. It may be that Daniel Snyder has already made up his mind and Mike Shanahan is out no matter what happens in these last two games. But if the owner is still teetering, a win could bolster his chances of staying. It seems that the players all want Shanahan to stay\u2014Fletcher and DeAngelo Hall both gave him endorsements this week\u2014and a win just might help Shanahan get another year.<\/p>\n4. If they aren\u2019t playing for Shanahan\u2019s job perhaps they are playing for their own jobs. There are only a handful of players on the roster who aren\u2019t unrestricted free agents or who wouldn\u2019t be able to be released with more than minimal impact on the salary cap. In short, much of the team is working on a two-game contract. If that\u2019s not incentive to play well, nothing is.<\/p>\n5. Finally how about winning one for the fans at FedEx Field? The Shanahan era has brought many more home losses than wins. They are 11-20 at home since 2010 and 2-5 this season. And since there is always a strong presence of fans dressed up in blue and silver when the Cowboys come to town the Redskins may need to stay out in front to avoid this sounding like a road game.<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/RealRedskins\">Like Real Redskins on Facebook!<\/a><\/p>\nIn case you missed it<\/p>\nSunday 12.15<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Turned over: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnwashington.com\/football-washington-redskins\/talk\/redskins-lose-atlanta-last-second\">Falcons parlay 7 giveaways into a win<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Players <a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnwashington.com\/football-washington-redskins\/talk\/redskins-support-decision-go-2\">support decision to go for two<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnwashington.com\/football-washington-redskins\/talk\/redskins-defense-holds-well-vs-falcons\">Defense holds up<\/a> well<\/li>\n<li>Cousins <a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnwashington.com\/football-washington-redskins\/talk\/redskins-cousins-critical-his-performance\">critical of his performance<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnwashington.com\/football-washington-redskins\/talk\/redskins-commit-7-turnovers-loss-falcons\">Redskins commit seven turnovers<\/a> vs. Falcons<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnwashington.com\/football-washington-redskins\/talk\/mike-shanahan-im-not-talking-about-job\">Shanahan walks out<\/a> of postgame presser<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnwashington.com\/football-washington-redskins\/talk\/report-shanahan-out-following-end-season\">Glazer says Shanahan is out<\/a> when season ends<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nMonday 12.16<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Shanahan: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnwashington.com\/football-washington-redskins\/talk\/shanahan-robert-clearly-our-starting-quarterback\">RG3 is the starting quarterback<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Shanahan <a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnwashington.com\/football-washington-redskins\/talk\/shanahan-confirms-he-wont-resign\">confirms he isn\u2019t resigning<\/a><\/li>\n<li>RG3 talks about <a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnwashington.com\/football-washington-redskins\/talk\/rg3-talks-about-overcoming-adversity\">overcoming adversity<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Shanahan: Despite turnovers, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnwashington.com\/football-washington-redskins\/talk\/shanahan-despite-turnovers-cousins-did-well-video\">Cousins played well<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnwashington.com\/football-washington-redskins\/talk\/cowboys-have-plenty-critics-dallas\">Cowboys have plenty of critics in Dallas<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnwashington.com\/football-washington-redskins\/talk\/shanahan-taps-brakes-cousins-praise\">Shanahan taps brakes<\/a> on Cousins praise<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnwashington.com\/football-washington-redskins\/talk\/redskins-reed-still-suffering-headaches\">Jordan Reed still suffering from headaches<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnwashington.com\/football-washington-redskins\/talk\/did-shanahan-play-odds-right-two-point-try\">Did Shanahan play the odds right<\/a> on the two-point try?<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnwashington.com\/football-washington-redskins\/talk\/green-points-finger-shanahan-redskins-problems\">Green points finger at Shanahan<\/a> for Redskins problems<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnwashington.com\/football-washington-redskins\/talk\/points-soar-redskins-opponents\">Points soar<\/a> for Redskins\u2019 opponents<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnwashington.com\/football-washington-redskins\/talk\/redskins-morris-upset-about-pair-fumbles\">Morris upset<\/a> about fumbles<\/li>\n<li>Gar\u00e7on nears <a href=\"http:\/\/realredskins.com\/2013\/12\/16\/need-to-know-redskins-garcon-nears-receiving-record\/\">receiving record<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\nTuesday 12.17<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnwashington.com\/football-washington-redskins\/talk\/report-rg3s-father-politicked-briles\">Report: RG3's father pushed for Briles<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnwashington.com\/football-washington-redskins\/talk\/jerry-jones-worried-about-lee-cowboys-depth\">Jerry Jones worried about Lee, Cowboys depth<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnwashington.com\/football-washington-redskins\/talk\/have-nfl-refs-gone-rogue\">Have NFL refs gone rogue?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnbaltimore.com\/blog\/ravens-talk\/former-mvp-moseley-admires-tuckers-season\">Former MVP Moseley admires Tucker's season<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnwashington.com\/football-washington-redskins\/talk\/redskins-young-tweaks-hamstring-status-unclear\">Redskins' Young tweaks hamstring, status unclear<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnwashington.com\/football-washington-redskins\/talk\/redskins-snap-counts-vs-falcons\">Redskins snap counts vs. Falcons<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnwashington.com\/football-washington-redskins\/talk\/shanahan-says-redskins-are-tuning-out-distractions\">Shanahan says Redskins are tuning out distractions<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnwashington.com\/football-washington-redskins\/talk\/rex-ryan-may-be-done-ny-he-fit-redskins\">Rex Ryan may be done in NY, is he a fit for the Redskins?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnwashington.com\/football-washington-redskins\/talk\/open-thread-qb-competition-real-or-perceived\">OPEN THREAD: QB competition real or perceived?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/realredskins.com\/2013\/12\/17\/need-to-know-shanahan-says-redskins-offense-did-not-change-for-cousins\/\">Shanahan says Redskins' offense did not change for Cousins<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\nWednesday 12.18<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnwashington.com\/football-washington-redskins\/talk\/fletcher-99-percent-sure-hell-retire\">Fletcher likely to call it a career<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnwashington.com\/football-washington-redskins\/talk\/3-and-out-redskins-hope-play-spoiler-vs-cowboys\">3 and out: Redskins hope to play spoiler vs. Cowboys<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnwashington.com\/football-washington-redskins\/talk\/redskins-fletcher-advises-rg3-exhale\">Redskins' Fletcher advises RG3 to 'exhale'<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnwashington.com\/football-washington-redskins\/talk\/redskins-pick-c-jd-walton\">Redskins pick up C JD Walton<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnwashington.com\/football-washington-redskins\/talk\/redskins-reed-williams-sit-out-practice\">Redskins' Reed, Williams sit out practice<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnwashington.com\/football-washington-redskins\/talk\/who-will-take-london-fletchers-place-redskins\">Who will take London Fletcher's place on the Redskins?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnwashington.com\/football-washington-redskins\/talk\/fletcher-shanahan-he%E2%80%99s-right-guy\">Fletcher on Shanahan: 'He\u2019s the right guy\"<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnwashington.com\/football-washington-redskins\/talk\/can-redskins-d-stop-demarco-murray\">Can the Redskins D stop DeMarco Murray?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnwashington.com\/football-washington-redskins\/talk\/where-are-we-state-redskins-after-14-games-0\">Where are we? State of the Redskins after 14 games<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnwashington.com\/football-washington-redskins\/talk\/browns-insider-no-first-cousins-cleveland\">Browns insider: No first for Cousins from Cleveland<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnwashington.com\/football-washington-redskins\/talk\/report-refutes-allegations-concerning-rg3-father\">Report refutes allegations concerning RG3, father<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/realredskins.com\/2013\/12\/18\/need-to-know-att-stadium-north-on-sunday\/\">Will the Redskins play in AT&T Stadium North on Sunday?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\nThursday 12.19<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Kyle: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnwashington.com\/football-washington-redskins\/talk\/kyle-shanahan-disputes-reports-about-redskins\">'There\u2019s a report about everything'<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnwashington.com\/football-washington-redskins\/talk\/despite-turnovers-jerry-jones-supports-romo\">Despite turnovers, Jerry Jones supports Romo<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnwashington.com\/football-washington-redskins\/talk\/redskins-williams-returns-practice-thursday\">Redskins' Williams returns to practice Thursday<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnwashington.com\/football-washington-redskins\/talk\/new-redskins-ol-walton-wont-play-13\">New Redskins OL Walton won't play in '13<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnwashington.com\/football-washington-redskins\/talk\/redskins-reed-concussion-done-season\">Redskins' Reed (concussion) done for the season<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnwashington.com\/football-washington-redskins\/talk\/after-further-review-cousins-feels-pretty-good-about-performance\">After further review, Cousins feels 'pretty good' about performance<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnwashington.com\/football-washington-redskins\/talk\/analyst-scheme-footwork-contribute-rg3s-year\">Analyst: Scheme, footwork contribute to RG3's off year<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/realredskins.com\/2013\/12\/19\/need-to-know-fletchers-streak-will-be-his-legacy\/\">Fletcher's streak will be his legacy<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\nFriday 12.20<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnwashington.com\/football-washington-redskins\/talk\/point-counterpoint-redskins-orakpo-must-sign-player\">Is Orakpo a must-sign player?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnwashington.com\/football-washington-redskins\/talk\/reeds-promising-rookie-year-cut-short\">Reed's promising rookie year cut short<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnwashington.com\/football-washington-redskins\/talk\/cowboys-hobbled-going-game-vs-redskins\">Cowboys hobbled going into game vs. Redskins<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnwashington.com\/football-washington-redskins\/talk\/aikman-blasts-cowboys-play-calling-packers-loss\">Aikman blasts Cowboys play calling in Packers loss<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnwashington.com\/football-washington-redskins\/talk\/injury-reportyoung-questionable-redskins\">Injury Report: Young questionable for Redskins<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/realredskins.com\/2013\/12\/20\/mike-shanahan-wont-comment-on-rg3s-coachability\/\">Mike Shanahan won't comment on RG3's coachability<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnwashington.com\/football-washington-redskins\/talk\/game-preview-cowboys-redskins-0\">Game preview: Cowboys at Redskins<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/realredskins.com\/2013\/12\/20\/need-to-know-haslett-makes-case-for-elite-orakpo\/\">Haslett makes case for 'elite' Orakpo<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\nSaturday 12.21<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnwashington.com\/football-washington-redskins\/talk\/need-know-look-some-redskins-numbers\">Need to Know: A look at some Redskins numbers<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnwashington.com\/football-washington-redskins\/talk\/nfl-announces-league-year-will-start-march-11\">NFL announces league year will start March 11<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnwashington.com\/football-washington-redskins\/talk\/competition-brewing-jon-grudens-services\">Competition brewing for Jon Gruden's services<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnwashington.com\/football-washington-redskins\/talk\/redskins-aldrick-robinson-capitalizing-opportunity\">Redskins Aldrick Robinson capitalizing on opportunity<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.csnwashington.com\/football-washington-redskins\/talk\/can-jerry-jones-win-another-super-bowl\">Can Jerry Jones win another Super Bowl?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n"
author => "Rich Tandler"
mps => {"author":"Rich Tandler","league":"","sport":"","sponsor":""}
published => "1387709877"
created => "1387709877"
changed => "1387709877"
status => "1"
tags => [{"tid":"14916","name":"Real Redskins","url":"tags\/real-redskins"}]
section => "Redskins"
team => "Washington Redskins"
chrome_data => "{\"league\":\"\",\"sport\":\"\",\"sponsor\":\"\"}"
image => {"uri":"public:\/\/archive\/assets_article\/washington\/2013\/12\/22\/redskins-cowboys-lines1.png","alt":"redskins-cowboys-lines1.png","title":"Need to Know: Redskins step into spoiler role"}
sponsor => ""
region => "washington"
fb_url => "https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/dialog\/share?app_id=1175440639277882&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nbcsports.com%2Fwashington%2Fwashington-redskins%2Fneed-to-know-redskins-step-into-spoiler-role&display=popup"
tw_url => "https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=Need%20to%20Know%3A%20Redskins%20step%20into%20spoiler%20role&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nbcsports.com%2Fwashington%2Fwashington-redskins%2Fneed-to-know-redskins-step-into-spoiler-role&original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nbcsports.com%2Fwashington%2Fwashington-redskins%2Fneed-to-know-redskins-step-into-spoiler-role"
mailto => "mailto:?subject=Need%20to%20Know%3A%20Redskins%20step%20into%20spoiler%20role&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nbcsports.com%2Fwashington%2Fwashington-redskins%2Fneed-to-know-redskins-step-into-spoiler-role"
tags_hide => []
type => "article"
meta => {"file":"\/mnt\/gfs\/rsnunited\/sites\/default\/files\/archive\/article\/washington\/washington-redskins\/need-to-know-redskins-step-into-spoiler-role.json","assets":["public:\/\/archive\/assets_article\/washington\/2013\/12\/22\/redskins-cowboys-lines1.png"]}
orig_image => {"uri":"public:\/\/2016\/11\/17\/redskins-cowboys-lines1.png","alt":"redskins-cowboys-lines1.png","title":"Need to Know: Redskins step into spoiler role"}
article_type => "article"

Redskins

Here is what you need to know on this Sunday, December 22, the day the Washington Redskins host the Dallas Cowboys.

Nickel coverage

When you have nothing to play for, you find something to play for.

Although a Redskins win won’t help them in any way involving the NFL standings—they have locked up last place in the NFC East—they nevertheless have to play the game so they might as well find a reason to win it. Here are a five of them:

1. They can do severe damage to the Cowboys’ chances of making the playoffs. A Redskins win would set up a scenario where the Eagles would clinch the division with a Sunday night win over the Bears. If you can’t impact your own playoff chances, the next best thing would be to damage those of a division rival.

2. If there is anybody for whom the players would like to “win one” it’s London Fletcher. He is universally admired and respected by the team and a win in his last game at FedEx Field would be the perfect going away present.

3. It may be that Daniel Snyder has already made up his mind and Mike Shanahan is out no matter what happens in these last two games. But if the owner is still teetering, a win could bolster his chances of staying. It seems that the players all want Shanahan to stay—Fletcher and DeAngelo Hall both gave him endorsements this week—and a win just might help Shanahan get another year.

4. If they aren’t playing for Shanahan’s job perhaps they are playing for their own jobs. There are only a handful of players on the roster who aren’t unrestricted free agents or who wouldn’t be able to be released with more than minimal impact on the salary cap. In short, much of the team is working on a two-game contract. If that’s not incentive to play well, nothing is.

5. Finally how about winning one for the fans at FedEx Field? The Shanahan era has brought many more home losses than wins. They are 11-20 at home since 2010 and 2-5 this season. And since there is always a strong presence of fans dressed up in blue and silver when the Cowboys come to town the Redskins may need to stay out in front to avoid this sounding like a road game.

Like Real Redskins on Facebook!