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It's going to feel sacrilegious, and it's going to feel dirty — so dirty, in fact, that you may get random urges to apply globs of hand sanitizer or shower multiple times a day. But it's also the right thing to do, even though it'll feel so wrong.

Yes, that's right: For the rest of the 2016 NFL regular season, Redskins fans should be pulling for the Cowboys. Hard.

That's because, over their next five games starting Thursday night against the Vikings, the Cowboys will be matched up against teams that will figure prominently in the NFC playoff picture — teams that could end up stealing the playoff spot the Redskins are fighting so hard for. 

After the contest in Minnesota (who is a half-game behind the 'Skins in the NFC standings), Dallas will face:

• The Giants, who are right above Washington in the NFC East standings, and who currently occupy the first Wild Card position
• The Buccaneers, who are nipping on the Burgundy and Gold's heels for the second Wild Card and also a half-game back
• The Lions, who look primed for the NFC North crown with the Wild Card as a backup
• And the Eagles, who are a distant threat, but aren't eliminated from contention, either  

The fact of the matter is that, at this point, it would take an utter collapse by "America's Team" to give up the top spot in the division. Therefore, the Redskins' only realistic chance at qualifying for the postseason again is via a Wild Card spot, which is why it makes total sense to root for their bitter rivals to win out and trip up the other franchises that are also interested in playing in January.

Sure, it'll be painful. More Cowboys success means more insufferable Ezekiel Elliot "feed me" celebrations and more TV time for Dez Bryant. Under normal circumstances, no one in the DMV would ever wish for those things to come to fruition.

Unfortunately, as the situation stands now, it's the smart thing to do. You know what they say, after all: Desperate times call for stupid, blasphemous and sinful measures. That's how that old phrase goes, right?

MORE REDSKINS: AN UPDATED LOOK AT THE TEAM'S PLAYOFF SCENARIOS

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As training camp continues to build, JP Finlay and Pete Hailey will answer burning questions related to the Washington Football Team.

Up next: Which player, outside of Dwayne Haskins, has a lot riding on 2020?

Pete's pick: Sean Davis

Washington's free agency class is crowded with players on one-year deals, which is something Ron Rivera loves.

"A lot of these guys want to come in and say, ‘Hey, give me an opportunity to compete, let me prove myself,'" Rivera told the media a few months ago. "I love that guys are betting on themselves, that they’re going to come in and prove that they belong, that they deserve an extensive contract." 

Sean Davis is one such guy who's betting on himself, and should he win that bet, it'll do a ton for his career as well as for the franchise, too.

First, look at it from Davis' point of view. The ex-Steeler was a useful contributor during his first three years in Pittsburgh, but in 2019, he appeared just once before landing on injured reserve in mid-September. He needs to bounce back to ensure his NFL arrow is pointing upward again.

As for Washington, well, they've been looking for a pair of safeties to rely on for more than a decade now. They're locked in with Landon Collins at one spot, and with Davis being just 26 years old, he looks like an ideal candidate to slide into the other. 

Davis must be healthy, clean up his tackling and handle his coverage duties well, though, for both he and the organization to be happy. If he comes through, expect his next contract to far outweigh the one he's currently on.

CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TALK PODCAST

JP's pick: Fabian Moreau

Cornerbacks can make big money if they prove an ability to stay on the field and cover, and fourth-year Washington CB Fabian Moreau has a real opportunity this fall to show he can do both.

A third-round pick in 2017, Moreau came to Washington with plenty of fanfare from his college days at UCLA. Things haven’t really clicked yet, but the 2020 season presents a chance to take over a starting outside cornerback spot.

For the past few seasons, Moreau has been overshadowed by Josh Norman and Quinton Dunbar, but neither player is in Washington anymore. Moreau has also dealt with injuries. As a rookie, he barely played while working back from a torn pectoral and last year he missed a chunk of time with a hurt ankle. 

BURNING QUESTIONS: WHO WILL BREAK OUT?

Now, in 2020, Moreau needs to show up. 

Washington signed Kendall Fuller this offseason and he will nail down one spot in the secondary while Moreau and Ronald Darby compete to start opposite Fuller. If Moreau can win that job, and then play well on the field after that, he stands to see a major payday next year in free agency.

Stay connected to the team with the MyTeams app. Click here to download for comprehensive coverage of your teams.

MORE WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM NEWS:

• Career Timeline: Guice's tenure in D.C.
• RB Depth: Love, Gibson important with Guice gone
• Burning Questions: Who breaks out in 2020?

Derrius Guice is officially a free agent.

The running back unsurprisingly went unclaimed on waivers after Washington released him on Friday. Guice is now free to sign with any team. 

The 23-year-old was released by Washington on Friday after he was arrested on domestic violence charges. Guice, who had become a fan-favorite during his two-plus years in Washington, has denied all accusations against him, per his attorney. 

Additionally, Guice -- who is usually active on social media -- has deleted both his Instagram and Twitter accounts.

We have released RB Derrius Guice pic.twitter.com/L3mOP8GCIX

— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) August 7, 2020

While a healthy Guice would likely be an upgrade to many backfields across the league, it's unclear if any teams will take a chance signing him

Guice's NFL career thus far has been all potential and little production. While he's shined when on the field, the running back has missed 27 of a possible 32 games due to multiple knee injuries since Washington selected him 59th overall in the 2018 NFL Draft. 

CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TALK PODCAST

Stay connected to the team with the MyTeams app. Click here to download for comprehensive coverage of your teams.

MORE WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM NEWS:

• Career Timeline: Guice's tenure in D.C.
• RB Depth: Love, Gibson important with Guice gone
• Burning Questions: Who breaks out in 2020?