Redskins Game Thread: NFL Week 14 vs. Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers, sitting at 6-6, are just one game ahead of the Redskins in the NFL standings. But they’re far more talented than their record suggests.

In a sense, the Redskins and the Chargers are not so different. After all, many analysts pegged the Redskins as a top ten team before injuries tore apart their season. It seems so, so long ago that the Redskins were a favorite to at least notch a wild card berth. But much changes over the course of a mere seventeen week season.

Now, Washington, once one of the most feared teams in the hunt, are now 5-7, and their playoff hopes are all but gone. They’re not yet eliminated, but in a strong conference, 10-6 may not even be enough to make it to the postseason. That ship has long departed, and the Redskins failed to climb aboard.

Now, with their chances gone and their resolve fleeting, it’s worth asking what Washington has to play for at this point. What motivation do they have to win? To prove the doubters wrong when the doubters have already won?

No matter the spoils, there’s always shame in losing. It’s the competitive nature of sports itself that drives the worst teams forward, and keeps the champions above all others. The Redskins, for years, have been stuck in the middle, clawing at the chains, striving to break free and become the contender that has seemed so close to appearing in its most brilliant form.

That contender won’t come in 2017. But the Redskins can still fight like one. And on Sunday, against the Chargers, they have a chance to regain their lost respect. The Chargers, albeit 6-6, are widely regarded as one of the league’s most talented teams. They have all the pieces in place to be the competitor in 2017 that Washington once sought to become. A win today would do no good for the Redskins in the playoff race. But it would restore the honor that’s been lost.

Next: 3 keys to victory for the Washington Redskins in Week 14

Such a quest incites discussion. During the game, we encourage you to share your thoughts on the Washington Redskins, how they play, how they look, where they might be headed, and so much more. Come, and give us your insight in the comments below!