Redskins Reality Checks: The future is looking murky
By Tim Payne
6. Reality Is, the Redskins very well might be better off losing this game on Sunday.
The odds are stacked against the Redskins making any type of playoff push this season. So, since that is the case, it is legitimate to consider if the long-term health of the organization is better served by improving draft odds than by winning a couple of meaningless games in December.
Generally, I don’t believe in tanking until you’re mathematically eliminated from playoff contention. I especially don’t believe in it when there aren’t a handful of consensus first-round graded quarterbacks available. However, given the awful injury sustained by Alex Smith and the cap ramifications of that injury, it is going to be essential that the team maximize draft value and keep payroll down by keeping a bunch of rookies who outperform veterans this offseason.
Prediction: Because I think it’s in the team’s best interest to let themselves slide from the upper teens down into the top-10 by losing the last four games of the season, I think they will somehow manage to keep this game close and interesting. Giants 21, Redskins 18. Giants win on a walk-off kick by Rosas.
Personally, I’ll be cheering like crazy for a miracle run to the playoffs and for Colt to get back in time to lead the Redskins to a win against Chicago or Dallas in the first round. I just don’t think it’s too likely. But I’ll be here regardless, hoping for the best and fearing (and almost expecting) the worst, like the good Redskins fan that I am.
Join the conversation on Twitter @TheRealityIs__, or in the comments section below. #HTTR