Washington Football Team: Three takeaways from playoff-clinching win

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 03: Quarterback Alex Smith #11 of the Washington Football Team walks off the field after winning 20-14 over the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on January 03, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 03: Quarterback Alex Smith #11 of the Washington Football Team walks off the field after winning 20-14 over the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on January 03, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JANUARY 03: Quarterback Alex Smith #11 of the Washington Football Team walks off the field after winning 20-14 over the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on January 03, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JANUARY 03: Quarterback Alex Smith #11 of the Washington Football Team walks off the field after winning 20-14 over the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on January 03, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

The day is January 4th, 2021. The Washington Football Team is 7-9, and has won the NFC East.

No, you’re not dreaming. No, this isn’t a look-into-the-future article. This is now. Monday, after the final week of the regular season. The Washington Football Team beat the Eagles 20-14, and they’re now the division champions, locked in as the four-seed.

In a year marred by quarterback controversy, ownership issues, and cancer — as if the first two weren’t bad enough — the Washington Football Team and first-year head coach Ron Rivera managed to persevere and win the NFC East title. They had some help along the way, mainly from a bad NFC East. But this young team showed it could win and make the most of its circumstances. For Rivera in Year 1, with this roster, that’s a big accomplishment.

Now, the focus turns to the five-seed Tampa Bay Buccaneers, whom the Washington Football Team will play in the super wild card round next weekend. But before we move on, let’s reflect one last time, on the game and the season that sealed Washington’s ascension.