Week 18 Reality Checks: Washington at Giants

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 05: Wide receiver Terry McLaurin #17 of the Washington Football Team high-fives running back Antonio Gibson #24 after he scored a touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders during their game at Allegiant Stadium on December 5, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Washington Football Team defeated the Raiders 17-15. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 05: Wide receiver Terry McLaurin #17 of the Washington Football Team high-fives running back Antonio Gibson #24 after he scored a touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders during their game at Allegiant Stadium on December 5, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Washington Football Team defeated the Raiders 17-15. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MARYLAND – JANUARY 02: Head coach Ron Rivera of the Washington Football Team on the field during warm-ups before the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at FedExField on January 02, 2022 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MARYLAND – JANUARY 02: Head coach Ron Rivera of the Washington Football Team on the field during warm-ups before the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at FedExField on January 02, 2022 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Getty Images) /

1. The Reality Is, Washington needs a win.

Washington has already lost the opportunity to make the most of their season-ending five divisional games.

Being swept by Philly and Dallas is the exact opposite of what Ron Rivera was brought in to do in Washington. And while there were mitigating circumstances in those losses, they could have found a way to win 1 or 2 of those games, and they didn’t do it.

But to close the season having lost five straight to division opponents, to end the season with a loss to a woeful Giants team, to end the season letting a third rival punk you? That can’t happen if this franchise is going to make the kind of progress the DMV is owed by Daniel Snyder and his team.

Washington needs some momentum. Washington needs something to build on. Washington needs to have a little pride and shut Joe Judge up. And for all his faults and losing seasons, Ron Rivera does still seem to have his team thinking the right way, so I think they’ll get it done. Look for Washington to pull of a 28-12 win against the hapless Giants.