The NFC East is not a pretty picture, mind you, but there is one team that does actually seem to want to win it, despite the 6-7 record. As of now, the Washington Redskins, led by Kirk Cousins, are in complete control of their playoff chances, as they came away with a clutch win over the Chicago Bears, 24-21.
Today, the Redskins reminded people of what can happen when they play a complete team game. Granted, Cousins did shoot himself in the foot nearly by throwing that late-game interception. But other than that, Cousins and the offense was able to put together long drives that ended in touchdowns against a surprisingly stingy Bears defense.
All season long, that's been an inconsistency for the Redskins. The defense has been average -- decent enough to make games competitive. If the Redskins want to stay at the top of the division, though, the offense needs to play like it did today.
Washington was able to score in each quarter, including touchdown drives to start each half. The Redskins opened the half with a 15-play, 80-yard possession that took 8:30 off the clock and resulted in an Alfred Morris one-yard run. Starting the game that way set the tone for the rest of the contest. For the entire rest of the first half -- other than the final two-minute drill in which the Bears finally scored -- Chicago was off balance as the defense was tired and the offense couldn't get into a rhythm. Add in the fact that Washington got the running game going, which has been easier said than done this season, and it gave the team a recipe for success.
The main question is, can they replicate what they did today in their final three games?
A home game against the Buffalo Bills starts that stretch, but they end it with two divisional games on the road against the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys.
Honestly, that's not a daunting schedule. But for the Redskins, it may be. Until today, they had not won a game on the road. Now 1-5, they have to prove they can win at least one more game on the road -- against Philly, who are also 6-7 after winning today -- if they're going to make it into the playoffs. That's a tall task for the Redskins, and it'll come down to controlling the ball on offense and grinding out possessions.
If they can't do that, chances are they will fail. That said, Kirk Cousins has surprised us already this season. Maybe he can do it again.
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