1:03
There’s plenty to play for on the NFL’s final Sunday of the regular season, with the Browns, Rams, Cardinals and Washington all in live action on Sky Sports as they try to secure their place in the playoffs. .
–
—
–
–
There’s plenty to play for on the NFL’s final Sunday of the regular season, with the Browns, Rams, Cardinals and Washington all in live action on Sky Sports as they try to secure their place in the playoffs. .
–
The third-ranked New York Giants, 5-10, can still clinch the NFC East title in the final week of the regular season, which should tell you everything you need to know about football’s worst division.
One of the Giants, Washington or Dallas Cowboys, will make NFL history this season as the first team to make the playoffs after starting the year 2-7.
Washington will seal its first place in the playoffs since 2015 with a win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, with enough tie if the Giants beat the Cowboys.
The Giants can make the playoffs with a win over the Cowboys with a loss in Washington, while the Cowboys advance with a win over New York alongside a loss or a tie in Washington, or a tie with the Giants and a loss to Washington.
NFC East Ranking
| Team | W | L | T | PCT |
| Washington | 6 | 9 | 0 | .400 |
| Cowboys de Dallas | 6 | 9 | 0 | .400 |
| New York Giants | 5 | dix | 0 | 0,333 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 4 | dix | 1 | .300 |
–
–
–
Rather than being the non-entity of the NFL, the situation in the NFC East again raises questions about the league’s playoff setup, with the division winner securing a home playoff game against a potential team. of 10 wins. It’s a loophole in the system, but it’s probably a conversation for a later date.
––
Washington football quarterback Alex Smith. (AP Photo / Rick Scuteri)
–
All of Washington’s positive long-range expectations heading into the season revolved around a defense displaying some of the best individual talent in the league. While it was relatively slow in coming, Jack Del Rio’s unit started to justify the hype in the second half of the season.
Production has come in from everywhere, 2019 first-round passing defenseman Montez Sweat leading the way with eight sacks, 13 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and six pass defenses, followed by the second overall pick of 2020 Chase Young with 6.5 sacks, 11.5 tackles for a loss, four forced fumbles, two of which recovered and one returned for a touchdown.
They unearthed a key contributor in 2019, fifth-round linebacker Cole Holcomb (65 tackles, 2.5 sacks), led in high school by Kendall Fuller (four interceptions, 10 pass defenses) and took advantage of 10.5 sacks between. Ryan Kerrigan and Tim Settle for third against the pass and fourth in total defense.
Slow starts have been a common problem, however, with Washington trailing behind in double digits in 11 out of 15 games.
A four-game winning streak in November and December, including wins over the Pittsburgh Steelers and San Francisco 49ers, showcased this team’s best as it only allowed a total of six total touchdowns ( after allowing 18 in the first six weeks), as well as limiting three consecutive opponents to 70 yards or under the run.
At that point, Smith, while not quite lighting up the secondaries with the deep ball, injected some much-needed fluidity and attacking confidence after taking over from injured Kyle Allen against the Los Rams. Angeles in the fifth week.
1h30 –
—
–
–
Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher are back to make their predictions for Week 17 in the NFL, with the goal of defeating two-time Super Bowl-winning coach Rob Ryan – once again!
–
Rookie third-round running back Antonio Gibson improved his reputation with a performance of 115 yards and three touchdowns in the outstanding Thanksgiving Day Cowboys loss, only to be stopped by a toe injury against the Steelers. next week.
Smith has missed the last two games with injury, with Washington squandering a chance to win the division in his absence with their Week 16 loss to the Carolina Panthers behind Dwayne Haskins since his exit.
While a quick start to the defense was needed on Sunday, so were the mere availability of Smith, Gibson and wide receiver Terry McLaurin, who also treated an ankle problem.
Cowboys de Dallas (2e, 6-9)
––
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Andy Dalto. (AP Photo / Ron Jenkins)
–
This season has promised so much for the Cowboys, whose depth of talent has given them the luxury of using the 17th overall pick on Oklahoma wide receiver CeeDee Lamb to further arm a Dak Prescott for a huge 2021 contract.
End of season offensive tackle injuries Tyron Smith and La’el Collins and guard Zack Martin made a decimated offensive line, Blake Jarwin’s tight season was over after week one and linebacker Sean Lee missed the first two month of the season.
Dak’s downfall for the year has been a big blow, but it has been far from the Cowboys’ biggest issue, with the still grossly underrated Andy Dalton doing a respectable job behind some scratched up protection.
Dallas has recorded the fourth-most 25 giveaways so far this season, including 13 fumbles and 12 interceptions tied for second.
Right now, Mike Nolan’s defense can’t stop anyone. The Cowboys are currently ranked 26th overall, 11th against the pass, last against the race and 30th overall. Almost all of the pressure on the quarterback came from DeMarcus Lawrence and Aldon Smith in his first season since 2015, while linebacker duo Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch, famed among the best in the NFL, lay down red for ball carriers.
And yet, Dallas hit some sort of stride just in time to stay in the running, on a three-game winning run that recently saw a hugely disappointing 2020 Ezekiel Elliott register just his second 100-yard game of the season and Michael Gallup and Amari. Cooper both go for over 100 yards in the 37-17 victory over the Eagles.
Lamb also led the team with five catches for 85 yards in the win over the 49ers the week before, alongside a two touchdown outing from Tony Pollard in Zeke’s absence.
And that’s where the frustration lies. All these playmakers, all this talent, but with little to show for it.
Giants de New York (3e, 5-10)
––
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry. (AP Photo / Stephen Brashear)
–
Full performances were rare for a Giants outfit that so often relied on the exceptional defense and especially on the shorthanded Patrick Graham.
In a limited success tenure, general manager Dave Gettleman deserves huge credit for hitting on two free agency additions in cornerback James Bradberry and linebacker Blake Martinez, who earned every penny.
Veteran Logan Ryan has also proven himself to be an inspired pickup when it comes to safety, while Leonard Williams, who was part of that dazzling trade with the New York Jets last season, is in the middle of a year of career with 8.5 bags.
The Giants are currently ranked 13th overall in defense, 16th against the pass, 11th against the run and 10th in scoring, having dipped slightly in the middle of a three-game losing streak.
First-year head coach Joe Judge has this team playing harder than Giants fans will ever remember seeing under Pat Shurmur, and certainly in the later stages of Ben McAdoo’s time.
He’s also entitled to think his team should be better off than 6-9, having conceded a late field goal to the Cowboys in October, before losing one point to the Eagles and just two points to the Tampa Buccaneers. Bay.
In attack, Daniel Jones’ lack of progress in decision making and ball safety has been disappointing, although the lack of invention on the part of offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, as well as costly crashes and l inability of receivers to create separation at times.
The Giants are ranked 31st in total offense, 29th in assists, 20th in runs and 31st in points, with a second-worst efficiency in the league’s red zone.
Jones was sacked a fourth plus 43 times behind an offensive line that held promise from rookies Andrew Thomas, Shane Lemieux and Matt Peart, but lacked consistency throughout.
Although pass protection was lacking, a dramatically improved stroke block was exploited by the excellent Wayne Gallman, who took his chance to impress in the absence of injured Saquon Barkley and the free agent pickup. Devonta Freeman with 617 rushing yards for six touchdowns. 136 door.
Between Gallman, Jones, Alfred Morris and Dion Lewis, expect the Giants to pound the rock against a Cowboys defense allowing a maximum of 161.1 rushing yards per game.
Sky Sports NFL is your dedicated channel for NFL coverage throughout the season – with a host of NFL Network programming, a new weekly preview show as well as at least five games a week and NFL Redzone, you won’t miss a moment. Don’t forget to follow us on skysports.com/nfl, our Twitter account @SkySportsNFL & Sky Sports – on the go!
–
.
