We are the NFC EAST Division Champions, baby! And it feels damn good to say that.
There was some controversy in this game when Jalen Hurts was benched in the 4th quarter over third-stringer Nate Sudfeld, who played in Washington many years ago; I think he was in the practice squad….. In any case, we beat the Philadelphia Eagles — regardless of who they put out there to play Quarterback for them. You play whoever is out there playing against you — is that simple, and there should be nothing else to say about it.
I don’t care that we clinched the division with a 7-9 record. What matters most is that we earned this division title the hard way. The fact remains that this Washington team is better than the rest of the other NFC East teams. Look, I get the criticism regarding our record, and I get that we got swept by the NY Giants this season, but those two games were close, and come next season, things will be different when we play them again — I feel like we are poised to become the dominant team in our division for years to come.
The Giants can cry all they want about Doug Pederson benching Jalen Hurts over their 3rd string QB; at the end of the day, the lame-ass New York Giants did not control their own destiny, and they needed help to clinch. And on the other hand, Washington did what it was supposed to do, which was to win, and we did not require any help from other teams to earn a playoff spot.
This whole season has been full of emotions and headlines. The story behind Ron Rivera battling cancer during the season was compelling. Plus, all the issues Rivera had to deal with regarding the changing of the name, all the Covid protocols to implement, the Dwayne Haskins mess, and the insane ownership drama casting a dark shadow over the team. The way Coach Rivera dealt with everything was indicative of the type of leadership he has brought to this franchise.
And on top of it all, the story of Alex Smith almost losing his life and pulling this remarkable comeback is like something written for a Hollywood movie.
All things considered, this 2020 season was a success.
Now, our complete focus should be on the playoffs and on beating Tampa Bay. Our defense will challenge Tom Brady — the rush will be coming hard and often. This game will not be easy for either team, but we should be in good shape to make some post-season noise.
Bring on Tom Brady!!!
WFT 20 — EAGLES 14:
And for the rest of the league…..
NY GIANTS 23 — DALLAS 19:
The delusional Cowboys thought they actually had a shot of winning the division by winning this game. The reality is that Dallas is a disaster of a team, and they will be much worse next season.
The Giants struggled to win this game, but even at 6-10 for the season, they did not deserve to go to the playoffs.
SEAHAWKS 26 — 49ERS 23:
Seattle finished the season at 12-4 and with the 3rd seed in the NFC playoffs. Next, they take on the Rams in the wildcard round. These two same division rivals split their two divisional games of the season. Advantage, Seattle Seahawks.
San Francisco finished the season at 6-10 and in last place of the NFC WEST. San Francisco has many roster issues to figure out in the off-season, but I think figuring out if Jimmy G is their answer at Quarterback should be their top priority. I still feel that Garoppolo is not the answer.
RAMS 18 — CARDINALS 7:
The LA Rams finished the season at 10-6 and with the 6th spot in the NFC playoffs, and they take on Seattle in the wild card round. Their defense is dominant and should make things difficult for Russell Wilson, but who will play Quarterback for the Rams is the x-factor here. John Wolford looked pretty dynamic, replacing Jared Goff. The Rams might have a Quarterback controversy brewing here. Advantage, Seattle Seahawks.
The Cardinals were looking like a playoff team until Kyler Murray got banged up. They should be considered contenders in 2021.
CHARGERS 38 — CHIEFS 21:
The Chiefs rested their starters for this meaningless game. They have home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs and will play the lowest seed winner of the wild card round.
The LA Chargers fired their Head Coach Anthony Lynn after four years. Although, he managed to win four games in a row to finish the season respectfully. But it wasn’t enough to save his job. The silver lining here is that the Chargers seem to have found their Quarterback of the future with Justin Hebert. Also, LA has a stud running back in Austin Ekeler and a couple of talented wide receivers. All those things should make this Head Coaching opening one of the most attractive in the NFL.
RAIDERS 32 — BRONCOS 31:
The Raiders and Broncos had nothing to play for in this game. The Vegas Raiders were already eliminated from the playoff hunt weeks ago, and they were looking to finish up the season on a positive note at 8-8 for the year. Jon Gruden has many things to address in the offseason, most notably Derek Carr’s future as a Raider.
Denver has been a disaster for a few years now under John Elway as GM. The good thing is that they will finally hire a General Manager to oversee football operations and put together a decent Draft in 2021. Finding a franchise Quarterback should be their top priority.
SAINTS 33 — PANTHERS 7:
New Orleans clinched the number 2 spot in the NFC playoffs and will take on a Chicago team coming into the playoffs limping. Advantage, New Orleans Saints.
The Panthers finished the season at 5-11 and hoping for 2021 to have a healthy Christian McCaffrey for the whole season and look for a franchise Quarterback to build their franchise around.
BUCCANEERS 44 — FALCONS 27:
Tom Brady and company secured the number 5th spot in the NFC and will take on my Washington Football team. Tampa Bay is the favorite here, but My WFT will bring the heat to Brady. I predict a low-scoring game. Advantage, Washington Football Team.
The Falcons will be in the market for a new Head Coach, and I think Raheem Morris should be seriously considered for the permanent job. But at 4-11 for the season, there is a good chance Atlanta might go in a different direction.
PACKERS 35 — BEARS 16:
The Packers were hell-bent on securing the number 1 seed in the NFC, and the score proves it. Green Bay now has a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs.
Chicago backed into the playoffs with help from the LA Rams. The Bears will take on New Orleans in their first post-season game. But I think Chicago will be one and done in the playoffs. Advantage, New Orleans Saints.
VIKINGS 37 — LIONS 35:
The Vikings were the most disappointing team this season. They finished at 7-9 and blew multiple chances to keep themselves alive in the playoff hunt. Their offseason should be focused on upgrading their offensive line protect Kirk cousins, who has shown capable of putting up big numbers. Their defense was a disaster all season, and it needs an immediate upgrade as well. Minnesota needs to do whatever they can to keep Gary Kubiak from retiring.
The Lions finished the season at 5-11 and looking for a new Head Coach and a new GM. Also, Matthew Stafford might become available in the offseason.
BILLS 56 — DOLPHINS 14:
The Bills are rolling into the playoffs red hot and look like a very dangerous team to go up against. They finished the season at 13-3 and with the AFC EAST Division title. Buffalo will take on the Colts in the wild card round. Advantage, Buffalo Bills.
The Dolphins had a chance to clinch a playoff spot by winning this game, and instead, they got blown out. The silver lining here is that Miami finished the season at 10-6 and seems to be the second-best team in the AFC EAST and with many pieces in place to give Buffalo a run for their money in years to come.
PATRIOTS 28 — NY JETS 14:
This game was the bottom feeder bowl. New England has a lot of things to figure out in the offseason. Belicheater will be under heavy pressure to bounce back after a disaster of a season. If the Patriots do not have another winning season in 2021, there will be a new Head Coach in New England in 2022.
The NY Jets fired Adam Gase, and they are back in a familiar spot, looking for a new Head Coach. Sam Darnold’s future is also in question.
BROWNS 24 — STEELERS 22:
The Browns are back in the playoffs since 2002 and will rematch Pittsburg in the wild card round. The Steelers should be at full strength for their playoff game, and Cleveland is coming in limping with some Covid related absences, including their Head Coach Kevin Stefanski. Advantage, Pittsburgh Steelers.
RAVENS 38 — BENGALS 3:
Ravens destroyed Cincinnati to clinch the 5th spot in the AFC, and they will take on Indianapolis in the wild card round. Advantage, Baltimore Ravens.
The Bengals finished the last 6 weeks of the season without Joe Burrow, who played at a high level before getting injured against my Washington Football team and was lost for the season. Cincinnati seems to be on the verge of contending in the AFC North, a division that includes Baker Mayfield, Lamar Jackson, and the veteran Big Ben. This entire division should be extremely competitive, come next season.
COLTS 28 — JAGUARS 14:
The Colts clinched the 7th spot in AFC by beating Jacksonville and getting help from Miami by losing to Buffalo. Ironically enough, Indianapolis will take on Buffalo in the wild card round. Advantage, Buffalo Bills
Jacksonville finished the season as the worst team in the NFL at 1-15 and with the number one overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Trevor Lawrence should be their no-brainer pick, but many things can happen between now and Draft day. Doug Marrone was also fired, and Urban Meyer’s name has been floating around as a possible replacement.
TITANS 41 — TEXANS 38:
The Titans struggled to pull this victory and clinch the AFC SOUTH Title. Derrick Henry looked unstoppable in this game, and with Tennessee taking on Baltimore in the wild card round, they will need another dominant game from Henry. Advantage, Tennessee Titans.
The Texans finished up an extremely disappointing season at 4-12. No doubt most of the organizational damage was caused by Bill O’Brien, who was fired early in the season. Houston has hired a new GM, and the Head Coaching hunt should be their top priority heading into the off-season. The Texans have a uniquely talented Quarterback in Deshaun Watson, and their entire focus should be on building a competitive team around him.
Rod Rioja 