Despite the 2020 NFC East being the worst division in all of football, it might the most interesting playoff race in the last week of the regular season. The Washington Football Team, Dallas Cowboys, and New York Giants are in a three-team race for the 2020 NFC East championship. The Cowboys will face the Giants, so both teams will have their destiny put in front of them Sunday, that is depending on what Washington does against the Philadelphia Eagles.
This division has been weak all season as the winner with either have six or seven wins and home-field advantage for at least the first playoff game. There are many playoff races and seeding scenarios taking place Sunday and this might be the best of them all.
The Road To Victory In The 2020 NFC East Division
Washington
Going into Week 17, the Washington Football Team and the Cowboys are tied atop of the NFC East at 6-9. Due to the sweep of the Cowboys, Washington holds the tiebreaker and holds first place in the division. Their road to the playoffs is very simple. With a win on Sunday, they would win the NFC East. If they lose, they’re out because Dallas and New York face each other. Washington faces fellow division rival, the Eagles.
Philadelphia had a chance to stay in the division race but fell on their face last week against the Cowboys. Even with the loss last week, quarterback Jalen Hurts has given this Eagles team a boost in their play. This game will not be easy as a spoiler game will heavily be in play.
Washington had a chance to seal up the NFC East last week but fell apart against the Carolina Panthers. Alex Smith was out which forced them to play Dwayne Haskins, who they just released. Taylor Heinicke finished the rest of the game after they bench Haskins and he fought hard. If Smith can’t play, Heinicke will start but everyone hopes Smith can play after he was seen throwing the ball around. The Eagles will lay everything they have on the field so Washington will be on their heels.
Cowboys
The road to the playoffs for the Cowboys isn’t as simple as a win. They do have to get a win but they also need a Washington loss against the Eagles. The Cowboys will also have the face a division rival but one who is fighting for the same thing. The Giants will play host to the Cowboys in what will be an all-out war.
Dallas rose to the challenge last week and took it to the Eagles. Andy Dalton threw for 377 yards and three touchdowns with Michael Gallup and Amari Cooper catching 121 of them yards apiece while Ezekiel Elliott ran for 105 yards. For the first time all season, they’re on a winning streak (three games) and it has come at the right time.
Giants
The Giants will face the same stipulation as the Cowboys and that’s a win and a Washington loss earns you the NFC East victory. New York is only one game behind both the Cowboys and Washington. The Giants swept Washington earlier this season so that means the Giants have the tiebreaker.
If the Giants would’ve won against the Baltimore Ravens last week, they would’ve taken over first place and controlled their destiny but they didn’t so now they need help from the Eagles. Daniel Jones only threw a touchdown last week after missing Week 15. He needs to have a huge game if the Giants want to win. The Cowboys are also fighting for the East so it will not be easy at all.
Final Drive
Despite the intrigue on Sunday in the NFC East, no one is happy about seeing one of these three teams make the playoffs over a better team. All of these teams have played bad football most of the year in the weakest division in the league. Nonetheless, one of these teams will make it and host a home playoff game against the top wild card team. Overall, it’ll be one of the most interesting Week 17’s in NFL history and we can’t wait until Sunday to see who’s in and who’s out.
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