Four victories in a row have given Washington absolute control of its destiny heading into the postseason. But in a tight group of hopefuls in the National Conference, a misstep at this point in the calendar could prove fatal to their aspirations.
A Cowboys (8-4) looking to return to the playoffs after a two-year absence would gladly get their foot in a divisional rival. His chance will be Sunday at Washington’s home (6-6).
The Washington Football Team simply has no margin for error, although they have won their last four games of the season and the last two in their particular series against Dallas, they have six other teams less than a game away in the fight for the Last two NFC spots to be awarded a playoff berth.
Ironically for Washington, the transformation occurred once they lost last season’s Defensive Rookie of the Year, Chase Young, in the first half of their win over Tampa Bay.
From that moment on, it was precisely Washington’s defense that recovered its form from the previous season (the fourth best in the NFL) and has allowed just 17.5 points in each of its last four victories, after admitting to the minus 29 in five of his first six games.
Now they will have the opportunity to ratify their good moment against a Cowboys who boast the second best attack in points and the best in yards in the entire NFL. Despite being plagued with some recent inconsistencies, Dallas’ offense also has the tools and motivation to get out of the pothole it is going through.
Dallas is looking to leave behind a November in which they finished 1-3, weighed down by the inconsistencies of quarterback Dak Prescott. Basing their second victory in December would be an important step towards the postseason.
“We’re not doing things right, and they (defense) keep coming out and giving us the ball back,” said Prescott, who last Thursday against the Saints missed 70% of completions for the fourth time in five games.
Prescott was referring to a defense that leads the NFL in interceptions at the hands of cornerback Trevon Diggs (9), who has stolen at least two balls in nine games this year, including four last Thursday. A unit that allows 18.8 points per game in Dallas’ eight victories and 29 units in each of its four losses.
Washington must be careful to the extreme, particularly when it does not have an explosive attack. They have surpassed 30 points in just two games this year.
The good news is that quarterback Taylor Heinicke has at least 100 rating points in three of his last four games, in which he has thrown seven touchdown passes for just two interceptions.
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BILLS (7-5) at TAMPA BAY (9-3)
After losing a game in which the opponent threw just three passes in the middle of a heavy blizzard, a result that plunged them to seventh place in the AFC postseason fight, a trip to Florida could seem like good news for the Bills. from Buffalo.
It is not.
There an old acquaintance named Tom Brady awaits them, whose hobbies are winning Super Bowls and starring in the Bills’ nightmares. The 44-year-old quarterback has Buffalo as his favorite client with 32 wins in 35 games, including the last seven.
The Bills, who reached the prelude to the Super Bowl last January, are trying to get out of the recent bad moment in which they have alternated wins and losses in their last eight games. For this they require an attack that is fifth in the NFL with 28 points per game.
But, as the Bills have witnessed for two decades, that might not be enough against Brady. The Bucs, reigning Super Bowl champions, are on a three-game winning streak with the best offense in the NFL, a unit that averages 31.4 points per game.
On paper, paint for a spectacular, offensive vertical offensive duel. But Buffalo hasn’t been the points machine that many expected of them, as shown by the fact that they averaged 15.6 points in each of their five losses this year.
Tampa Bay requires a win and losses from the Saints (to the Jets) and the Panthers (to the Falcons) to clinch the NFC Southern Division title for the first time since 2007.
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THE REST OF THE ACTION
Week 14 begins on Thursday with a duel between two teams seeking to stay on track for the playoffs in their respective conferences. The Steelers (6-5-1) look for their second win in a row when they visit Minnesota (5-7).
The action continues Sunday with the following matches: Falcons (5-7) at Carolina (5-7); Ravens (8-4) at Cleveland (6-6); Seattle (4-8) at Houston (2-10); Raiders (6-6) at Kansas City (8-4); Saints (5-7) at NY Jets (3-9); Jaguars (2-10) at Tennessee (8-4); Lions (1-10-1) at Denver (6-6); Giants (4-8) at LA Chargers (7-5); 49ers (6-6) at Cincinnati (7-5); and Bears (4-8) at Green Bay (9-3).
The day concludes Monday with the visit of the Rams (8-4) to the Cardinals (10-2), who need a win to become the first invited guest to the postseason.
Colts (7-6), Dolphins (6-7), Eagles (6-7) and Patriots (9-4) have their bye week.
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HEADING TO PLAYOFFS.
Arizona can secure its place in the postseason with a win.
The Packers and Buccaneers can also seal their playoff spot this week, but they need wins and a combination of other results.
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Associated Press reporter Schyler Dixon contributed to this report from Dallas.
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Dallas seeks to slow down Washington and establish itself at the top