DeSean Jackson Can Earn Ultimate Revenge with Big Week 16 vs. Eagles

There's an old saying, "Misery loves company."

Well, it's certainly been a miserable 2014 season in the nation's capital, but Washington wide receiver DeSean Jackson has a golden opportunity to give himself an early Christmas present by spreading that misery to his former teammates.

The Philadelphia Eagles travel to D.C. this week with a great deal on the line. After dropping two straight (including a Sunday night loss to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 15), the Eagles have fallen from first place in the NFC East to the outside looking in on the NFC.

In fact, there's now a very real chance that even if the Eagles win out, 11-5 won't be good enough for anything other than a case of Rice-A-Roni (the San Francisco treat) and a hearty "see you next season."

Of course, Eagles head coach Chip Kelly told ESPN's Phil Sheridan that he isn't looking that far ahead:

"

Right now, we've only got nine wins. I mean, for us to think of questions like that, that doesn't help us beat Washington. So I don't really think about it. If we win 11 games and it's not good enough to get in, shame on us because we didn't win the right games. That’s the bottom line. That's what this whole deal is all about and we know it going in.

"

That's wise, because if the Eagles fall at Washington Saturday afternoon, it's over. They're cooked. Bust out the 11 secret herbs and spices.

(Hey, you never know. If Ben Franklin had gotten his wish and the turkey had been named America's national bird, we might be having eagle for Christmas dinner.)

Sorry about that. I'm hungry.

Where were we? Oh yeah. Toasted Eagles.

The Eagles were very nearly clipped by Washington in a wild 37-34 game back in Week 3. Jackson was a big part of a huge game from quarterback Kirk Cousins in the loss, reeling in five catches for 117 yards, including an 81-yard touchdown that ended with a touch of mockery.

After that game, Jackson downplayed any animosity toward his former team while speaking with The Associated Press (via NFL.com).

"Honestly, it's a new time. It's a new era," Jackson said. "I don't see them worrying about me, and I don't worry about them. I'm happy where I'm at."

The 28-year-old, who signed a three-year, $24 million free-agent deal with Washington after being released by the Eagles last spring, echoed a similar refrain earlier this week while talking to Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer:

"

Nope. I don't miss the team. I don't miss the organization. There's no point in living in the past. This is my team. This is where I am for better or worse. Do you live in the past? It's no way to live.

"

Of course, when asked about his departure from Philly, Jackson then added, "Didn't you hear? I'm a gangster. I'm in a gang. That's why I'm gone."

Jackson was supposedly joking, as was former teammate LeSean McCoy when he offered an impression of Jackson on Instagram:

Through it all, though, there's an awkwardness, an uneasy undercurrent. Like they're trying too hard to play nice and ignore what happened back in March.

Jackson's release came complete with what many viewed as a hit piece, alleging that the Eagles released Jackson due to "gang ties." There were denials all around, an investigation by the NFLPA and plenty of ruffled feathers.

Thought I was done with the bird gags, huh?

It was a messy split for both sides, and it doesn't take Dr. Phil to figure out that neither the Eagles nor Jackson has forgotten it.

The Eagles have more important problems of course, but for the 3-11 Redskins, just this and a Week 17 home tilt with the Cowboys remains. Two chances to play the Grinch with wings, swooping in to snatch away their postseason dreams.

OK, that was the last one. I promise.

There are differences between this game and Week 3, of course. Cousins, who replaced Robert Griffin at quarterback, was replaced by Colt McCoy, who got hurt and was replaced by Griffin.

It's been that kind of year in Washington.

What hasn't changed is Philly's pass defense. Well, that's not entirely fair. After ranking dead last in the NFL in 2013 against the pass, the Eagles have soared all the way to 28th in 2014.

OK, that was it.

So Jackson will have his chances to be the Grinch. And this time, no matter how much DeSean Jackson might say that this game is just like any other, if the Grinch steals Christmas...

You can forget about him giving it back.

Gary Davenport is an NFL Analyst at Bleacher Report and a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association and the Pro Football Writers of America. You can follow Gary on Twitter @IDPManor.