All I Want For Christmas Is a Falcons Loss, a Cowboys Loss, and Some 'Skins Wins

The Redskins could have controlled there own destiny, but they lost to the Steelers, then the Cowboys, then the Giants, and then the Ravens. Once sitting pretty at 6-2, the Redskins are now 7-6, praying for help to make the postseason.

The offense has turned in about a month and a half's worth of listless performances. Clinton Portis is venting while Jason Campbell is telling his team to "believe." Jim Zorn is looking perplexed and London Fletcher is calling players-only meetings. Things are not good in DC.

However, there is hope on the horizon. The 'Skins travel to Cincinnati this week to take on the 1-11-1 Bengals. Meanwhile the two teams that need to lose are playing two powerhouses.

Atlanta, sitting at 8-6, is playing Tampa Bay who needs to maintain its hold on the fifth seed in the playoffs. Dallas, also 8-6, is playing the New York Football Giants who are suddenly feeling from the pressure from a surging Carolina team.

Hopefully, after a drama-filled week, the 'Skins will feed off the emotion and take care of business against the Bengals. There is no reason why the Skins can't put a good old-fashioned drubbing on the hapless Bungles.

Injuries will be the main question. Jon Jansen and Chris Horton will most likely miss the game along with Chris Samuels and Marcus Washington. Cornelius Griffin and Shawn Springs could suit up, but their status is uncertain.

The injuries along the O-line will give Jason Fabini and Chad Rinehart some playing time. I am very intrigued at the prospect of seeing Rinehart play. He was my favorite pick of the this year's draft.

The Bengals really only possess one threat. T.J. Houshmandzadeh leads the league in targets and is third in catches with 89. The 'Skins should look to shut him by shifting a safety towards him at all times.

This is a game the 'Skins should win and win handily. It is a must-win as every game from here on out is. The offense needs to get some consistency going into a tough Philly game next week. This is make or break.

If the 'Skins win they could be right back in the running. Atlanta is hosting its game against the Bucs so it will be a tough competitive matchup. The Bucs are coming off a game where they had no answers for the run, which does not bode well against Michael Turner.

However, Jeff Garcia has protected the football all season, and the game should be tightly contested. Here in DC we love the Bucs this week.

Then we come to the Cowboys. They need to lose. The Giants have tons to play for now that Carolina is a game back. The Giants have been focused all year so don't think the Cowboys will just waltz in and hand the Giants a two game losing streak.

Tony Romo again proved last week that the offense doesn't operate well under him when there's pressure. He tossed a pick (sure it was Jason Witten's fault, but please the throw was awful) and looked clueless on the following drive. The Boys haven't played well in December under Romo and how will that change against the mighty Giants.

It's the season of giving, but you know someone has to receive. Let's just hope the 'Skins are the ones receiving a playoff berth come New Year's.