Redskins vs. Giants: Playoffs Be Damned, Washington Must Win This Game

The Washington Redskins are out of playoff contention and on their way towards their seventh losing season in the last 10 years. To make matters worse, they've lost their last two games and eight out of their last nine.

However disheartening this season has become, the Redskins absolutely have to beat the New York Giants come Sunday.

Some fans may bemoan any attempt to win a game for the rest of the season for the sake of draft position. The truth of the matter is, the Redskins could win out the rest of their games and still nab a potential first-round franchise quarterback.

Andrew Luck may be out of reach, but Matt Barkley is more than capable of being Washington's quarterback for the foreseeable future.

Just look at the last two games the Redskins played against the Jets and the Patriots. The scoreboard doesn't tell the story of the Jets game, as Shonn Greene broke through awful tackling on two late possessions to put 14 points on the board. The Redskins had all but come back against New England when Santana Moss tossed a Rex Grossman pass into the waiting arms of Jerod Mayo.

Those are two teams projected for the playoffs that the Redskins probably had no business being so competitive against.

If the Redskins roll over and die, what does it say about the players, the coaches and the franchise? We all know things haven't been the same since Dan Snyder took over, but why play into the stigma? Why not work to change the image of the team and show the league there's still some fight left in the Redskins?

At this point, it shouldn't matter if the Redskins can make the playoffs. The rest of the season is for pride more than anything else.

In the wake of the suspensions of Trent Williams and Fred Davis, the Redskins will be able to really evaluate the talent they have. They have the potential for a great backfield tandem in Roy Helu and Evan Royster, as well as an improving defense that should be ranked closer to the top of the NFL if not for a largely anemic offense.

If not for the rash of injuries that hit following the early bye week, the Redskins could easily have another game or two in the win column.

This week, the Redskins head to the Meadowlands to play the Giants in their second-to-last division game of the season. After enduring a four-game losing streak, New York rebounded with a victory of the Dallas Cowboys that tied the two for the division lead in the NFC East.

The Giants boast the fourth-best passing attack in the NFL, and seventh-best overall offense, but are somehow worse than the Redskins on the ground.

Washington's defense is ranked 11th in total defense, but could be in for a rough day against the Eli Manning, who has thrown for an average of 384 yards over the past three games.

One reason New York isn't currently riding a five-game losing streak into its game with Washington is because of poor game management by the Cowboys last week. Though they are 7-6 and atop the division, the Giants are one Cowboys field goal away from being 6-7 and on their way out of playoff contention.

The Redskins aren't fighting for the playoffs, but could easily spoil the Giants aspirations with a win this week.

The Giants have some good receivers but have not seen their best ground attack in recent weeks. Ahmad Bradshaw was benched last week, and Brandon Jacobs managed an admirable but unimpressive day to go along with his unimpressive season.

Washington's defense hasn't been great against the run, and Jacobs has hounded it in the past.

In terms of the importance of this game, you have to consider the morale of the team and what another loss would mean.

Think about the impact another loss could have on this team. Snyder may find it too difficult to remain silent any longer and toss Mike Shanahan out the door like he did with Jim Zorn two before. London Fletcher is up for a new contract and has said he would like to return to Washington, but is he willing to endure more losing when he could be competing for another ring elsewhere?

Whether fans think so or not, the Redskins absolutely must win this game against the Giants. Success starts in the division, and if the Redskins can't beat their rivals in all-around down years, how can they expect to stand a chance when they've regrouped and restocked?

How much do you think Barry Cofield wants to walk away with a 2-0 record against his former team? Or how much Grossman wants to show that he can recapture the early season form that had Steve Young heaping praise upon him?

At this point in the season, Washington can show off its young running backs, show some new wrinkles in its offense as it did last week with Brandon Banks. Anything to show it hasn't quit, and that the change in culture that everyone raved about to start the season was more than just sunshine being blown up everyone's behinds.