After the New York Giants’ embarrassing loss to a struggling Cardinals team on Sunday, one meme that I saw going around the Giants fan’s internet universe was the picture of the Townie from the Waterboy saying, “Oh no, we suck again.” While funny, it dismisses a reality about the 5-8 team that many fans don’t seem to understand: they still suck. They were bad before the game against Seattle, and they are bad after the game against Seattle. Nothing changed.
The same goes for Washington, who, while currently on a win streak and in the driver’s seat to win the division, is a clearly incomplete team. Their defense is very good, sporting probably the best defensive line in football, yet their offense has clear holes. The Eagles and Cowboys both won on Sunday, yet there are clear signs on and off the field that their problems are not a one-year ordeal. Winning in the NFL is hard, and it should be commended, but each team at the end of the year needs to look at themselves and realize one crucial fact, regardless of whether or not they win the division this year: They’re not a good team.
The Washington Football Team (Please get a new name for 2021) came into the season with high hopes of being able to land Trevor Lawrence in next year’s draft. Nobody really thought they were going to be able to hit five wins this year, let alone win the division. The talent on the defensive side of the ball was evident, but their QB situation detracted people from seeing a viable winner, and rightfully so. However, many pieces have come together later in the season to put them in the position where they are to win this division. Logan Thomas was a college QB and is now one of the better tight ends this season. Antonio Gibson stepped in after Derrius Guice’s release and has been phenomenal. The biggest story of this team has been future comeback player of the year Alex Smith, who went from nearly having his leg amputated two years ago to starting for a potential playoff team. This is all fine and dandy, yet here’s where the issue lies: Alex Smith is not going to be the starter two years from now. Regardless of his health, he’s also on the wrong side of 35. Unless they commit to Dwayne Haskins, who they may actually just trade, this team is not in a position to take a starting QB in the draft in 2021, something that could hamper their development into a super bowl contender. There are ways around it, but even then, the Offensive line will need retooling after the season, as will the linebacking core. It’s not a guarantee that they return with a better roster next year.
The New York Giants are another team with poor expectations before the season, as they sat deep in the middle of a rebuild. A new coach, no clear starting offensive line, and a bad secondary were all reasons to count out this team. However, this defense has made great strides this season, with CB James Bradberry and LB Blake Martinez playing at All-pro levels. Leonard Williams has resurrected his career this season in New York, with two sacks in Seattle, helping to lead New York to its biggest win in four years. Yet, with the loss against Arizona paired with Washington’s win this weekend, their chances of making the playoffs plummeted. The team is slowly on the rise, but the offense has clear questions. They’ll roll with Daniel Jones for 2021, playing themselves out of a top 5 pick, but they will need to put weapons around him. They are in desperate need of a number one wide receiver for Jones, as well as a more consistent tight end than Engram. They will also most likely need a linebacker, as well as solving the interior of their offensive line. The holes in this team are apparent and easy to fill. It’s just whether they do it through the draft, trade, or free agency (Think Buffalo). Regardless, it is evident that this team is trending in the right direction, but not “here” like many fans think they are.
Dallas and Philadelphia are in similar situations. Win-now teams that are starting to fall apart. Yes, Philadelphia potentially found its starter for the future in Jalen Hurts, but the elephant in the room is the man he supplanted. Carson Wentz’s contract extension has not kicked in yet, and when it does, it will be devastating to their cap situation. It’s a hard contract to get out of as well, with many writers suggesting that they send him in a trade to either the Jets or to Indianapolis, paired with a first-rounder or two. As for this season, playing Wentz for too long may have led them out of the NFC East race, but the game at the end of the season against Washington may have playoff implications if Hurts can keep playing hot. Regardless, the Wentz contract looms large for their future.
As for Dallas, it is now evident what happens when you sign a star running back to an extension. The Ezekiel Elliot contract, as well as the Amari Cooper contract, are beginning to mark the end of this team’s run. I don’t doubt they can rebound and return to good play, but that would require them dishing out another massive contract to Dak, who has proven his value without playing. The problem with Dallas is that they are going to have these three massive contracts on their books in Dak, Zeke, and Cooper, with an offensive line and defense that needs a ton of help everywhere. Cooper’s opt-out after next year will help, but that’s really the only help they will get. It’s going to be a tough task for Jerry Jones and company.
With three weeks left in the season, it is important for these four teams to understand that whoever wins this division will be by circumstance rather than by their own play. All four are bad teams with maybe one or two bright spots. Moreover, each team will face important decisions this offseason, whether they can get back to playing well and competing for championships or choosing to restart. There isn’t a team, except for maybe Washington, that should look at the product they put on the field in 2020 and think that this is the best that they can do. The best that the division winner can do is 9-7, but it will more likely be 8-8 or 7-9. That’s awful for these four teams, and there will need to be the realization that improvements are needed rather than being content about where the division winner stands.
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