The 2010 Seahawks were the first sub-.500 NFL team to reach the postseason. The NFC West's winning percentage that year was .391.
This year's NFC East should be so lucky. Their combined winning percentage is .327. Heading into last night, their collective losing streak stood at 15 games.
At around 10:30pm last night, I was all set to reiterate what I shared on Twitter a few days ago--that the Redskins didn't need to beat Green Bay to remain in the playoff hunt. That's right: at 3-10, they were still mathematically in contention. If they beat the Eagles, Giants, and Cowboys, if the Eagles also beat the Cowboys at home and lose at the Giants, and if the Cowboys also lost to the Rams, then there would be a three-way tie for first at 6-10. Unless my research was off, Washington probably would prevail on the first winnable tiebreaker: winning percentage of defeated teams.
It was an incredible scenario that remained viable until Philly's impressive comeback. Win or lose, the Eagles had the luxury of controlling their own destiny. The win simply gives them a tiny cushion. Win out, and they'll reach the postseason. But they might have to do it without their top three wideouts and #1 running back. Alshon Jeffery left early last night with a foot injury. Nelson Agholor has been hurt. DeSean Jackson is on IR. And Jordan Howard hasn't been cleared for contact.
So one of the biggest questions heading into Week 15 is, "Can JJ Arcega-Whiteside and/or Greg Ward be fantasy startable?" Arcega-Whiteside offers more obvious talent and upside. But the rise of Boston Scott (six catches) and continual presence of Dallas Goedert (three catches), along with the unstoppable Zach Ertz, make the two rookies as risky as any late-season fill-ins. Playing from behind most of last night, the young pair picked up only 55 scoreless yards on 13 targets. Toss in desperation fill-in receiver Joshua Perkins, and it's easy to see why there are safer dart throws than JJA-W and Ward.
The biggest disappointment of the night for the Eagles had to be Miles Sanders, a rookie who's played beyond his years. But yesterday he took a backseat to Scott when it mattered most. Heading into Week 15, he's no longer a safe RB2/3. This looks like a hot-hand situation until/unless Howard returns.
For the Giants, I gave Eli Manning little shot at redemption, and he proved me wrong. Somewhat. Give him credit for an explosive second quarter and about 15 first-half fantasy points. His second half? 4-for-11 for 24 yards. After halftime the Giants had the ball for only eight minutes, compared to 27 minutes for Philly. His inability to sustain drives (and the coaches' merely partial commitment to the running game) lost them the game. There's no reasonable way a defense--much less a sub-par one--can stay on the field for almost an entire half and overtime and still compete.
Meanwhile, Saquon Barkley's woeful season continued. Little choice but to start him, even against a tough Eagles run D. He's stated not being 100%, and also not wanting to be shut down. Music to the ears of those who love tough competitors. Painful to fantasy managers who need reliable production. I still love Barkley as a top-3 RB next season and would try to snag him in dynasty in a heartbeat.
And Darius Slayton . . . When the Lions parted with Golden Tate, he was past his prime. Sterling Shepard isn't a #1. Evan Engram can't stay healthy. If you're wondering who will lead the Giants in receiving yards next year, it's gotta be Slayton. He now has a 659-7 line and sit just behind fellow rookie Terry McLaurin at #31 on the fantasy WR leaderboard. Ironically, he's on the verge of passing Odell Beckham, Jr.
How brutally hilarious would that be.
This year's NFC East should be so lucky. Their combined winning percentage is .327. Heading into last night, their collective losing streak stood at 15 games.
At around 10:30pm last night, I was all set to reiterate what I shared on Twitter a few days ago--that the Redskins didn't need to beat Green Bay to remain in the playoff hunt. That's right: at 3-10, they were still mathematically in contention. If they beat the Eagles, Giants, and Cowboys, if the Eagles also beat the Cowboys at home and lose at the Giants, and if the Cowboys also lost to the Rams, then there would be a three-way tie for first at 6-10. Unless my research was off, Washington probably would prevail on the first winnable tiebreaker: winning percentage of defeated teams.
It was an incredible scenario that remained viable until Philly's impressive comeback. Win or lose, the Eagles had the luxury of controlling their own destiny. The win simply gives them a tiny cushion. Win out, and they'll reach the postseason. But they might have to do it without their top three wideouts and #1 running back. Alshon Jeffery left early last night with a foot injury. Nelson Agholor has been hurt. DeSean Jackson is on IR. And Jordan Howard hasn't been cleared for contact.
So one of the biggest questions heading into Week 15 is, "Can JJ Arcega-Whiteside and/or Greg Ward be fantasy startable?" Arcega-Whiteside offers more obvious talent and upside. But the rise of Boston Scott (six catches) and continual presence of Dallas Goedert (three catches), along with the unstoppable Zach Ertz, make the two rookies as risky as any late-season fill-ins. Playing from behind most of last night, the young pair picked up only 55 scoreless yards on 13 targets. Toss in desperation fill-in receiver Joshua Perkins, and it's easy to see why there are safer dart throws than JJA-W and Ward.
The biggest disappointment of the night for the Eagles had to be Miles Sanders, a rookie who's played beyond his years. But yesterday he took a backseat to Scott when it mattered most. Heading into Week 15, he's no longer a safe RB2/3. This looks like a hot-hand situation until/unless Howard returns.
For the Giants, I gave Eli Manning little shot at redemption, and he proved me wrong. Somewhat. Give him credit for an explosive second quarter and about 15 first-half fantasy points. His second half? 4-for-11 for 24 yards. After halftime the Giants had the ball for only eight minutes, compared to 27 minutes for Philly. His inability to sustain drives (and the coaches' merely partial commitment to the running game) lost them the game. There's no reasonable way a defense--much less a sub-par one--can stay on the field for almost an entire half and overtime and still compete.
Meanwhile, Saquon Barkley's woeful season continued. Little choice but to start him, even against a tough Eagles run D. He's stated not being 100%, and also not wanting to be shut down. Music to the ears of those who love tough competitors. Painful to fantasy managers who need reliable production. I still love Barkley as a top-3 RB next season and would try to snag him in dynasty in a heartbeat.
And Darius Slayton . . . When the Lions parted with Golden Tate, he was past his prime. Sterling Shepard isn't a #1. Evan Engram can't stay healthy. If you're wondering who will lead the Giants in receiving yards next year, it's gotta be Slayton. He now has a 659-7 line and sit just behind fellow rookie Terry McLaurin at #31 on the fantasy WR leaderboard. Ironically, he's on the verge of passing Odell Beckham, Jr.
How brutally hilarious would that be.