Washington’s prospects of securing its first playoff berth since 2015 are set to improve. The team is planning to start Alex Smith on Sunday night, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.
Smith managed two limited practices this week, but Rapoport notes the 16th-year quarterback is feeling fine going into Washington’s win-and-in Week 17 assignment. Ron Rivera said Smith was close to playing last week. That not coming to pass ended up inducing an organizational shakeup.
Dwayne Haskins is no longer with the franchise, with Washington dropping its Week 16 starter and 2019 first-round pick the morning after he was benched. Haskins is now a free agent. A Washington roster that housed Haskins, Case Keenum and an injured Smith last year is down to just Smith, who underwent 17 surgeries to repair a broken right leg and is attempting to surmount a right calf injury. Taylor Heinicke, who replaced Haskins last week, stands to be Smith’s backup Sunday.
Nearly a lock for Comeback Player of the Year acclaim, Smith has started five games this season. Washington is 4-1 in those contests and 2-8 with Haskins or Kyle Allen starting. Smith, 36, has thrown four touchdown passes and six interceptions while averaging 6.5 yards per attempt. He will, however, face an Eagles defense that will be missing Fletcher Cox and Derek Barnett. Now-eliminated Philly also ruled out Miles Sanders, Dallas Goedert and DeSean Jackson.
I know you’re supposed to want to win every game and anything can happen in the playoffs, but whoever wins the NFC East drops all the way to 19th in drafting order. Is it worth it to drop ten spots just to get blown out in the playoffs?
That’s a good question. Dallas is going to continue to be the wealthiest team in the NFL regardless of what their record is or where they draft so they probably don’t care. Making the playoffs probably means the most to Daniel Snyder as it would increase the market value of the team if he decides to sell.
Absolutely I understand.
The giants can be as high as 19 and as low as 3 in the draft
I get wanting to give your players that experience, but it’s crazy to not draft 3rd if you get blown out in the first round
Gettleman is on the hot seat so making the playoffs and saving his job is probably more important to him at this point than the next draft.
A QB with a 79.0 passer rating is a lock for Comeback Player of the Year acclaim? Rather shocking when you consider that Blake Bortles (80.6) and Mike Glennon (83.0) have better career marks than that.
Do you know anyone else who has led his team to four victories in five games after 17 surgeries to his leg?
The defense has been winning games for Washington, not the offense.
Haskins, joined the conversation
It isn’t about numbers with Alex Smith—there was deep discussion of having to amputate his leg and here he is starting football games. Comeback player of the decade.
I agree with you completely that performance is being totally ignored here. It’s ridiculous to give someone an award simply because they were unfortunate enough to be seriously injured. I guess Dak Prescott gets the award next season even if he plays worse than Haskins did this year.