Washington would be foolish to try and win

[Manwiththeplan]

Rivera is a dead man walking. He doesn’t care about draft position. If anything he’d rather win and screw the team.

With the past ownership situation, sure
But, now? I doubt Ron has an axe to grind. He's probably annoyed they traded Sweat and Young and he's finishing his career on a huge losing streak
But the roster is on him and I don't think he's been treated unfairly.

 

[Jayinem]

If the Cowboys come out strong and take an early lead, they will lay down.

And we rarely do that on the road, but we did it against the Giants and Panthers.

 

[rambo2]

They are 4/12. Losing could give them top 3 pick. Win and they could go to 7th? If I’m coaching them I’m resting starters and ensuring a loss. Issue might be that coach is gonna be fired and he has nothing to lose.

Their coach is getting fired.

 

[32BellyOption]

With the past ownership situation, sure
But, now? I doubt Ron has an axe to grind. He's probably annoyed they traded Sweat and Young and he's finishing his career on a huge losing streak
But the roster is on him and I don't think he's been treated unfairly.

He may not have an axe to grind but he also has no motivation to not try and win the game.

 

[lkelly]

Winning a meaningless game at the end isn't going to make or break virtually anyone on that roster. Their coach will be fired by Monday. The players aren't going to have some sort of dance party at midfield after finishing with 5 wins. The ownership and GM structure is going to look at a loss of substantial draft points dropping down 3+ spots in the first. They need a QB like nobody's business and the best bet is to stay at 2 or even consider a trade up to 1 if Chicago puts the pick on the market. They need to re-energize a fan base that has been eaten alive for 20 years by a cancerous owner.

Basically, if Mike can't pull this one out, he should be fired in the locker room. If Howie Roseman was on the other sideline in Washington's shoes, he'd order that the starting QB be pulled for some scrub to ensure the loss.

 

[Playmaker3128]

They have to play.. or at least give the perception they are trying. Coaches jobs on the line as well. To just give up vs Dallas would be bad. On the flip side to win when they have nothing to play for looks good for ppl.

So we can either bring out A game and beat them early… end any hope. Or let them linger around.

 

[lkelly]

He may not have an axe to grind but he also has no motivation to not try and win the game.

Doug Pedersen tried to win the game in 2020 against Washington and was told to yank Hurts for Nate Sudfeld to ensure the loss. Not sure if Washington's GM is as ruthless as Howie, but the 2nd overall pick is quite a carrot to have dangling in front of you when you need a QB.

 

[PAPPYDOG]

They are 4/12. Losing could give them top 3 pick. Win and they could go to 7th? If I’m coaching them I’m resting starters and ensuring a loss. Issue might be that coach is gonna be fired and he has nothing to lose.

Won't matter if we lose as Philly is losing in NY.

 

[Asklesko]

You play to win the game.

 

[Motorola]

by doing so, they make the hated Eagles the champs which is equally bad

Washington - the franchise and fanbase - hatred of the Dallas Cowboys is 5X more intense than they have of Philadelphia.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

He may not have an axe to grind but he also has no motivation to not try and win the game.

I agree, he'll be motivated to avoid ending his career on an 8 game losing streak
I just disagreed that he'll do it to spite the team

 

[Jayinem]

Won't matter if we lose as Philly is losing in NY.

If we lose and Philly loses and Detroit wins we get #3 seed and Detroit gets #2 seed. That could mean going to Detroit in the Divisional Round instead of Detroit coming to Dallas in the Divisional Round.

 

[HungryLion]

Doug Pedersen tried to win the game in 2020 against Washington and was told to yank Hurts for Nate Sudfeld to ensure the loss. Not sure if Washington's GM is as ruthless as Howie, but the 2nd overall pick is quite a carrot to have dangling in front of you when you need a QB.

This is true. The commodes absolutely want to be in position to draft Caleb or Drake.

 

[viman96]

The biggest reason for Washington to play to win is for money. Players could be playing for bonuses and coaches to retain their jobs. Ownership and front office though might only care about next year's draft.

 

[PAPPYDOG]

If we lose and Philly loses and Detroit wins we get #3 seed and Detroit gets #2 seed. That could mean going to Detroit in the Divisional Round instead of Detroit coming to Dallas in the Divisional Round.

Forgot about that victim of the other day.
Ya, no way we win in Detroit.
Let's stay home where it's safe.
The way things are going now that the curse has been lifted look for someone to beat the Niners in the playoffs.

 

[CWR]

If we win this game I’m gonna be pissed!!!!!!!!

Fans and GM want to lose, players and coaches didn't get the memo.

 

[Cowboysheelsreds058]

If we win this game I’m gonna be pissed!!!!!!!!

Lol

 

[The Quest for Six]

And give it to the Eagles instead?

Doubt it.

I doubt players are thinking that way, they're also playing for their jobs next year...they're not going to mail it in...

 

[JustChip]

The way I see it, Washington has no incentive to even show up next week. A win and they potentially drop a few slots in the draft, which is huge. A win and they possibly lose out on one of the top two QBs or the best WR in Harrison Jr. Yeah, it is a division game. But business is business. The Washington players may want to stick it to the Cowboys but they would be sticking it to their future also. I highly doubt the ownership of Washington wants a victory. If I were the owner, I would make it clear (hint hint, wink wink) to the players that I want that 2nd pick.

If the roles were reversed, I would not want the Cowboys to win a meaningless game and lose out on the 2nd pick in the draft.

1988 - Dallas and GB were both 3-12 going into the last game. GB held the tiebreaker over Dallas for the #1 pick in the 1989 draft. GB was playing in the road at the Cards and it was a foregone conclusion GB would lose, thereby, winning the Troy Aikman sweepstake. But that did the unthinkable and beat the Cards. Dallas stayed true to form and lost to the Eagles.

Moral - don’t ever take anything for granted in the NFL.

 

[JustChip]

Won't matter if we lose as Philly is losing in NY.

That’s certainly possible.