The Washington Redskins entered Sunday with a win-and-in scenario on their plate. Instead of destroying a New York Giants squad with nothing to play for, the Redskins laid an egg in one of its worst games of the season.
Washington got down double digits early, was held under 300 total yards for the first time this season (284 yards) and gave up big plays to a feeble Giants offense, leading to a 19-10 loss.
How did the Redskins let the playoff opportunity slip through their fingers?
"Pssh, that's the question I've been asking myself over there," Josh Norman replied, via USA Today. "I don't know. We've got to bounce back and see tomorrow, sit down with the coaches and evaluate ourselves. Because we had opportunities to be special, damn it, man."
Norman continued: "That right there was disgusting. It was despicable. ... We've got to be better. We've got to give (fans) something to cheer for. That right there was not football."
Norman was flagged for two personal foul penalties in the rematch with Odell Beckham Jr. before the receiver was put on ice.
"It's over," coach Jay Gruden said after the game. "We played a very good team today and we didn't get it done. And just like that, your season's over. You just got to say goodbye. So hopefully we'll see y'all next year, appreciate their hard work. They all did work hard, played hard. Just weren't good enough."
The Redskins' collapse down the stretch -- losing four of their last six games -- will lead to an offseason of speculation about quarterback Kirk Cousins' future. In a big spot, Cousins flopped, throwing two interceptions (including one on a potential game-winning drive). With no help from the run game, the quarterback couldn't keep the chains moving against a good defense.
With the playoff dream out the door, the Redskins will now have to decide how many millions of dollars Cousins is worth. It's a choice that will define the franchise's future for the next several years.
