Redskins fall to Cowboys 44-17

The Washington Redskins and Dallas Cowboys enter their week 17 matchup at very different positions. The Cowboys can have their best season since 2007 with a win against Washington today. Whereas the Redskins will complete their seventh losing season out of the last ten years.

However, if you're a Redskins fan, back to back wins against divisional opponents to end the season would go a long way for the morale and culture of this team. It would also do wonders for the Gruden-‑Griffin relationship if the third year signal caller can finish the season with two strong performances.

Gruden and the Redskins will continue to look for young guys to step up, and will be evaluating the roster for the future moving forward. Phillip Thomas will get another start, as well as Jackson Jeffcoat who will receive his first NFL start against his father's former team, the Cowboys. For another week, Josh LeRibeus will be inactive in favor of rookie Spencer Long.

The Cowboys will not rest their starters, because Dallas is still in play for a first round playoff bye, but rivalry games are always unpredictable, and if the Redskins can take care of the ball they will have a chance to upset their bitter rivals.

The Cowboys first offensive drive started out very impressive, but stalled short and Dallas was forced to settle for a field goal. The frustrating thing for Washington is that Kennan Robinson had a chance to make a game changing play, and dropped an interception that likely would have gone to the house that hit him directly in the hands. Those are the types of plays you need to make if you want to upset a team that is playing its best football at the right time of year. Dallas strikes first, up 3-0.

The Redskins did exactly what they should have done a lot more all season. They set up a screen pass to DeSean Jackson, used their freakishly athletic tackle Trent Williams to set up Jackson blocking and that's all the speedster needed who took it all the way to the end zone untouched. Redskins take the lead 7-3. Gruden has done a good job getting Griffin in a rhythm early and calling the plays that suit Griffins skill set best.

Just like that, the Cowboys hit on a long pass to Dez Bryant and reclaim the lead 10-7. David Amerson was in the correct position, however, he gave an absolutely pathetic effort to tackle one of the most physically gifted receivers in the league. Just like that, momentum is right back in the Cowboys favor.

Another big play, another Dez touchdown. The Cowboys are now up 17-7, and the defense hasn't shown any ability to slow down the Cowboys offensive attack. Dez Bryant now has two touchdowns in the first quarter, he had three receptions the entire game last time these two teams met.

Following the Redskins first drive which featured the big play, RG III and company have gone three and out twice. The Redskins offense needs to get themselves in third and manageable situations, considering they are one of the worst teams in terms of converting third and longs in the NFL. The Redskins defense needs a stop or a turnover, another Dallas touchdown may put this game out of reach.

At the end of the 1^st, the Cowboys lead the Redskins 17-7.

Set up by a David Amerson pass interference the Cowboys settle for another field goal. The Cowboys now lead the Redskins 20-7. Amerson was pulled for a few plays but returned later on the drive. I understand there is absolutely no depth at the cornerback position, but Amerson should stay on the bench. His performance and effort and times has been unacceptable, and he needs to be held accountable.

Following the field goal, the Cowboys executed a surprise field goal perfectly. Jason Garrett knows the Redskins defense can't stop their offense, and I believe he would like to put this game away sooner than later so he can rest his key players for the playoffs.

The Redskins are beginning to unravel. The skins defense forced a third down stop, but Breeland was flagged for hands to the face giving the Cowboys a first down. Followed by a Biggers facemask that added 15 additional yards to an already first down completion.

Murry bulldozes into the end zone, and that might just end the game before halftime. The Cowboys now have 27 points while the Redskins offense has had the ball for a total of four minutes. Dallas has now scored 20 unanswered points, and lead the Redskins 27-7.

After a promising thirteen play drive, the Redskins are forced to settle for a field goal. They now trail 27-10.

Halftime: Cowboys 27 Redskins 10

The Redskins fail a fourth down conversion to open their second half. Griffin made some solid throws, but did take another sack. Griffin made a good throw on the fourth down attempt, however, Jordan Reed wasn't in the correct position, and even though he made the catch he did not get past the first down marker.

After another promising drive, the Redskins went for it on fourth and one. Griffin tried to fit a ball in a tad too small of a window. Griffin was locked in on his primary receiver, and Carter read his eyes well and made an impressive interception.

At the end of the third: Cowboys 27 Redskins 10

From the most unlikely source, the Redskins defense got a interception. Jackson Jeffcoat, who notched his first career sack got his first career interception against his dads former team. The interception sets the Redskins up deep in Dallas territory.

The Redskins trade turnovers with the Cowboys, spoiling their opportunity to climb back into the game. On a third and ten Griffin didn't throw the best ball to Andre Roberts, who tipped it directly into a Cowboy defender's hands.

The Redskins offense got back into the end zone behind the legs of Robert Griffin III. Griffin did a nice job of sliding out of the pocket and went untouched into the end zone. The Redskins now trail 27-17.

Set up by another big play in which David Amerson got beat badly, the Cowboys add a field goal to their lead, now up 30-17

A fitting end to an abysmal season, RG III suffered a strip sack, which was then picked up by Anthony Spencer (who the Redskins came very close to signing this off-season) who took it into the end zone for the touchdown.

Jordan Reed coughs up the ball, the Cowboys recover and appropriately break off a 65 yard touchdown run. The Cowboys absolutely dominate their division rivals to finish their season a perfect 8-0 on the road. The Redskins will officially finish 4-12 on the season.

FINAL: Cowboys 44 Redskins 17

The Redskins season has officially ended, finishing with a 4-12 record. There will be a lot of questions facing the Redskins heading into the off-season. Will Bruce Allen, Jim Haslett return? Which players should return and which shouldn't?

However, none of these questions will matter until some major changes are made. The Redskins scouting department needs a major overhaul, a true football mind at GM would do wonders, and until the Redskins build a true team, a complete team with some actual depth it wont matter. The Redskins have a losing culture, and that is unacceptable. Nothing will change in Washington until the culture does, no defensive coordinator or quarterback change is going to fix a roster and organization that has been the laughing stock of the NFL since Mr. Snyder took over.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for reading, even during a difficult season. I truly appreciate it, and I will immediately begin off-season and draft coverage. Thank you all.