The last thing any NFL player wants to hear is the possibility of their team tanking and trying not to win. But the reality is when you are eliminated from the playoffs and looking ahead to next season, jockeying for the best possible position in the NFL draft is a wise decision.
That’s where the Washington Commanders stand after last week’s loss to the Cleveland Browns. Washington was eliminated from the playoffs after Green Bay won that evening, rendering the Commanders’ Week 18 finale against the Dallas Cowboys meaningless.
While the game may be meaningless in the standings for Washington, don’t tell that to the young players, such as quarterback Sam Howell, who is making his first career start.
Speaking of Sunday’s game against Dallas, the Commanders have already ruled out multiple starters for the game. Jonathan Allen, Brian Robinson Jr. and Benjamin St-Juste are among those out for the finale. While it may look like Washington is tanking, it’s more of a situation in which several players are hurt, and there’s no benefit in playing them and risking further injury.
As the Commanders head into Week 18, they currently hold the No. 14 pick in the 2023 NFL draft, per Tankathon. With so many teams jumbled between seven and eight wins, a lot of scenarios could play out Sunday — win or lose.
There are 13 teams — almost half of the league — that sit at seven or eight wins. If Washington wins Sunday, they could potentially pick as low as No. 21. However, with a loss, the Commanders could pick as high as No. 10. That’s a massive difference, especially if Washington identifies a quarterback it loves and wants to move up for.
It’s hard for fans to root for your team to lose. It’s even more difficult when it’s Dallas vs. Washington.
But for head coach Ron Rivera and the Commanders, losing is what makes sense in Week 18.
