Washington and Tennessee remain alive in the playoff hunt after Week 15 victories. While fans might look forward to two playoff-hunt teams facing off against each other, these teams would probably prefer finding a team playing out the string on their schedule.
But that’s the way things go sometimes. Washington will bring its undefeated fourth quarterback to Tennessee to take on Derrick Henry and Marcus Mariota.
Despite their comeback win over the Jaguars last week, things went noticeably better for the Titans’ Henry than the Redskins’ Josh Johnson.
While Henry was racing through and around the Giants defense for 170 yards and two touchdowns, Johnson and the Redskins were held to a pair of field goals through three quarters. But a late nine-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jeremy Sprinkle was enough to beat the Jaguars.
Washington is just a half-game behind Minnesota for the second wild-card spot. They are also tied with the Eagles, just a game behind the Cowboys for the NFC East lead.
Tennessee is one of three AFC teams battling for the second wild card with 8-6 records. Tennessee loses most tiebreaker scenarios.
Injuries and notes
Adrian Peterson (shoulder) joins left guard Trent Williams (thumb, wrist), left guard Ty Nsekhe (knee), and right guard Tony Bergstrom (knee, ankle) on the injury report. Only Nsekhe skipped practice Tuesday, although Bergstrom was limited.
Jordan Reed remains out with a foot injury.
Marcus Mariota is listed as questionable with his own foot injury, but there is no doubt he will start.
OLB Brian Orakpo (elbow) did not practice and safety Kenny Vaccaro was limited as he works his way through the concussion protocol.
Coaching matchup
Losing to the Jaguars and their backup passer Cody Kessler might have sealed the deal, but even with the comeback win, Jay Gruden is widely expected to be working somewhere else next season. He should have no trouble finding work as he kept the team in the playoff hunt despite insurmountable injuries.
Mike Vrabel has come up with game plans that sometimes worked to the tune of a romp over the Patriots. Other times, they lost winnable games. Last week, his plan worked in a winnable game. Shutting down the Giants Pro Bowl running back Saquon Barkley (31 yards rushing) let Mariota hand the ball to Henry all day.
How to watch the Titans-Redskins game
This Saturday afternoon matchup will be shown exclusively by the NFL Network. That means millions of cable and satellite subscribers who don’t pay for NFLN will have to find the game elsewhere.
Before you go spending Christmas present money on beers and chips at your local sports pub, check out how you can watch the Titans-Giants game for free on Fubo TV.
Fubo TV is a leading satellite television provider, offering the local and national networks you need to follow the NFL, plus dozens of other movie and entertainment channels to enjoy between games.
Best of all, you can take advantage of a free trial period to watch this Saturday’s games on Fubo TV for nothing. Just go to their website and sign up for a no-obligation trial period.
Already used your free trial with Fubo-TV? No problem. Go to the websites of Sling TV or DirecTV Now and sign on for their free trials.
Check out what else Sling, DirecTV Now, or Fubo TV has to offer and see why so many people are ditching cable and satellite to join the internet television revolution.
Who will win the Titans-Redskins game?
Despite his late-game heroics, trying to outscore Cody Kessler and the Jaguars is not like keeping up with Marcus Mariota and the Titans. The Titans have not mailed in their season and that should be enough to deliver a victory over the under-manned Redskins.