IT'S "DALLAS WEEK!"

Due to the holiday and the absence of our weekly newsletter writers, we offer the following excerpt:

By Larry Weisman

Redskins.com

December 22, 2009

Spoilers.

No, no, no.  Not the role for us, the Redskins said last week.

We will win for the sake of winning.  We will win for us.  We will win because, well, we want to win, not because we want the other guy to lose.  We are here for our success, not to create failure for others.

Very noble.  Very high-minded.  Kind of that “art for art’s sake” mentality.

They did not win for the sake of winning.  They did not win for us, for them, for anyone.  They did not win or play as if they wanted to (win or play), nor did it seem to matter against the New York Giants whether the Giants won.  The Redskins created failure for themselves.

They did not get up for a Monday night game.  Against a division rival.  Having not won a division game this season.  Despite winning on the road for the first time the previous week.

Now we know what has been spoiled.  A six-week stretch of improving, if not winning, football.  Any chance of avoiding a 10-loss season or worse.  This after having already clinched last place in the NFC for a second consecutive season and third in four years.

Now the Dallas Cowboys come to visit.  This is Dallas Week.  Also a short week of preparation, rehab and building to an emotional boil (as if).

The advice from this corner -- embrace the spoiler concept.  Get with it.  This game against Dallas matters.  It figures in numerous playoff permutations, it matters for self-respect and for national image, which took a serious bruising all season long and a nearly-fatal blow Monday night.

If the Philadelphia Eagles defeat the slumping Denver Broncos and the Redskins beat the Cowboys, the Eagles win the NFC East. There’s no good reason to help the Eagles, but why not hurt the Cowboys?

The Green Bay Packers clinch a playoff berth with a victory against the moribund Seattle Seahawks, if the Redskins beat the Cowboys. There’s no good reason to help the Packers, but why not hurt the Cowboys?

The Cowboys clinch a playoff berth with a win if the New York Giants lose at home to the mediocre Carolina Panthers.  Why not hurt the Cowboys?

Beating the Cowboys carries its own rewards.  It is the Redskins’ most intense rivalry and it is another shot on national TV.  Jobs, pride, each other, that didn’t seem to matter against the Giants.  Maybe it will now and maybe it won’t.

Take the charitable view, fellas.  Ask not what you can do for yourselves.  Ask what you can do for others ... and to the Cowboys.

(emphasis added)