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When the NFL scheduled Sunday's season-finale at MetLife Stadium between the New York Giants and Washington Redskins it seemed like a mouth-watering game to look forward to, one that would probably have playoff implications.
Things, of course, did not turn out that way. Sunday's game will instead pit two disappointing teams whose playoff aspirations died a loooong time ago. There will be an NFC East game for all the marbles on Sunday, but that will be the Sunday night game at the Jerry-Dome that pits the forever under-achieving Dallas Cowboys against the upstart Philadelphia Eagles.
Sunday afternoon, about four hours before kickoff of that game, the Giants and Redskins will finish seasons that can only be looked at as disappointments no matter which team emerges with a victory.
The Redskins' Vantage Point
The Redskins' Vantage Point
All of that, however, does not mean the game is not without intrigue.
For the Giants, there are more than two dozen players who can be free agents after the season ends. Will this be goodbye to wide receiver Hakeem Nicks, defensive end, Justin Tuck, safety Antrel Rolle and other veteran players who have been key parts of the Giants' success over the years? Will there be a shakeup among the coaching staff?
For the Redskins, will this be the final time Mike Shanahan coaches the team? What do you make of the whole Robert Griffin III - Kirk Cousins thing at quarterback? How different will Washington's offense be with Cousins at the helm Sunday instead of Griffin?
The outcome of the game itself may mean little. The end of the game, however, could mean an era of significant change is about to begin for one or both of these teams.
Game Details
Game Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J.
TV: FOX
Odds: Giants are favored by 3.5 points
