NFC East Notes: Cowboys, Giants, Redskins

Cowboys

• In order for Cowboys HC Jason Garrett to retain his job for 2020 and beyond, Ian Rapoport says Dallas must beat the Eagles in Week 16, finish first in the NFC East, and reach at least the NFC Championship game. 
• Prior reports have said Garrett would need to win the Super Bowl to be back as Cowboys’ head coach, but apparently there’s a chance a deep playoff will be enough for him to return. 

Giants

Giants RB Saquon Barkley said missing this year’s Pro Bowl does not motivate him, but missing the playoffs is something he’ll use to himself moving forward.

“Does it motivate me? No,” Barkley said, via Pat Leonard of the NY Daily News. “What motivates me is that we’re going home in two weeks. That’s the only motivation that I have. We’re not in the playoff run, we’re not having the chance of the playoffs. That’s going to be my motivation this offseason.”

Barkley added that his personal production “doesn’t matter” because the Giants also missed the 2018 playoffs regardless of Barkley’s breakout season. 

“The production doesn’t matter,” Barkley said. “I had one of the best seasons ever last year for a rookie running back. That didn’t matter last year at all. We went 5-11. All of those yards, when they come from five wins, don’t mean nothing. I think if you ask any talented or any player who is productive, the only thing that matters to them is the wins. Because at the end of the day it’s that trophy that everyone wants. Not the rookie of the year trophy, MVP trophy, or any of those trophies.”

• The Giants downgraded LB Deone Bucannon to questionable for Week 16 due to illness. (Ralph Vacchiano)

Redskins

Redskins QB Dwayne Haskins feels like a “totally different guy” from his Week 5 performance against the Giants, in which he threw three interceptions in a 24-3 loss. 

“I throw up watching that tape,” said Haskins, via John Keim of ESPN. “I don’t like watching that tape; it’s a totally different guy.”

Redskins WR Terry McLaurin believes Haskins has improved his mechanics and ability to follow progressions.  

“He controls more of what he can and isn’t trying to press as much, trust his progressions,” McLaurin said. “His mechanics have gotten a lot better.”