The Washington Redskins and Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving contest in the NFL this season. The NFL Media released ratings facts that showed the league’s ratings have gone up in all five broadcasts.
The Thanksgiving showdown in Jerry World’s was for first place in the NFC East. The ratings magnet-Cowboys were riding a two-game win streak and were 5-5 entering the game. Meanwhile, the Redskins were sliding back 6-4 and three days removed from losing its starting quarterback Alex Smith to a devastating leg injury.
Colt McCoy had given Washington hope, as he looked solid in relief of Smith against the Houston Texans. He also had history of beating the Cowboys in Dallas. In the end, the Cowboys were victorious 31-23 and went on to win four of the following five games to win the division.
Unfortunately, that game was the beginning of the end for the Redskins. Things went down hill from there, as they ultimately lost six of their last seven. But, that’s another story.
Meanwhile, the league hit a home run with the rivalry game being on its biggest draw day of the regular season. It’s why it’s not unthinkable to believe they’ll turn to the Redskins-Cowboys as much as possible for Thanksgiving.
The NFC East battle has been the biggest rivalry in the league for decades. When both teams have high stakes, it’s a huge win for the league.
With all the bad PR Washington has received in recent weeks, this is a reminder that the NFL benefits when the Redskins are respectable. If anything instead of parading about “winning off the field” maybe the team’s front office will do some self-evaluating and compare how good things are when the team is respectable and how bad things appear when they are not.
