Eagles DC Jim Schwartz Installs 'No-Hat Rule' For SNF Matchup With Washington

The Philadelphia Eagles don't have a whole lot to play for this week in their season finale against the Washington Football Team, a game that has been flexed to Sunday night football.

That's not stopping outspoken Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz from laying down the law in an attempt to play spoiler, though.

Schwartz has instituted a "no-hat rule" this week against Washington, meaning the team is going to do whatever they can to prevent Washington from putting on an NFC East Champs hat after the game.

"We've got to have a no-hat rule this week," Schwartz said.

"We can't let opponents put division win hats on at the Linc. There's a lot of pride in that, and all our focus has to be accomplishing that this week."

If Washington is able to beat Philadelphia, they will claim the division title and a home playoff game, despite a 7-9 record.

A win by the Eagles and the division title will come down to the late afternoon Sunday game between Dallas and the New York Giants.

It's not been a very good year for the Eagles defense, ranking 21st in the NFL and allowing 370.8 yards per game.

Last week, they allowed Dallas to score 37 points in a 20-point loss, and the week before they gave up 33 points in a loss to Arizona.

Washington has had their own drama this week. The team released quarterback Dwayne Haskins on Monday after another poor performance during a 20-13 loss to the Panthers Sunday.

If regular starter Alex Smith isn't fully healed from a calf injury by Sunday, the team will turn to backup Taylor Heinicke, who came in for Haskins and led the team to their only offensive touchdown Sunday.



















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Matt has been a part of the Cleveland Sports landscape working in the media since 1994 when he graduated from broadcasting school. His coverage beats include the Cleveland Indians, Cleveland Browns and Cleveland Cavaliers. He's written three books, and won the "2020 AP Sports Stringer Lifetime Service Award."