It Appears Alex Smith Will Indeed Return To Assist Washington's Playoff Dreams

For the Washington Football Team, the entire season is at stake. And if not the regular season, the only possible way to get into the playoffs.

It's true -- in order to play a postseason game, Washington has to beat the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday night to claim the NFC Least Division. If Washington loses, it's game over, as the winner of the Dallas Cowboys-New York Giants game will sneak into the postseason instead.

Now for the good news (drum roll, please) ...

It appears quarterback Alex Smith is a go. That's worth mentioning because Washington has been at its best with Smith behind center. His status had been in question, though, because he's missed both games and practice time with hamstring and ankle issues.

"Smith was limited in practice throughout the week but, unlike last week, when he came out of his first practice since suffering the injury experiencing a bit of soreness, he is said to have felt good Saturday when the team held its morning walk-through and there is 'a lot of optimism' around the team that Smith will be able to play," wrote Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post. "Taylor Heinicke is set to be his backup, but he would be called upon to start if Smith is unable to go."

Granted, with or without Smith, if Washington (6-9) can't beat the Eagles (4-10-1), then it probably doesn't deserve a playoff spot. It may not even deserve a playoff spot as is, but that's a conversation for another day.

For now, Washington will march on, try to squeeze in the playoffs, maybe pull a surprise or two and make something of an otherwise lost year. And no less than Smith presumably gives the Football Team the best chance to accomplish all of that.