Washington Commanders

Jay Gruden says it's hard to root for Cowboys even though they can help Redskins

Published Dec. 26, 2016 7:09 p.m. ET

Nunzio Ingrassia

The Dallas Cowboys don’t have much to play for after clinching home-field advantage throughout the NFC. But with two games left on their schedule, the Cowboys can affect other teams’ playoff hopes – such as their NFC East rivals the Washington Redskins.

With a Cowboys win over the Detroit Lions on Monday, Washington would control its playoff destiny, needing a win over the Giants and having the Packers-Lions not end in a tie in Week 17 to capture a wild-card spot.

So the Redskins are forced to the do unthinkable – root for the Cowboys.

For Redskins head coach Jay Gruden, it’s not going to be easy.

“It’s hard to root for Dallas,” Gruden said Monday, via USA Today.