Washington in Driver's Seat of NFC East Clown Car

Perry Riley (56) returns an interception in the first quarter

Responding well to an embarrassing loss to Carolina. That's how coach Jay Gruden framed Sunday's divisional matchup with the New York Giants for his squad. Any talk about the ramifications of the matchup, first place in the abysmal NFC East, was left to the analysts. Gruden was out to see character, and Washington delivered in spades. Time after time Sunday evening Washington responded to a New York team whom they hadn't beaten since 2012. Whether it was Quinton Dunbar's interception in the end zone, halting an impressive Giant's drive, or Jordan Reed's 20 yard reception on a 3rd Down and 5 late in the 4th quarter, Washington played with character and passion, seemingly absent from their most recent losses to undefeated Carolina and New England. With the win, Washington controls their destiny in pursuit of their first division title since 2012. 

Washington 

Remaining Schedule - Dallas Cowboys (3-8), @ Chicago Bears (5-6), Buffalo Bills (5-6), @ Philadelphia Eagles (4-7), @ Dallas Cowboys (3-8)

Washington has the second easiest remaining schedule in the league. Twice they face a Dallas team that will be without Tony Romo (and is 0-7 in games he hasn't started this season), along with games against a Philadelphia team that has all but quit on their head coach. A meeting at Soldier Field with a Chicago team that is suddenly playing well should prove a tough matchup. 8-8 is an attainable record, though it will likely take a 4-1 finish to take the NFC East crown.

New York

Remaining Schedule - New York Jets (6-5), @ Miami Dolphins (4-7), Carolina Panthers (11-0), @ Minnesota Vikings (8-3), Philadelphia Eagles (4-7)

The race for the NFC East crown is likely a two horse race at this point with New York posing the biggest threat to Washington. Their remaining schedule is no cake walk with four grueling games before a home finale against division rival Philadelphia. If New York can solve the protection problems of an injury depleted line, they are in for long days in their next four games, all against teams that can get after the passer.

Philadelphia

Remaining Schedule - @ New England Patriots (10-0), Buffalo Bills (5-6), Arizona Cardinals (9-2), Washington Redskins (5-6), @ New York Giants (5-6)

Philadelphia is all but finished after a Thanksgiving dismantling at the hands of an underwhelming Detroit squad. Questions abound over a fractured locker room, the offense is anemic, and they face two of the best teams in the league in Arizona and New England. Sputtering to a 4-12 finish is not out of the question for a team that will likely be looking for a new head coach come January.

Dallas

Remaining Schedule - @ Washington Redskins (5-6), @ Green Bay (7-4), New York Jets (6-5), @ Buffalo Bills (5-6), Washington Redskins (5-6)

January can't come soon enough for a Dallas squad that has been hampered by injuries all season long. Last year's 12-4 campaign seems a far cry from a season in which the Cowboy's have yet to win without Tony Romo in the starting lineup. The schedule sets up well for the Cowboys to win a few games, but a division title and return to the playoffs seems out of the realm of possibility at this point.

College Hoops is Back - UConn Season Primer

The start of the College Basketball season couldn't come soon enough for fans of the Connecticut Huskies. Just two years ago, UConn completed an improbable run (well not improbable for yours truly)  to the school's fourth men's National Championship. Last year the Huskies stumbled to a 20-15 mark, and first round exit from the NIT, leaving fans pining for what appears to be a promising 2016 campaign. The Huskies open the season ranked 20th, and have the pieces to make a Sweet Sixteen run a reasonable expectation. 

UConn will look to replace the production
of last years leading scorer, Ryan Boatright

In order to reach their potential, UConn must replace the veteran leadership and production on the court from departed senior guard Ryan Boatright who led the Huskies in minutes, points, assists, and steals per game as well as free throw percentage in 2014-2015. Kevin Ollie's squad appears more than capable of doing so with the addition of fifth-year senior transfers Shonn Miller (formerly of Cornell) and Sterling Gibbs (formerly of Texas and most recently Seton Hall). The fifth-year transfer has worked well for Ollie in the past. Lasan Kromah, a then fifth-year transfer from George Washington, was a key contributor to the 2014 Championship team. Both Miller and Gibbs help address deficiencies from last year's squad. Miller should offer help down low on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball, while also offering the versatility to play the five in a stretch-4 line-up. Gibbs on the other hand will do well to replace Boatright's offensive production, offering an ability to cut to the rim and a more dynamic threat from long range than Boatright did. 

Jalen Adams looks to be a star in the making for the Huskies

The Huskies have also added two dynamic freshman to a squad that looks to have a 10-deep quality rotation. This rotation will be compressed to 8 by the time March rolls around, but offers Kevin Ollie flexibility to experiment and work through injuries during the grind of the season. Freshman additions Jalen Adams and Steven Enoch, though both ready to play now, should only be aided by the depth on the UConn roster. Coach Kevin Ollie has said he hopes to allow Adams and Enoch to adjust to the college game with the help of his budding upperclassmen. Adams should play more minutes off the bat than Enoch, but look for both to be key contributors come playoff season.

Daniel Hamilton's (5) maturation is key to Huskies' success

Beyond their new additions, the Huskies will be led by a bevy of young returning players. Versatile swingman Daniel Hamilton looks to be a first team all-AAC candidate, with the ability to run the point, stretch the floor, and play above the rim. Junior 7 footer Amida Brimah is one of the few remaining holdovers from the 2014 Championship squad, but his continued maturation on the offensive side of the ball offers exciting possibilities to a UConn offensive that has the athleticism and play-making ability to spread the floor. Last year's leading shot blocker in the nation also brings an imposing presence to the defensive side of the ball for a squad that has added length from forwards Shonn Miller and Steven Enoch. Guard Rodney Purvis rounds out the top returners for the Huskies who will also be helped by key contributors Omar Calhoun and Sam Cassell Jr and role players Kentan Facey and Phillip Nolan.

Athleticism and length will be one of the Huskies calling cards, as they should be able to overplay many of the teams they face, particularly in conference play. Their versatility will allow Coach Kevin Ollie to go small or big, and should allow a team that has uncharacteristically underperformed return to being one of the nation's leading rebounding and shot blocking teams. Their December 8th matchup with 3rd ranked Maryland will be a great measuring stick of where the team is, though they should be able to coast to an AAC championship. I expect the Huskies to make the Sweet Sixteen, though they have the pieces to make a deeper Championship run. This team is better than the 2014 squad that won it all as a collective, but doesn't look to have a star as bright as Shabazz Napier. With plenty of underclassmen contributors, UConn looks poised to compete both this year and next. The Huskies kick off their 2015-2016 campaign tonight against Maine at the Gampel Pavilion.