ASHBURN, Va. -- The Washington Redskins have plenty to be thankful for this holiday season, but the playoffs aren't one of them.
But even though the playoffs have slipped away and the holidays -- plus the offseason -- are almost here, the team has business to finish in San Francisco before it ends another year.
So the day before Christmas the Redskins were gearing up for a 49ers squad that has won four of their last six under interim head coach Mike Singletary. Other than spending some time with their families on Christmas morning, it will be business as usual for the burgundy and gold.
"It just so happens on this particular year, (Christmas Eve) ends up on a tremendous workday," said head coach Jim Zorn. "Its a long day today. We still have work tonight and then we get back at it tomorrow."
The Christmas season falling midweek is just one of the distractions the non-playoff team has to deal with. After a 6-2 start, the Redskins stumbled down the stretch and are now just days away from the end of their season.
The motivation to practice hard and prepare one last time may seem hard to find, but for the players, it is simply a case of what one must do during game week.
"Its the only way there is to do this," said linebacker London Fletcher, the Redskins leading tackler. "You work hard doing the week and prepare for the football game on Sunday. You go out west and play a team that is playing pretty good the last few weeks. It will be a good challenge for us."
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Putting aside the questions of what ifs and what could have beens, with a win the Redskins will finish the season with a two-game winning streak and at 9-7, a winning record for the third time in four years.
Zorn, who according to Redskins executive vice president of football operations Vinny Cerrato, will return next season, would match the team record held by George Allen for most victories by a first-year head coach with a win.
"For us it would mean a two-game winning streak in the regular season," added Fletcher. "It's momentum to go into the offseason with, feeling good about yourself."
Momentum for the 2009 campaign is something the team as a whole can build on, but the reality is that some players will not be walking back through the doors at Redskins Park next season.
While upcoming free agents like Pete Kendall, the starting left guard on an aging offensive line, may not need that kind of incentive on this final Sunday, it is not lost on him that this is one last chance to show his wares to the Redskins and the other 31 NFL teams.
Kendall said he couldn't be more motivated.
"I understand where people are going with that question, because there doesn't seem to be a lot on the line, but in my opinion there still is," Kendall said. "In my particular instance, I'm going to be an unrestricted free agent so I want to put my best foot forward every time I play."
Notes: DT Lorenzo Alexander (hamstring) was placed on the injured reserve list. The second-year reserve and special teamer played in 15 games, posting 26 tackles and two sacks before suffering an injury in last Sunday's win against Philadelphia. LB Tyson Smith was signed to take his roster spot...P Ryan Plackemeier was named NFC Special Teams Player of the week. Five of his eight punts against the Eagles landed inside the 10-yard line...Fletcher was selected as the Redskins 2008 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year....Kendall, Fletcher (foot) and K Shaun Suisham (non-injury related) sat out practice on Wednesday while RT Jon Jansen (knee) was a limited participant. DT Kedric Golston (ankle), RB Clinton Portis and DE Jason Taylor also practiced.
