Playoff Rooting Card: Week 13

First off let me say, that in the first time as a fan of the Washington Redskins, I don’t mind if they lose this Sunday. Of course I will be rooting for them to win. Of course I want to see them win. But this tragedy that hit our team this week is beyond measure. In the span of 5 days the Redskins players and coaches will not only have to deal with the unthinkable loss of a friend and teammate and his funeral, but play 2 games with teams in the middle of a playoff run.

However there is not much I can do as a fan but be supportive of the team and it’s players. So I will continue to support them in every way possible. One of those ways is to root for them to make the playoffs. I have come to the conclusion over the last few days that I want the Redskins to finish the season strong. Not for me, but for them and the memory of Sean Taylor. In years to come the annals of Sports history will write about the murder of Sean Taylor and I would hate the post script for this saga to be the redskins failed to put together a strong playoff run because of the loss. Sean’s memory deserves better.

But our guys are going to need help to get in. That is why I am going to continue writing this rooting card feature. After losing three straight the Redskins still have a better then normal chance to get into the last playoff spot because just about everything else went their way last week. However winning out was an unlikely task even before the tragic events earlier this week. The Redskins are going to need help.

So with that in mind here are the standings for week 13:

NFC East Champion: Dallas Cowboys (10-1, 7-0 Conf, 4-0 Div)

NFC North Champions: Green Bay Packers (10-1, 7-1 Conf)

NFC West Champions: Seattle Seahawks (7-4, 6-2 Conf)

NFC South Champions: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-4, 6-2 Conf)

Wild Card #1: NY Giants (7-4, 5-4 Conf, 2-2 Div)

Wild Card #2: Detroit Lions (6-5, 4-5 Conf)

The Pack
New Orleans Saints (5-6, 4-3 Conf)
Washington Redskins (5-6, 3-5 Conf, 1-3 Div)
Philadelphia Eagles (5-6, 3-5 Conf, 1-3 Div)
Arizona Cardinals (5-6, 3-5 Conf)
Minnesota Vikings (5-6, 3-5 Conf)
Chicago Bears (5-6, 2-5 Conf)
Carolina Panthers (4-7, 4-4 Conf)

The Washington Redskins have head to head tiebreakers over Detroit and
Arizona. Tampa Bay, NY Giants, & Dallas Cowboys all have head to head tiebreakers over the Redskins, though the Redskins can eliminate that fact against the Giants and Dallas with wins later in the year. The Redskins have the opportunity to get head to head tiebreakers over Minnesota and Chicago.

The team I am worried about the most is the surging New Orleans’ Saints. I am worried about them on a two fold basis. First we do not have the opportunity to play them and their conference record is currently better then ours. Also if they catch up to Tampa
Bay and get the South division, the Bucs have a head to head tiebreaker against us due to their victory last week. The NY Giants and Detroit Lions are both slumping and despite the Eagles close game against the Pats I am not worried about them either.

We are definitely going to see some separation in the pack this week as almost all of the Playoff contenders are playing another playoff contender. So with that in mind here is the rooting card for this week’s games:

San Francisco (3-8) at Carolina (4-7)

Carolina actually has a decent Conference Record and if they go on a run could get into the playoffs at 9-7. Rather have the 49ers take them out now and not have to worry about that. Go 49ers!!

Seattle (7-4) at Philadelphia (5-6)

I rather see Seattle win the west and beating the Eagles helps us out. Go Seahawks!!

Buffalo Bills (5-6) at Washington Redskins (5-6)

Of course I will root for our boys to win. But most importantly I want them to play with pride for Sean. Go Sean!!!

Detroit Lions (6-5) At Minnesota Vikings (5-6)

We get a chance to play the Vikings and get a head to head and we need to gain ground on the Lions. Go Vikings!!

NY Giants (7-4) at Chicago (5-6).

We get to play both of these guys but like above we need help to catch up to the NY Giants. Go Bears!!

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-4) at New Orleans Saints (5-6).

Probably the biggest non redskin Game of the weekend. A win by the Bucs goes a long way for us on so many levels. Go Bucs!!

Cleveland Browns (7-4) at Arizona Cardinals (5-6)

Arizona is doing it's best imitation of ...well Arizona. Every year they fall all over themselves to find a way out of the playoffs. Lets give them some more help. Go Browns!!

Ok that is the rooting card for this week. As always until next time, Hail to the Redskins!!!

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