Playoff Rooting Card: Week 17

Are you ready for it? I know I am. I have been waiting to write this line in the Playoff Rooting Card feature since I started writing these columns just before Thanksgiving. So get your reading glasses out and ready your mouse and scroll down for some truly wonderful words to read.

The Redskins control their own destiny!!!

Simply amazing that the Redskins, seemingly dead just over a month ago, are now in a position to actually make the post season. And I know the critics (myself being amongst that group at times) will point to the 8-7 record and say this is an indicator of a weak NFC. And of course, they would be right.

However that does not lessen the accomplishments that these Redskins have done. A 3 game winning streak, beating playoff contenders in each of them, twice on the road, is nothing to sneeze at. This team has saved their season when everyone, including most of us Redskin fans, had counted them out. And you can credit one man for that, Joe Gibbs.

After the Buffalo loss, even the most ardent supporter of Joe Gibbs had thought that he was in danger of losing the team. You saw the start of those anonymous quotes in the paper about the two timeout ending. Gibbs could have just decided right then and there that the game had passed him bye and just finished out the season and retired. And if he did that, could anyone have blamed him? But true leaders don’t quit, they endure.

And endure is what Gibbs and the redskins have done. In Week 1 we lost our starting Right Tackle Jon Jansen for the year. In week 2 we lost our starting right guard Randy Thomas for what was essentially the year. In week 8 Redskins starting corner Carlos Rogers went down for the season and possibly half of 2009. In week 10 Redskins Starting Safety Sean Taylor went down with a knee injury and was tragically shot in his home and killed a few weeks later. In week 14 Starting Quarterback Jason Campbell was lost for the rest of at least the regular season with a knee injury. In week 15 starting linebacker Rocky McIntosh went down for not only the remainder of this season but most if not all of next. And of course there were the normal missed games and injuries in an NFL franchise with key contributors like Santana Moss, Antwaan Randle-El, Casey Rabach, Todd Wade, Pierson Prioleau, Cornellius Griffen, and Marcus Washington all succumbing to injury at points during the season.

Now with one more week to go the Redskins host their hated rival, the Dallas Cowboys, for a regular season finale with much on the line. I for one do not buy that Dallas will roll over and play dead for the Redskins. Every down, every yard, will be hard fought. Even if some of the starters are ruled out of the game, the backups are all NFL Vets. Vets like Brad Johnson who would love to enact revenge on a franchise that spurned him. More importantly the Redskins don’t know who to game plan for and will not have tape on their opponents. Lastly Dallas will face the Redskins again in the playoffs if the Redskins survive round 1, and if I am Dallas I rather get rid of us now.

After all, they are still Dallas and we are still the Redskins, they will bring their best, and so should we.

So the only thing the Redskins can do on Sunday is come out and line up across the field and will their way to a win. Do whatever it takes and play perfect football, just like they have done the last three weeks. Defy expectations and once again do the fan base proud. To the winner of the game goes glory, and for the Redskins, a chance to continue fighting back the night.

So with that in mind, here is how we stand:

NFC East: Dallas (13-2)
NFC North: Green Bay (12-3)
NFC West: Seattle (10-5)
NFC South: Tampa Bay (9-6)
Wildcard #1: NY Giants (10-5)
Wildcard #2: Washington (8-7)

The Pack:
Minnesota (8-7)
New Orleans (7-8)

Slots 1-5 are locked and set. Everyone else has been eliminated from playoff contention in the NFC. The Redskins can get in with a win (Dallas), or a loss by Minnesota (@ Denver) & New Orleans (@ Chicago). The Vikings need to win and the Redskins to lose to get in. The Saints need to win and the Vikings & Saints both to lose.

So here is your last rooting card for the 2007 season in order of kickoff:

New Orleans Saints (7-8) @ Chicago Bears (7-8). If we lose to Dallas, we need New Orleans to lose for us to make the playoffs. Go Bears!!!

Minnesota Vikings (8-7) @ Denver Broncos (6-9). This game wont matter at all to the Redskins if New Orleans wins, but if they lose and the Vikings lose, then we are in, regardless of the outcome of the Dallas game. Go Broncos!!

Dallas Cowboys (13-2) @ Washington Redskins (8-7). Regardless of the outcomes above, a win over Dallas is always sweet. Go Redskins!!!

So on to the game. One last week for playoff glory or an off-season of “what ifs”.

As Always HTTR!!

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Playoff Rooting Card: Week 16

And then there were five.

As the dust settles on this weekend’s contest the NFC playoff picture has come into focus. Sharp focus for the Washington Redskins. With the Minnesota win last night, Philadelphia, Arizona, & Detroit, all sheik pre-season playoff picks, have been eliminated from playoff contention. The five teams that remain alive are the NY Giants (9-5), Minnesota Vikings (8-6), New Orleans Saints (7-7), Washington Redskins (7-7), & Carolina Panthers (6-8).

By virtue of their win over the NY Giants the redskins have put themselves in decent position to make a playoff run. However these last two wins have not come without a heavy price in blood. Jason Campbell was lost for most likely the rest of the year in our win against Chicago and Rocky McIntosh was lost for this season, and perhaps next. Add this to Season ending injuries to starters Jon Jansen, Randy Thomas, Carlos Rogers and the untimely tragedy of Sean Taylor and that makes 6 starters down for the season. Currently the Redskins have more players on IR then wins, and that is never good. Add in the nagging injuries to other players and it is a miracle this team is currently at .500.

No one would blame this team if they had quit playing after Taylor’s death and subsequent heartbreaking loss to Buffalo the following Sunday. However this team continues to play hard each week. That is a credit to Coach Gibbs. I know a lot of us can get on him for some of the stupidest game management in modern sports history, but as a leader, Joe Gibbs is beyond compare. His players really want to win, not just for himself, but for him. And only coach Gibbs could keep this team together after the tragedy and injuries this team has suffered.

So remarkably the Redskins are still in the hunt for the last playoff spot; however they do not control their own destiny. Let’s take a look at the standings:

NFC East: Dallas Cowboys (12-2)
NFC North: Green Bay Packers (12-2)
NFC West: Seattle Seahawks (9-5)
NFC South: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-5)
Wildcard #1: NY Giants (9-5, 7-5)
Wildcard #2: Minnesota Vikings (8-6, 6-5)

The Pack
New Orleans Saints (7-7, 6-4)
Washington Redskins (7-7, 5-5)
Carolina Panthers (6-8, 6-4)

Though the Redskins do not control their own destiny, they aren’t total long shots either. Here are the scenarios that need to happen for the Redskins to make the playoffs.

If the Redskins win out and receive a 9-7:

New Orleans to lose one of their last two (PHI, @ CHI) OR NY Giants to lose both of their last remaining games (@ BUF, NE)

If The Redskins Beat Minnesota but lose to Dallas and finish 8-8:

New Orleans must lose both its last games (PHI, @CHI) AND
Minnesota must lose its last game of the season (DEN) AND
Carolina must lose one of its last two games (DAL, @TB)

If the Redskins lose to Minnesota, they will be mathematically eliminated from playoff contention.

Not the worst odds in the world, but not the best. If this was poker The NY Giants and Vikings would both have three of a kind, the Saints would be drawing to a flush draw, the Redskins to an open ended straight, and Panthers need one card to get a straight flush. The flop has been dealt and the turn and river are about to come. We have two chances to get what we need, but there are cards in the deck that would kill us there and then. It’s anybody’s hand, but some have better shots then others.

So with that in Mind, here is your rooting Card for this week:

Dallas Cowboys (12-2) at Carolina Panthers (6-8). Those pesky panthers have been hanging around, and their NFC record would be our undoing. I rather not have them face a Tampa team with nothing to win for in the last week of the season so as much as I hate it, I got to root for the Cowboys. Go Cowboys!!

Philadelphia Eagles (6-8) at New Orleans Saints (7-7). Probably the best hope we have for a Saints loss is this game. I hate to root for the Eagles, but if that means we get in, so be it. Go Eagles!!

NY Giants (9-5) at Buffalo Bills (7-7). I also hate to root for the mullet head, muscle shirted, flannel wearing, stubble faced, and toothless fans of Buffalo. And the male fans are worse. But I honestly think the Giants losing two straight is more of a probability then the Saints losing one. Go Bills!!

Washington Redskins (7-7) at Minnesota Vikings (8-6). After spending two days rooting for the three teams I hate the most, if the Redskins lose this game I may just have to go purge my body of all memories by banging my head into a rock. Go Redskins!!

That is it. 4 games this week. The time for excuses ends. We either win or start planning our winter plans and look forward to draft positioning. However I will leave you with this hopeful thought. It is quite possible that if things fall the right way (Redskins, Buffalo, Dallas, all win this week) that we could be playing the Dallas Cowboys next week, in Fed Ex, with a ton on the line. With one win we could eliminate the Giants and take away home-field advantage from the Cowboys. I can’t think of a better way to ring in the New Year.

But first things first, let’s hope the Redskins give us an early Christmas present and win against the Vikings.

As always. HTTR!!!!

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Playoff Rooting Card: Week 15

It is nice to finally write one of these things after a Redskins win. The last 4 or so have been written after losses, and to make it worse I had to watch just about every other team lose as well. After this last week’s win the redskins are really in position to make a serious run at the playoffs over the next 3 weeks. Unfortunately that run will be on the strength of Todd Collins Arm. Jason Campbell went down with a dislocated knee cap and may be available in the playoffs.

That is if we make it. The redskins have three remaining games left, @ NY Giants, @ Minnesota Vikings, and then we host Dallas for the final game of the year. Despite winning and having a lot of match ups go our way, the Redskins do not quite control their own destiny. Even if we win out, we need help to get in. However the situation is not quite as bleak as it was last week.

So here is how it stands right now:

NFC East: Dallas Cowboys 12-1
NFC North: Green Bay Packers 11-2
NFC West: Seattle Seahawks 9-4
NFC South: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 8-5
Wildcard #1: NY Giants 9-4 (7-4)
Wildcard #2: Minnesota Vikings 7-6 (5-5)

The Pack

New Orleans Saints 6-7 (5-4)
Washington Redskins 6-7 (4-5)
Arizona Cardinals 6-7 (3-6)
Detroit Lions 6-7 (4-7)
Carolina Panthers 5-8 (5-4)
Philadelphia Eagles 5-8 (3-7)
Chicago Bears 5-8 (2-7)

Here are the likely scenarios for the redskins making the playoffs:

If the Redskins win out and have a final record of 9-7, the following must happen: Either the New Orleans Saints must lose 1 of their last 3 games (AZ, PHI, @ CHI) or the NY Giants must lose all of their last 3 games (WAS, @ BUF, NE). The Redskins own h2h tie breakers over Arizona & Detroit, and if they win out they will own one against Minnesota (who till also drop to at most 9-7). New Orleans has a better NFC Record and we need them to lose one more game. However if the Giants lose all of their last games (not out of the question since besides us they play a surging Buffalo team and unstoppable Patriots) then we own a tiebreaker over them in common games (GB, NYJ, MIA, DET, MN, CHI, BUF, NE) because we will have beaten Minnesota and they didn’t..

If the Redskins finish 8-8 then all of the following must happen: In addition to losing to the Redskins, Minnesota must lose one of its other two games (CHI, @ DEN). New Orleans (AZ, PHI, @ CHI) would need to lose 2 of their last 3 games. Arizona (@NO, ATL, STL), Detroit (@SD, KC, @GB), & Carolina (SEA, DAL, @TB) would each need to lose 1 more game. The Redskins will have h2h tiebreakers over Chicago and either Division Record or Common Game tiebreakers over Philadelphia.

The Redskins have the luxury of playing on Sunday Night the next two weeks and we will know some of our situation going into the games. So it is quite possible the Redskins will control their own destiny at the time they take the field on Sunday night. Here are the match ups to watch this week:

Arizona Cardinals (6-7) @ New Orleans Saints (6-7). This is the most important game on the schedule this week besides our game. In my opinion this is the hardest game on New Orleans remaining schedule and our best hope to control our own destiny. Go Cardinals!!

Seattle Seahawks (9-4) @ Carolina Panthers (5-8). I doubt Carolina can run the table but if we stumble I don’t want to have them to worry about. Go Seahawks!!

Detroit Lions (6-7) @ San Diego Chargers (8-5). If we go 8-8 I rather have Detroit out of the picture. Come on Norv; do us some good for a change. Go Chargers!!

Chicago Bears (6-7) @ Minnesota Vikings (7-6). This happens on Monday night and we will know the outcome of our game by then. Either way I want Minnesota to lose to give us some breathing room. Go Bears!!

Washington Redskins @ NY Giants A win by the giants assures them a playoff spot, a win by us gives us a great chance to get in. Go Redskins!!

I have figured out that each week I do this thread I am doing myself mental harm. The permutations are so taxing I end up losing stuff I learned long ago. Last week I lost the ability to conjugate Spanish verbs in the past tense. This week I strangely can’t remember the name of my first pet. This much is for certain, I will be doing another one of these next week.

As always HTTR!!

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Playoff Rooting Card: Week 14

Ok I admit it. After four straight losses and the death of Sean Taylor I was sick of doing this feature. Especially considering that when I started it the Redskins were 5-3 and in position to not only challenge for a wildcard, but possibly the NFC East. At 5-7 the team was going nowhere fast; they played with little life and little confidence. I seriously wondered whether the Redskins would win a game again this season. And my frustration grew when I saw that each week almost every other game went the way we needed it to break.

So I decided to cheat. I decided that if the Redskins won on Thursday against Chicago, only then would I continue this column. Its times like these I really hate being a Redskin fan. And especially one who likes to write about his team the following week. First the Redskins torture me be flirting with wins for four weeks and finding the most amazing ways to lose games. Now they finally win and most likely Jason Campbell goes down for the season. And of course the unspeakable tragedy of Sean Taylor being taken from us.

It is pure masochism being a Redskin fan.

And part of that torture is the false hope of a playoff run late in December. Because once again we are in position if a few breaks go our way to be in the hunt for the final playoff spot in the NFC. Here is how it stands right now (including last night’s results):

NFC East Champ: Dallas (11-1)
NFC North Champs: Green Bay (10-2)
NFC West Champs: Seattle (8-4)
NFC South Champs: Tampa Bay (8-4)
Wildcard #1: NY Giants (8-4)
Wildcard #2: Detroit (6-6, 4-6)

The Pack:

Minnesota (6-6, 4-5)
Arizona (6-6, 3-5)
Washington (6-7, 4-5)
New Orleans (5-7, 4-4)
Philadelphia (5-7, 3-6)
Carolina (5-7, 5-4)
Chicago (5-8, 2-7)

Washington has head to head tiebreakers over Arizona, Detroit, & Chicago. Washington has the opportunity to get a head to head victory over Minnesota in two weeks. The Redskins are in a good position if they can run the table, but still need losses from New Orleans and Carolina due to their better NFC record.

Now I know many of you will say that Washington does not deserve a playoff spot. But I defy you to point to a team fighting for the last spot that does. Detroit has lost 4 straight and look like they might now win another game all season. Minnesota is a one note team with a horrible defense and quarterback. Arizona is a constant disappointment and underachieving team. New Orleans is the Cybil of the NFL up one week, down the next. Philadelphia is a plain horrible football team. Carolina’s best QB is older then Methuselah. And of course Chicago, we saw them last night.

So here is the Rooting card for this weekend:

Dallas Cowboys (11-1) at Detroit Lions (6-6) Ok it is hard to root for the Cowboys, but Detroit is a streaky team. We need them to get a loss, and I rather it be sooner then later. And Cowboy fans were some of the best in the nation when Taylor passed. I will save my hate for them week 17. Go Cowboys!!

Carolina Panthers (5-7) at Jacksonville Jaguars (8-4) I get a little scared with Carolina’s good NFC record, so putting them at 8 losses helps Go Jacksonville!!

NY Giants (8-4) at Philadelphia Eagles (5-7). Only a total collapse will get the NY Giants out of the playoffs. So I am hoping that they win against the eagles so we can catch them sleeping next week. Go Giants!!

Arizona Cardinals (6-6) at Seattle Seahawks (8-4). Ok we need a Cardinals loss here and this is the most likely on their schedule. Go Seahawks!!

Minnesota Vikings (6-6) at SF 49ers (3-9). Though we have a game against them, I wouldn’t mind them getting another loss here. Go 49ers!!

New Orleans Saints (5-7) at Atlanta Falcons (3-9) We need a NO loss. Their schedule is easy and they have a better NFC record. Go Falcons!!

As always HTTR!!

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