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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