National Football League

Washington Redskins Loss Complicates NFC Playoff Picture

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 8:55 p.m. ET

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Dec 4, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Washington Redskins cornerback Josh Norman (24) breaks up a pass intended for Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Floyd (15) during the first half at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

The Washington Redskins are currently on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoff hunt. What can we expect going into the final four weeks of the season?

Going into Sunday’s game against the Cardinals, the Redskins were slated as the sixth seed in the NFC playoffs and were in control of their destiny. Now? Not so much.

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The Redskins’ loss to another NFC team fighting for a wild card spot, the Arizona Cardinals, makes the playoff pictures significantly less clear. Currently, the team is station at 7th place in the conference, leaving them on the outside looking in.

The Redskins’ path to the playoffs will have to come in the form of a wild card berth, as the Dallas Cowboys clinched the NFC East on Sunday. As it stands, the New York Giants (8-4) sit at the five seed, and 1.5 games ahead of the Redskins in the division.

Nov 13, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cameron Brate (84) against the Chicago Bears at Raymond James Stadium. The Buccaneers won 36-10. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Buccaneers, Vikings, Packers Also Vying for Berth

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ win over the Chargers on Sunday brought them to 7-5 on the season. For now, that is half a game ahead of the 6-5-1 Redskins. The Buccaneers are tied for the division lead in the NFC South with the Falcons, who also sit at 7-5. To make the playoffs, the Redskins will likely need to finish with a better record than one of these teams.

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Teams such as the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers are hot on the Redskins’ heels. Both teams sit at 6-6, and are still competitive in the NFC North. The division is currently led by the Detroit Lions (8-4).

While nervous fans would normally be comforted by the fact that the Redskins have defeated both of these teams, meaning that Washington would edge either of those teams out if they finished with the same record, that scenario is highly unlikely. Unless Green Bay or Minnesota tie in the next 4 weeks, there will be no playoff tiebreaker scenario. It is imperative that the Redskins maintain, if not widen, their 0.5 game lead over both of those teams.

Finally, the Cardinals (5-6-1) are still in the mix. That will ensure that the Redskins have to fight off a lot of competition moving forward, but they may be able to do it.

Oct 23, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) warms up before the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Redskins’ Favorable Upcoming Schedule

Luckily, the Redskins’ toughest games appear to be behind them. Their upcoming slate to finish the season features facing the Eagles (5-7) on the road, coming home to take on the Panthers (4-8), traveling to play the Bears (3-9), and finishing the season at home against the Giants (8-4). The Redskins beat both the Eagles and Giants earlier in the season.

Neither the Bears nor Panthers look particularly formidable. It is not wild to think that the Redskins could run the table and finish 10-5-1. That record would likely be good enough for a playoff spot. However, the Arizona game proves that the Skins have struggled to close out against middling teams, so nothing should be taken for granted. The most important game is Week 17’s home match against the Giants: a wild card berth could be at stake.

Dec 1, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford (8) throws during the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

What About The Competition?

Looking at the competition’s schedules is promising as well. Tampa Bay has two games against the Saints (5-7), one against Panthers, and a tough matchup against the Cowboys (11-1). The Buccaneers are in control of their own destiny — if they win out than they will make the playoffs at 11-5.

However, that will be difficult to do, especially considering that they will face the seemingly indestructible Cowboys. Ironically, Redskins fans must hope for a Cowboys victory in that game, and it would be immensely helpful for the Bucs to drop another game as well. Of course, the Redskins need to win at least 3 of their games too.

As for the Vikings and Packers, the picture complicates further. The Packers face a tougher upcoming slate. They must take on two winning teams in the Seahawks and Lions, a .500 team and wild card rival in Minnesota, and the mediocre Bears. Considering that they have to win at least 3 in most scenarios, their playoff path seems less likely than that of the Redskins or Buccaneers.

The Vikings, on the other hand, face an objectively easy slate: Jacksonville, Indianapolis, Green Bay, Chicago. If they win out, which is entirely possible, they could be the 6-seed. The Packers-Vikings contest in Week 16 will be very important in determining the Redskins postseason status.

Nov 13, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins head coach Jay Gruden walks off the field after the game against the Minnesota Vikings at FedEx Field. The Washington Redskins won 26 – 20. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Conclusion: Hopes Very Much Alive

Essentially, the Redskins are still in solid position to make the playoffs. Fans should not panic, but no one should be complacent. The Skins are not technically in control of their own destiny, although winning out seems like it would be enough.

The Upshot, the New York Times’ statistical website, currently gives the Redskins a 51 percent chance of making the playoffs. The wild card race starts Sunday against the Eagles. The Redskins pretty much need to win to stay near the top of the hunt.

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