Redskins Stand to Prosper From Tie

[hogs86]

I think this is a good article from the Washington Post.

A celebration erupted along the Washington Redskins' sideline when Arizona kicker Neil Rackers missed a 55-yard field goal attempt with two seconds remaining in Washington's 21-19 victory on Oct. 21. The ball sailed inches wide of the left upright and that small margin could provide the difference in a playoff berth for the Redskins.

If the Redskins and Cardinals finish in a tie for one of the NFC's six playoff spots, the Redskins would advance because of Rackers's unsuccessful kick. The Redskins also have a victory over the Detroit Lions, giving them a tiebreaker against another potential challenger for a wild-card berth.




Link http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/20/AR2007112001874.html

[wewantdallas]

All that's good to know, but it's all meaningless unless we start a winning streak, starting with Tampa Bay this week. Until we put two wins together back to back at LEAST, I'm going to be pulling a Jim Mora on any playoff talk.

[JsMaViSd]

"Playoooofffs"

god thats so classic lol

But just like the Lions and Cardinals are NEEDED wins, so is this win vs Tampa, another wild card team..

[redskin_rich]

"Playoooofffs"

god thats so classic lol

But just like the Lions and Cardinals are NEEDED wins, so is this win vs Tampa, another wild card team..

Tampa won't be a wild card, they will win their division and believe it or not, this is not a must-win game.

[CNYSkinFan]

Tampa won't be a wild card, they will win their division and believe it or not, this is not a must-win game.
well, it is in terms of positioning and NFC record. The real not must win game IMO is Buffalo.

[wewantdallas]

Tampa won't be a wild card, they will win their division and believe it or not, this is not a must-win game.

I don't know, man, when you have to go at least 4-2 (and maybe 5-1) the rest of the way to have a shot and are coming off a two game losing streak, both of 'em division heartbreakers, I'd say this is most definitely a must-win, especially with the Giants and Cowboys on the horizon again.

[openallnight]

I don't know, man, when you have to go at least 4-2 (and maybe 5-1) the rest of the way to have a shot and are coming off a two game losing streak, both of 'em division heartbreakers, I'd say this is most definitely a must-win, especially with the Giants and Cowboys on the horizon again.

I agree WWD. If we had taken care of matters at home as we should have we wouldn't be in the position where this is a must win. As it stands right now we are out of the playoffs. From here on out every game especially every conference game is a must win.

[redskin_rich]

well, it is in terms of positioning and NFC record. The real not must win game IMO is Buffalo.

I know all that, my point is that we probably won't need a head-to-head tiebreaker with Tampa, since they will likely win their division.

[SpicyMcHaggis]

It's not necessarily a must win game, but if we lose we put ourselves in a tough spot (we would have to win either at New York or against the Cowboys, and then win all the other games). And we would have to hope that nobody except the Giants does better than 9-7 (which I don't think they will).

[JsMaViSd]

i myself dont see the Giants taking that number 1 wild card slot, i see us taking it..

there going to go down the toilet here real fast, as for us, we have our best football yet to play

[SpicyMcHaggis]

i myself dont see the Giants taking that number 1 wild card slot, i see us taking it..

there going to go down the toilet here real fast, as for us, we have our best football yet to play
And this is based on what?

[JsMaViSd]

And this is based on what?

how they looked like week vs the Lions and the injuries that are piling up for them

[Skinz4lyfe]

how they looked like week vs the Lions and the injuries that are piling up for them

That may be true but they still found a way to win on the road against a team in a similar position (trying to secure a playoff spot). Plus they've already come into FedEx and beaten us. Bottom line for the Redskins, we have to take care of business starting Sunday. No excuses. Just get out there and win the game!

[hogskins]

i myself dont see the Giants taking that number 1 wild card slot, i see us taking it..

there going to go down the toilet here real fast, as for us, we have our best football yet to play

It's WAY too early to base our hopes on somebody else collapsing. I think that we need to beat Tampa. (regardless of tie-breakers) and should plan on beating the Giants, although we've probably had our best chance at that already....

[silverspring]

Every game is a must win at this point. We will have problems with the cowboys and giants so I think we have to plan on winning every other game. We desperately need a win against tampa to start rolling. I think we can beat tampa and the bills. It is hard to imagine winning 3 games in a row but randy thomas should be back for the chicago game and that might be a big boost.

[Dolla Bill]

Every game is a must win. Regardless of the time of the year.

[redskin_rich]

Obviously, we want the Skins to win every game but it's not the end of the world if they don't beat Tampa this week. I picked us at 4-2 the rest of the way. If we beat Tampa, I'd change that to 5-1, as this is one of the two losses I predict.

We can get in the playoffs at 10-6, 9-7 and very possibly at 8-8.

[CNYSkinFan]

And this is based on what?
because we have already played our worst football?

[SpicyMcHaggis]

because we have already played our worst football?

The offense very probably has. As for the defense.....

[Keino]

Rich, I think you are on to something. Fortunately, we have beaten the teams that it appears we are contending with for spot 6 in the playoff tournament.

It also is looking like we will have Randy Thomas back for the Giants game on December 16. If that's the case, I like our chances at going 4-2. I don't think Dallas is playing for much by week 17, but we MUST beat the inferior teams on the schedule......Buffalo, Minnesota and Chicago and then we have to take at least one of the 3 remaining games (Bucs, Giants or Cowboys). Obviously winning out can get us to the 5th spot in the playoffs.

After looking at the standings this morning, I do feel much better about our chances to make the playoffs.

[JoeJacksonTaylor28]

Rich, I think you are on to something. Fortunately, we have beaten the teams that it appears we are contending with for spot 6 in the playoff tournament.

It also is looking like we will have Randy Thomas back for the Giants game on December 16. If that's the case, I like our chances at going 4-2. I don't think Dallas is playing for much by week 17, but we MUST beat the inferior teams on the schedule......Buffalo, Minnesota and Chicago and then we have to take at least one of the 3 remaining games (Bucs, Giants or Cowboys). Obviously winning out can get us to the 5th spot in the playoffs.

After looking at the standings this morning, I do feel much better about our chances to make the playoffs.
I hate saying this, but probably we need the girls to beat the Packers so they don't have anything to play for come week 17.

[Keino]

I hate saying this, but probably we need the girls to beat the Packers so they don't have anything to play for come week 17.

Not me. I kind of hope they are playing for something. Winning under that scenario is much sweeter to me.

Im hoping that the Pats are still undefeated so that they have something to play for against the Giants in that same week.

None of it means anything if we aren't in control of our destiny at that point.

[SpicyMcHaggis]

Rich, I think you are on to something. Fortunately, we have beaten the teams that it appears we are contending with for spot 6 in the playoff tournament.

It also is looking like we will have Randy Thomas back for the Giants game on December 16. If that's the case, I like our chances at going 4-2. I don't think Dallas is playing for much by week 17, but we MUST beat the inferior teams on the schedule......Buffalo, Minnesota and Chicago and then we have to take at least one of the 3 remaining games (Bucs, Giants or Cowboys). Obviously winning out can get us to the 5th spot in the playoffs.

After looking at the standings this morning, I do feel much better about our chances to make the playoffs.
Are we sure that the Bills are an inferior team? We'll have the advantage of playing at home, but they are 5-5 (like us) and have played New England twice and Dallas once. They have also suffered two unbelievably tough losses: Denver in Week 1 and the Cowboys in Week 5. They are much better than what I would have imagined at the beginning of the year.
I think that game and the Bears game will be tougher than people imagine, but if we play well, we should be able to win both.

[redskin_rich]

Are we sure that the Bills are an inferior team? We'll have the advantage of playing at home, but they are 5-5 (like us) and have played New England twice and Dallas once. They have also suffered two unbelievably tough losses: Denver in Week 1 and the Cowboys in Week 5. They are much better than what I would have imagined at the beginning of the year.
I think that game and the Bears game will be tougher than people imagine, but if we play well, we should be able to win both.
There are no gimmie's but it is a home game for us and one we, as fans, should expect to win. That game starts the real run for the postseason, IMO. Home against Buffalo on Sunday, home again that Thursday against Chicago (and don't underestimate the advantage of being home on a short week) then a long 10 days to prepare for our trip to the Giants. That 3-game stretch will define our team. Hopefully, we are on a roll, finish the season right by defeating Dallass in our house and enter the playoffs with lots of momentum going our way.

If we continue to play spotty, win, lose, lose, win, whatever... The we don't deserve to make the playoffs anyway.
Right now, we still have firm control of our destiny and at Thanksgiving, that is what every fan of every team wants their team to have.

[GWBlitzST]

When Thomas comes back healthy we have a playoff caliber offense. When Taylor comes back if we play like we did in the first half of the Cowboys game and show some different looks and blitz some our defense is also playoff caliber now that Washington is healthy.

[SkinsfaninNJ]

At least the Packers did there part today for us.

[BandWagon]

The only thing I know is this. We're 3-5 over the last 8 games and have showed no indication whatsoever we can put anything resembling consistency on the field and put a winning streak together. The basic identity of this team needs to change, permanently, now.

[JoeDaSchmoe]

If we win on Sunday, we've got that #6 spot.

Not that I'm excited or anything.

[give_portis_the_rock]

Call me delusional but I think we have a good shot at winning out. The supposed "NFC contenders" -- Dallas, Green Bay, and the Giants -- had a very hard time beating us, and basically we needed to make mistakes to bail them out (Ladell not punching it in at the goal line, Santana's fumble returned for a TD, Jason throwing into good coverage instead of tucking and running, etc.). Sooner or later our luck's gotta turn.

Tampa is a bad team in an even worse division -- I expect us to win by a two score margin or this Skins team is NOT what I THOUGHT they were!

[JoeJacksonTaylor28]

Call me delusional but I think we have a good shot at winning out. The supposed "NFC contenders" -- Dallas, Green Bay, and the Giants -- had a very hard time beating us, and basically we needed to make mistakes to bail them out (Ladell not punching it in at the goal line, Santana's fumble returned for a TD, Jason throwing into good coverage instead of tucking and running, etc.). Sooner or later our luck's gotta turn.

Tampa is a bad team in an even worse division -- I expect us to win by a two score margin or this Skins team is NOT what I THOUGHT they were!
Ok, delusional :)

The problem with this is that we always find a way to make the game close, and almost always to lose it. If that doesn't change, we're not going anywhere.

Tampa is not a great, but I also don't think they are definitely bad, and they are playing at home. It will be a tough game.

[SpicyMcHaggis]

Ok, delusional :)

The problem with this is that we always find a way to make the game close, and almost always to lose it. If that doesn't change, we're not going anywhere.

Tampa is not a great, but I also don't think they are definitely bad, and they are playing at home. It will be a tough game.

Tampa is 4-1 at home, and their only loss is by 1 point. I don't see how by any stretch of the imagination they can be called "bad".

[give_portis_the_rock]

Tampa is 4-1 at home, and their only loss is by 1 point. I don't see how by any stretch of the imagination they can be called "bad".

You gotta look at the teams they're playing, don't you?
NFC south. Two 4-6 teams and a 3-8 team. If they were in the NFC east they would definitely be at the bottom of the division.

[SpicyMcHaggis]

You gotta look at the teams they're playing, don't you?
NFC south. Two 4-6 teams and a 3-8 team. If they were in the NFC east they would definitely be at the bottom of the division.
May I remind you that of our 5 wins, 2 have come in OT against a 0-10 and a 2-9 team, plus a miraculous win at home against the Cardinals. So far the only team we've beaten that has a winning record is the Lions, and I don't think that will last very long.
You have no evidence whatsoever that if they were in the NFC East they would be worse than us or than the Eagles.
I'm not saying we will certainly lose. Not at all. We may very well blow them out. But to say that "they are bad" is meaningless.

[jtovb2005]

You gotta look at the teams they're playing, don't you?
NFC south. Two 4-6 teams and a 3-8 team. If they were in the NFC east they would definitely be at the bottom of the division.

I don't believe we have to look at any of the teams we have left to play or have played this year. We have had to opportunity to win each game with the exception of New England, however OUR team has not been consistent enough to do it. They have been very inconsistent. That is the issue each game the rest of the way out if you ask me. Each game is more than winnable we just need the A team to play more of each game than they have been all year.

[Keino]

Are we sure that the Bills are an inferior team? We'll have the advantage of playing at home, but they are 5-5 (like us) and have played New England twice and Dallas once. They have also suffered two unbelievably tough losses: Denver in Week 1 and the Cowboys in Week 5. They are much better than what I would have imagined at the beginning of the year.
I think that game and the Bears game will be tougher than people imagine, but if we play well, we should be able to win both.

Those are games we should win and if we plan on playing in the post-season, then we must win them. The Bills are inferior and 2 of their wins are against the Jets, while they have one against Miami, Cinci and Balt. Far from impressive. Not that any of our wins are especially impressive, we are a better team than the Bills and have played a tougher schedule if you ask me.

[Lavar703]

I really want to talk post-season but I just dont know yet. Jason Campbell was amazing last week with the exception of that interception, but was it a product of desperation by the coaching staff realizing the season is falling down around us or was it just the Redskins and Cowboys like usual. If Jason Campbell plays the way he has the past two weeks the rest of the season than anythings possible, but we cant abandon Portis either. I really think were a playoff team, but thats more a product of the awful NFC rather than the Skins just being a well rounded team. The way I look at it though, no matter who comes out the victor of the NFC, there just one of many teams who is going to be destroyed by the Patriots.

[JoeJacksonTaylor28]

Ok, delusional :)

The problem with this is that we always find a way to make the game close, and almost always to lose it. If that doesn't change, we're not going anywhere.

Tampa is not a great, but I also don't think they are definitely bad, and they are playing at home. It will be a tough game.

Sometimes I hate to have to quote myself.

[NCskinsfanatic]

Plus even after Philly loses to NE, we're still gonna be tied with them, Minny and NO and now a game behind Det and probably Arz after this afternoon.

[SpicyMcHaggis]

Plus even after Philly loses to NE, we're still gonna be tied with them, Minny and NO and now a game behind Det and probably Arz after this afternoon.

The NFC is a mess. And we are not in a very good position.

[Skins3]

this would actually hurt them you want a better draft pick then you dont want tiebreakers