Is it possible to have five must win games? Yes.

[Destino]

I don't see us making a real charge for the division title at this point so what we have is this:

Rank Team Record Conf. Record
5) Tampa 8-3 (7-2)
6) Redskins 7-4 (6-3)
7) Atlanta 7-4 (5-3)
8) Cowboys 7-4 (5-4)
9) Vikings 6-5 (4-3)

Any loss in the next 5 games could result in us immediately being replaced for the last remaining playoff spot.

Anyone know if Joe Gibbs is available to talk to this team? We need one of those strong finishes this year. There is no room between us and the teams looking to take our seat. None.

[Mr. S]

5 IN A ROW OR WE DON'T GO!!!

well, maybe 6 in a row? I hate how competitive the NFC is all of a sudden. Finishing 10-6 is just not good enough this season. However, aside from the Giants at home, the schedule looks very manageable. Plus, I still think we'll beat the Giants.

[Rdskn4Lyf21]

We have 3 conference games left: NYG, PHI, and SF.

Being myself, I'd say we are going 3-0 in those. Worst comes to worst I believe we'll be 2-1.

Measuring that up with the rest of the records for those in competition for that last wild-card spot I'd say we should be sitting pretty when the dust settles.

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

Is it possible to have five must win games?

Were already into that.

It was six. One down, five to go. The margin for error is MINIMAL!

Excellent start tonight. Bring on the Giants!

Hail.

[hail2theskins3]

I think we could afford to lose a game. Not a whole lot of teams are going to win the rest of their games. As long as we win at least 2 out of our 3 remaining NFC game, we should be in good shape.

[MONTEY]

I think we could afford to lose a game. Not a whole lot of teams are going to win the rest of their games. As long as we win at least 2 out of our 3 remaining NFC game, we should be in good shape.

Which 2? I say the Eagles and perhaps the 49ers.

we will not beat the Giants.

[SIXX99]

I don't see us making a real charge for the division title at this point so what we have is this:

Rank Team Record Conf. Record
5) Tampa 8-3 (7-2)
6) Redskins 7-4 (6-3)
7) Atlanta 7-4 (5-3)
8) Cowboys 7-4 (5-4)
9) Vikings 6-5 (4-3)

Any loss in the next 5 games could result in us immediately being replaced for the last remaining playoff spot.

Anyone know if Joe Gibbs is available to talk to this team? We need one of those strong finishes this year. There is no room between us and the teams looking to take our seat. None.
Well December has been a good month for us in the past so hopefully that will continue. And hopefully we can pull the upset over NY.

[hail2theskins3]

Which 2? I say the Eagles and perhaps the 49ers.

we will not beat the Giants.

What makes you think we won't beat the Giants? I don't think we're gonna wipe them out, but I also think we have a real good chance at winning. ST was teammate of just about everyone on the team and was shot and killed about a year ago and he's getting put into the Ring of Fame. If we play really good only one more time this season, it'll be against the Giants.

[renaissance]

We are a lot farther along than I thought we would be at this point in the season but damn can't we get to the home stretch and not have to win out for once????

This is all on the shoulders of Mr. Zorn and his team though. Nobody controls our destiny but us (I think).

[TheLongshot]

Dallas still has to play the Giants, Pittsburgh and Baltimore. Also, winning at Philly is not a gimmy by any means.

Atlanta have to play San Diego and NO on the road and Carolina and Tampa at home.

Tampa also has to play San Diego, NO and Carolina and Atlanta.

I doubt that any of those teams are going to run the table of those teams. (Particularly since two play each other.)

[Thirtyfive2seven]

I'm ready to support the team, win or lose through the next 5 games. No matter what.

Skins > Giants! Lets get ready guys. It's time to step it up as fans :)

[Darth Tater]

Dallas still has to play the Giants, Pittsburgh and Baltimore. Also, winning at Philly is not a gimmy by any means.

Atlanta have to play San Diego and NO on the road and Carolina and Tampa at home.

Tampa also has to play San Diego, NO and Carolina and Atlanta.

I doubt that any of those teams are going to run the table of those teams. (Particularly since two play each other.)
I didn't realize that the Bronco loss today, how import a SD win tonight might be for us.

[DieHard86]

so tampa, atlanta, dallas, minnesota are gonna run the table? its impossible to guess how this is going to play out

[Voice_of_Reason]

Other teams will lose games too. They need to get to 10-6, and will probably make the playoffs. The Cowboys still have Pittsburgh and NYG... shrug. It should be ok with 10 wins.

[1972FAN]

Its definetly not a cliché, you lose, your out.

[BuddyLeeGhostHunter]

10 will get us there.

We can lose to NY and Baltimore as long as we win the rest.

[DjTj]

Any loss in the next 5 games could result in us immediately being replaced for the last remaining playoff spot.

Anyone know if Joe Gibbs is available to talk to this team? We need one of those strong finishes this year. There is no room between us and the teams looking to take our seat. None.So, what you're saying is ... paloffs is now? :idea:

[Bacon]

We need to win the three remaining conference games, at the very least.

[Special K]

I don't see the other wildcard contenders winning out. This is not to say that we don't need to win these last 5 regular season games, but I don't see our playoff chances completely obliterated if we drop one of the games...

[SkinsHokieFan]

Correct me if I am wrong, but in a case where the Redskins have a 12-4 record, and say the Cardinals are 11-5 but win their division, the new rules state we would host the wildcard game, correct?

For some reason I keep thinking that is what will happen this year. Anyone?

[Shilsu]

Correct me if I am wrong, but in a case where the Redskins have a 12-4 record, and say the Cardinals are 11-5 but win their division, the new rules state we would host the wildcard game, correct?

For some reason I keep thinking that is what will happen this year. Anyone?

That rule never passed.

[LaxBuddy21]

I don't see us making a real charge for the division title at this point so what we have is this:

Rank Team Record Conf. Record
5) Tampa 8-3 (7-2)
6) Redskins 7-4 (6-3)
7) Atlanta 7-4 (5-3)
8) Cowboys 7-4 (5-4)
9) Vikings 6-5 (4-3)

Any loss in the next 5 games could result in us immediately being replaced for the last remaining playoff spot.

Anyone know if Joe Gibbs is available to talk to this team? We need one of those strong finishes this year. There is no room between us and the teams looking to take our seat. None.


So we need to go 12-4 or we will not get the wild card? Please. I mean I hope the team has that mentality and goes out fighting but realistically we could lose 1 and probably 2 games and still get in. I would like to see us go 4-1. An 11-5 record would make me proud of this team and would set us up good for the playoffs. Lets get hot at the right time like the Giants did last year and throw our names in the hat for a run at the Superbowl!:gaintsuck

[HateYanksDukeCowboys]

Paloffs is now.

it just wouldn't be our style to have any breathing room in our games, or our playoff picture.

[kleese]

10-6 will get us in.....the only way it might not is if we lost to both the Giants and Eagles...that could mess us up.

But the shcedules for teams in the South is pretty brutal... I think Carolina is going to finish 10-6 AT BEST.

My gut tells me we end the season on a three game winning streak. Not a gimmie by any means, but just a gut feeling-- and it's based somewhat in history given our strong finishes during our last two playoff runs.

So, techincally, I think we could lose BOTH of the next two games, win the last three, finish 10-6 and still make the playoffs based on tie-breakers. But that would obviously be doing it the hard way.

Win one of these next two (preferrably the Giants game) and our playoff chances are looking really, really good.

[Voice_of_Reason]

10-6 will get us in, 11-5 is a guarantee. 12-4 would almost be disappointing, because they still won't catch the Giants. But they would probably get to go to Minn. or Chicago, and I'll take that.

I actually really want the #5 seed if we can get it, by hook or by crook. 'Zona is a MUCH better team than whoever comes out of that miserable North Division. Maybe not GB. But I'll take my chances there also.

[kleese]

10-6 will get us in, 11-5 is a guarantee. 12-4 would almost be disappointing, because they still won't catch the Giants. But they would probably get to go to Minn. or Chicago, and I'll take that.

I actually really want the #5 seed if we can get it, by hook or by crook. 'Zona is a MUCH better team than whoever comes out of that miserable North Division. Maybe not GB. But I'll take my chances there also.

Yeah, I'd much rather play at Chicago or Minnesota, but I think I'd actually rather play in Arizona than go to Green Bay. I think the Packers are the best team in the North and have had a few key injuries and a little bit of tough luck in some of their losses.

[Shilsu]

So we need to go 12-4 or we will not get the wild card? Please. I mean I hope the team has that mentality and goes out fighting but realistically we could lose 1 and probably 2 games and still get in. I would like to see us go 4-1. An 11-5 record would make me proud of this team and would set us up good for the playoffs. Lets get hot at the right time like the Giants did last year and throw our names in the hat for a run at the Superbowl!:gaintsuck

Unfortunately, it's very possible for us to be sitting on the outside at 11-5, especially if our only loss comes against the Giants (or god-forbid, the Eagles or 49ers).

The Falcons have the best shot of winning out, while the Bucs and the Panthers can afford a loss to guarantee a playoff spot... The Bucs can actually afford to lose two.

It's conceivable that the Giants can clinch everything up in the next two weeks thus becoming easy games for the Cowboys, Panthers, and Vikings.

[USS Redskins]

Bottom line - score TD's and WIN.
Or they just arent a playoff team. Plain and simple.
Fans cant do anything but hope and cheer.

[PlayAction]

10 - 6 might not be enough to get the Skins in. It's happened before. But I would be shocked if the Skins were shut out with an 11-5 record.

Right now I don't want to rush the playoffs. There's still a lot of football to play and they need to focus on only the next game.

[Shilsu]

10-6 will get us in.....the only way it might not is if we lost to both the Giants and Eagles...that could mess us up.

But the shcedules for teams in the South is pretty brutal... I think Carolina is going to finish 10-6 AT BEST.

Falcons (7-4 / 5-3 Conf) - SD (4-7), NO (5-5), TB (8-3), MIN (6-5), STL (2-9) - 2-1 in common opponents, potentially 4-1
Panthers (8-3 / 5-3 Conf) - GB (5-5), TB (8-3), DEN (6-5), NYG (10-1), NO (5-5) - 3-0 in common opponents, potentially 5-0
Buccaneers (8-3 / 7-2 Conf) - NO (5-5), CAR (8-3), ATL (7-4), SD (4-7), OAK (3-8) - 2-2 in common opponents, potentially 3-2

Redskins (7-4 / 6-3 Conf) - NYG (10-1), BAL (7-4), CIN (1-9), PHI (5-5-1), SF (3-8)

Assuming we drop one NFC game.... They all have manageable schedules.

The Falcons can afford to take a loss. Their final game versus the Rams can be the dagger that breaks a tie.

The Panthers can probably lose one NFC game and against the Broncos, and they would still get in over us. It's very the Giants will wrap things up by the time the Panthers play them.

The Buccaneers can lose two games and get in over us provided they are the correct games.

[Lombardi's_kid_brother]

I would be shocked (shocked!) if we got to 10-6 and did not make the playoffs. I believe that has only happened twice since they expanded the playoffs.

3-2 down the stretch more than likely gets us in.
4-1 makes it a stone-cold lock.
5-0 won't matter unless the Giants collapse.

What is true is that we have far less room for error than you would think for a 7-4 team.

[kleese]

Falcons - SD (4-7), NO (5-5), TB (8-3), MIN (6-5), STL (2-9)
Panthers - GB (5-5), TB (8-3), DEN (6-5), NYG (10-1), NO (5-5)
Buccaneers - NO (5-5), CAR (8-3), ATL (7-4), SD (4-7), OAK (3-8)

Assuming we drop one NFC game.... They all have manageable schedules.

The Falcons can afford to take a loss. Their final game versus the Rams can be the dagger that breaks a tie.

The Panthers can probably lose one NFC game and against the Broncos, and they would still get in over us.

The Buccaneers can lose two games and get in over us provided they are the correct games.

I think the Falcons and Panthers finish 3-2 AT BEST, but I really think Carolina will only win two of their remaining games. I think TB winds up winning the division-- might even go 12-4.

Looking at it all, including the Cowboys, I'd say we'll have about a 90% chance at making the playoffs at 10-6.....assuming only ONE more NFC loss.

[Tastes Like Chicken]

Next Sunday's game will tell a lot about who this team is, and what it's made of. IF we win, and win big, then the momentum from that game could be incredible. If the game is low-scoring and close, then I don't see much difference coming out of it, either way. If we got blown out, stick a fork in us. We're done.

This team has baffled me in recent years so much, that it's possible (but not likely) that we could beat the Giants, and then **** the bed against a team like the Bengals or Niners.

[Dick Edds]

Next Sunday's game will tell a lot about who this team is, and what it's made of. IF we win, and win big, then the momentum from that game could be incredible. If the game is low-scoring and close, then I don't see much difference coming out of it, either way. If we got blown out, stick a fork in us. We're done.

This team has baffled me in recent years so much, that it's possible (but not likely) that we could beat the Giants, and then **** the bed against a team like the Bengals or Niners.

yeah, beating the Gmen could be Pyhrric victory.

[Shilsu]

ASSUMPTION: Redskins lose to the Giants and beat the 49ers and Eagles.

Tiebreakers for Teams From Different Divisions
1. Overall Record
2. Conference Record
3. Winning Percentage of Common Opponents
4. Strength of Victory

Atlanta Falcons - SD, NO, TB, MIN, STL
1. 7-4.
2. 5-3. Falcons cannot lose to NO or STL.
3. ATL - 66%, WAS - 80%. Potentially 80% if they beat NO and STL.

Carolina Panthers - GB, TB, DEN, NYG, NO
1. 8-3.
2. 5-3. Panthers cannot lose to two NFC teams.
3. CAR - 100%, WAS - 60%. Panthers need to lose to NYG and NO to get to 60%.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers - NO, CAR, ATL, SD, OAK
1. 8-3.
2. 7-2. Buccaneers cannot lose to two NFC teams.
3. TB - 50%, WAS - 80%. Potentially 60%, MAXIMUM. TB cannot win this tiebreaker.

Minnesota Vikings - CHI, DET, ARI, ATL, NYG
1. 6-5.
2. 4-3.
3. MIN - 100%, WAS - 60%. Potentially 80%, MINIMUM. WAS cannot win this tiebreaker.

Dallas Cowboys - SEA, PIT, NYG, BAL, PHI
1. 7-4.
2. 5-4. Cowboys cannot lose to any NFC team.
3. DAL - 40%, WAS - 60%. Every single game for both teams is a common opponent, but a WAS loss to BAL or CIN would help.

Chicago Bears - MIN, JAC, NO, GB, HOU
1. 6-5.
2. 5-4. Bears cannot lose to any NFC team.
3. CHI - 100%. Bears cannot lose to NO.

[Shilsu]

If the Redskins can beat the Giants, it would make things a whole lot easier. One, it'd help them their divisional and conference records. Two, it'll prevent the Giants from clinching anything before they play the Panthers and Cowboys and Vikings.

[zoony]

Just win games, the rest will fall into place.

I'm confident that 11-5 will be good enough for a wild card. Many of those teams still have to play each other. So whoever wins, it's good for us :D

10-6, I give us about a 50% probability of making it.

9-7, absolutely not

Also- looks like Dallas has a very tough schedule upcoming. :D :D