The Redskin Report

Now this is an article that as a Redskins fan I love writing. Heading into the final week of the season, the Redskins can actually discuss playoff scenarios. And I’m not talking about, well if 15 teams lose and the Redskins win by 91 then they may end up with the 6th seed, I’m talking about actual playoff scenarios. By now everyone knows that a Redskins win clinches a playoff spot, so let’s look at who they’d play and how things will wind up. Chicago’s win means the Redskins can finish no higher than 4th in the conference. There is no way the Redskins can finish 3rd. Even if both Tampa and Carolina lose, Tampa Bay wins the division and the Redskins will lose to them in the head to head tiebreaker.

Games that concern the Redskins:
NY Giants at Oakland
Carolina at Atlanta
New Orleans at Tampa Bay
Washington at Philadelphia
St. Louis at Dallas

Tiebreaker Formulas:
Division Tiebreakers (that apply to the Redskins):
1) Head to Head (2-0 vs. Dallas)
2) Division Record (Win vs. Philly, Wash 5-1, NYG 4-2)
Conference Ties
1) Division Tiebreakers
2) Head to Head Games (Washington 0-1 vs. Tampa Bay)
3) Conference Record (Wash 9-2; TB 8-3; NYG 8-4; Car 7-4, Dal 7-4)
4) Common Games (Minimum of 4)
5) Strength of Victory (Washington takes this one easily)
6) Strength of Schedule (Washington again takes this easily)

Washington finishes 4th in the conference if:
Washington wins
NY Giants loses

The Skins would host:
Tampa Bay: If Carolina wins, Tampa Bay loses, and Dallas loses.
Carolina: If Carolina wins and Tampa Bay wins.
NY Giants: If Carolina and Tampa Bay both lose.

Washington finishes 5th in the conference if:
Washington wins.
NY Giants wins.
Carolina loses.

The Skins would then travel to:
Tampa Bay: if Tampa Bay loses.
NY Giants: If Tampa Bay wins.

Washington finishes 6th in the conference if:
Washington wins
NY Giants wins
Carolina wins
OR
Washington loses
Dallas loses

And the Skins would then travel to play:
Tampa Bay: If Tampa Bay wins.
NY Giants: If Giants win and Tampa Bay loses.
Carolina: If Washington loses, Giants lose, Tampa Bay loses.

On the web:
Washington Post:
Williams to leave?; Maske on the Eagles