Strong running game, great defense and a good special team performance. It was a throwback effort for the Washington Redskins, who stayed alive in the playoff race by defeating the New York Giants 22-10 last night. The win moves the Redskins back to .500 at 7-7 and they remain in 7th place in the NFC pending the result of the Monday night game.
Clinton Portis had 126 yards rushing and a touchdown, while Ladell Betts also rushed for a TD. Shaun Suisham had three field goals including an impressive 49 yarder in a very windy Giant stadium. Defensively, the Redskins were led by Andre Carter with 2 sacks and a forced fumble. The best defensive effort may have been by Fred Smoot though. He was assigned to cover Plexico Burress and held him to only 3 catches for 35 yards. It was his best effort since returning to Washington this off-season.
The Redskins now prepare for another huge game next Sunday night when the Minnesota Vikings host the Skins. The Vikings will be coming off a short week as they play tonight against the Chicago Bears. The playoff picture remains the same as last week, the Redskins still need either a Saints loss or the Giants to lose their remaining games along with the Redskins running the table to secure a playoff spot.
Here are the playoff scenarios, near as I can tell:
Any team less than 7-7 will be eliminated tonight if Minnesota wins against Chicago. However, it is highly unlikely for any of the 6-8 teams to make it anyway (Washington would have to lose both, Minnesota would have to lose twice (but beat Washington), and New Orleans would either have to lose one, or both, depending on which 6-8 team was being considered).
Giants: Need to win one game. Either against the Bills, or Pats. Bills, maybe. Pats, uh, no. Barring that, they still get in with Washington and the Saints losing one game. Lose both, and either Washington or the Saints run the table, and the Giants may be out. The Giants and Washington are the two teams that can finish 9-7 and still not make the playoffs.
Minnesota: Win out, OR, win tonight, and beat Washington, and have the Saints drop a game. If the Giants lose to the Bills and Patriots, there are some other permutations, as well; if Minnesota wins two, but loses to Washington, in that scenario, the Vikings are in at 9-7.
New Orleans: Either the Giants lose both, and New Orleans wins out, or Minnesota loses out while New Orleans wins out, or New Orleans wins one, Minnesota drops two, and Washington beats Minnesota but loses to Dallas.
Washington: Win out, and either New Orleans lose one or the Giants lose both, (Minnesota is irrelevant in this case, I believe) or this:
Minnesota loses at least two of three (including to Washington), and New Orleans loses out. Dallas-Washington would be irrelevant in that scenario.
For those keeping score, root for Chicago tonight; it slightly strengthens the Redskins chances, though it’s not relevent if the Redskins win out. More important are the Giants game next week, and the New Orleans game next week (and of course, the Minnesota-Washington game next Sunday night). Washington would control their own destiny with a New Orleans loss if the Skins win next week, and could be playing for a potential home playoff game with a Giants loss.
Thanks for the info Bill.