The Redskins Season Intensifies

The Washington Redskins sit at 6-3. Most season, we would be pretty darn pleased and feeling pretty good about the prospects of the NFL playoffs. I mean, come on, 6-3. Last year at this point, the Redskins were 5-4, one less win, one more loss.
Flash forward to the present, the Redskins are already finding themselves in a situation where any loss becomes problematic, because of the number of NFC teams putting up better than expected performances.  Looking at the NFC East, the Redskins still have one division game left against the Giants, in Washington.  But, the Giants are playing pretty darn good football right now, and sit two games above Washington.  Can Washington still win the NFC east, of course.  But they will need some help, help form themselves, a mini-Giant collapse, and the arrival of the Washington offense that performed in the two division wins against Philadelphia and Dallas, not the one we have seen the last few weeks.
Here are the opponents:
Washington: DAL, @ SEA, NYG, @ BALT, @ CINC, PHL, @ SF (Combined Record:  29-33)
New York:  BALT, @ ARI, @ WASH, PHL, @ DAL, CAR, @ MINN (Combined Record:  39-23)
Schedule wise, I would much rather have Washington’s remaining schedule.  The Giants do not have a team left on their remaining schedule that has a losing record.  That is what happens when you are front loaded with the easier part of the schedule.  BUT, the Giants have not shown any signs of slowing down.  But, schedule to schedule, Washington certainly is looking good.
Let’s take a look at where the Wild card race is at, right now.

Obviously, the Redskins are sitting in good shape as far as NFC Conference wins, tied with Tampa Bay, one game ahead of Atlanta.  But, those records only come into play if you tie.  The Redskins still have 7 games left, and any loss could be problematic because of how tight the playoff wild card table looks.  It’s not an easy season in the NFC.  A loss this week to Dallas would drop the Redskins to 6-4, move the Cowboy up to 6-4, and if Tampa Bay (has MINN), Atlanta (has DEN), and Philadelphia (has CINC) win, you would have 3 teams tied with the Redskins and two teams ahead.  Only two teams go.
So, believe it or not, with still 7 games to go, each week is growing more and more in importance for the Washington Redskins.  Right now, with a 5-2 NFC Conference record, the fact they have a much easier schedule remaining than New York, the Redskins are sitting fairly well, as long as they take care of their own business.
It’s Dallas week!  Let’s go ‘Skins!