Still think Joe Gibbs can’t coach?
The Redskins may still make the playoffs, which two weeks ago seemed a bigger long shot than Dennis Kucinich becoming president. A little help is needed, but Washington’s second improbable late run in three years is halfway there.
The Redskins have found their groove after losing Sean Taylor forever, Jason Campbell for the season and enough late leads to ruin most years. They should have bagged the season two weeks ago after Taylor’s death and a one-point loss to Buffalo, but this is why Gibbs came back. He is often gold in December with a 2-1 mark so far this season.
The Redskins are more than alive. They’re the hunters.
New York, Minnesota, New Orleans and Washington are vying for two wild card slots. No one has a big edge. Any of the four could still make it with two games remaining.
Washington faces Minnesota on Sunday and Dallas on Dec. 30 — that could be one of the bigger games in FedEx Field’s 11 seasons. The Redskins can win both and still miss if New Orleans also finishes 9-7, but Washington has tie-breaker edges over New York and Minnesota.
Beating Minnesota is a must. It would give the Redskins the first tie-breaking edge over the Vikings — head to head. It might mean nothing if the Redskins lose to the Cowboys, which now needs a victory to keep home advantage throughout the playoffs. The game will mean something to both teams.
Redskins fans better root for Philadelphia on Sunday to beat New Orleans because the Saints finish with hapless Chicago. Otherwise, New Orleans finishes 9-7 and gets a wild card.
The Giants have a fair chance of collapsing. New York is at Buffalo on Sunday in a toss-up game before finishing with New England. The Patriots won’t blow a chance for 16-0 if New England first beats Miami on Sunday.
Minnesota has a tough schedule. After playing Chicago last night, it meets Washington and Denver, which alternates from contender to pretender weekly.
So what does the crystal ball say? New Orleans and Washington make it. New York is out and coach Tom Coughlin is fired. Minnesota can only blame itself.
New Orleans gets the top wild card to face Tampa Bay in the first round while Washington earns a trip to Seattle for the second time in three years. This time, though, Washington beats Seattle and then knocks off Dallas in the second round only to lose at Green Bay in the NFC Championship. Gibbs comes back and all the haters must shut up.
Then again, the Vikings could whack the Redskins and Christmas party chatter is all about who replaces Gibbs.
It’s that uncertain, but the whole season has been that way. Why should the final two weeks be any different?
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Contact him at [email protected].
