The Washington Commanders have a chance to pave their path to the playoffs and put the New York Giants in the rear-view mirror on Sunday.
After the Giants were embarrassed by the Philadelphia Eagles, New York is a quickly-sinking 7-5-1. With remaining games at Minnesota and Philadelphia along with visiting Indianapolis, New York is more desperate to win than Washington.
Not that the Commanders will easily survive a loss because the winner has the first tie-breaker edge. The victor of the nationally-televised night game is essentially two games up with three to go, but Washington's schedule still allows more chances to win than New York's so the latter needs this game more.
The final month is looking pretty set for the NFC postseason bracket. Philadelphia (12-1) is already in and the likely top seed and NFC East winner. Dallas (10-3) can easily split their last four games versus Jacksonville, Philadelphia, Tennessee and Washington to finish 12-5 and the fifth seed. Then again, after barely escaping Houston, maybe Dallas is vulnerable. Or, that was a giant wakeup call.
Minnesota, Tampa Bay and San Francisco likely win their divisions so the drama is between Washington and New York while watching Seattle (7-6), Detroit (6-7) and Carolina (5-8) rallying late.
Seattle is intriguing. The Seahawks play the 49ers on Thursday, then travel to Kansas City before finishing against the visiting New York Jets and Los Angeles Rams. A 2-2 finish may be the upside and that gives Seattle a 9-8 mark that could be a half game back of Washington. Detroit needs to win at least three games versus the Jets, Carolina, Chicago and Green Bay. Doesn't sound promising. Carolina (5-8) has a puncher's chance if sweeping Pittsburgh, Detroit, Tampa Bay and New Orleans, but that's not where the smart money lies.
Really, wild cards are there for Washington and New York. The sixth seed gets San Francisco while the seventh faces Minnesota in the current standings, but that can flip. Washington lost a heart-breaker to Minnesota already, but the Commanders shouldn't be afraid of a rematch. The San Francisco meeting on Dec. 24 might foretell a postseason outcome. The 49ers and Commanders are much the same, only San Francisco is a little better and would have the home edge in the playoffs.
It's not too early to celebrate if Washington can dispatch New York. Losing on Sunday isn't the worst scenario, but winning would make the holidays much less stressful.
Rick Snider has covered Washington sports since 1978. Follow him on Twitter: @Snide_Remarks.
Related
