3 of 4 columnists picks Skins to go to playoffs

[DG28]

If you look at the playoff picture at the moment, the NFC's wild card teams are:

Redskins - vs. NYG, @ PHI
Cowboys - @ CAR, vs. STL
Vikings - @ BAL, vs. CHI
Falcons - @ TB, vs. CAR

Looking at the statistics, we have consistently gotten more first downs, more yards offense, and more touchdowns than our opponents (http://www.nfl.com/teams/stats/WAS/2005/regular). The same can be said for the Cowboys (http://www.nfl.com/teams/stats/DAL/2005/regular) and Falcons (http://www.nfl.com/teams/stats/ATL/2005/regular). The Vikings are behind in all of those statistical categories (http://www.nfl.com/teams/stats/MIN/2005/regular).

But you also have to look at who they're playing. The Redskins have New York at home, and the 12th man will definitely rattle Eli, and the Eagles are going nowhere. Dallas has to fight off the Panthers, which should be an interesting game, and the Rams will struggle. The Vikings have Baltimore (pushovers) and Chicago, and Brad Johnson won't be able to handle the Bears' defense without any real big-play targets. The Falcons will probably lose to the Bucs, and the Panthers will put up a good fight.

Basically, I think the Redskins will go 10-6, the Cowboys'll be 9-7, the Vikings will be 9-7, and the Falcons will be 9-7.

I see the Redskins getting at least to the Divisional round, assuming the defense gets healthy again.