Wild Card Chances as Fall Back Option

[Mechanix544]

Originally Posted by milellie111

LOL. The excited fan in us all. But take a step back and look at this realistically. We are all excited about beating Philly and Dallas, but both of those teams really do suck and were just always overrated. People are talking about playoffs when in reality, we may not even win another game and finish the season 5-11. This is how it could realistically pan out. Remaining games are:

vs NYG=Loss- They are simply a better team than us on both sides of the ball and has gelled stronger as a team since we played them in week 7.

vs Baltimore=Loss- Another good team who has had 4 game winning streaks TWICE this season

@ Cleavland=Loss-Tough game. Cleavland took Dallas into overtime in Dallas. They don't have many weapons but Trent Richardson is a beast and they are a gritty tough nosed team.

@ Philly=Loss-In Philly, tough environment. Got the upperhand on them the first time but teams adjust and watch tape for the second time you come up against them. Andy Reid may be trying to save his job so the team will come out hungry and prepared.

vs Dallas=Loss. Same statement as above, we already played them once and teams adjust for the second matchup. Jason Garrett will propably be on the hot seat as well and desperate for this win.

The Redskins have no homefield advantage playing in Fedex so that's not a pro against NYG, Bmore and Dallas. We also had and still have one of the worst if not worst passing defenses in the league as was on full display against Dallas in the second half. Josh Wilson and Deangelo Hall will not magically turn into Darrelle Revis/Champ Bailey and shut down Cruz, Nicks, Torrey Smith, Dez Bryant. Madoodoo Williams will not magically become a starting caliber NFL safety. The Redskins defense will not all of a sudden start generating pressure on the opposing QB without blitzing, Orakpo and Carriker. Jim Haslett will not transform into Dick Lebeau in the next few days. Kyle Shanahan will not turn into an offensive guru overnight and stop calling plays that make you scratch your head on 3rd and short.

No harm in hoping for miracles but let's not get ahead of ourselves or too dissapointed if the above happens.

Even me, goat and punch don't think we are that bad. RG3 is good for at least 3 wins in the next 5 games the way he has been playing. Truth is, with the defense playing mediocre like they have the last couple weeks, we have taken out two division foes convincingly. (Even though they are both in disarray, it gives our guys confidence, which is exactly what they needed after the losing streak and Shanny's presser). I believe that we can go 4-1 and either win or back in. I believe there is a 1 in 20 shot that we could back in going 3-2, but neither of those two could be against the GMen.

Fact is, if we win out, we are definitely in. If we win 4, we are about 60% to get in,win 3, and that drops to about 5%. The pressure is on, and while I don't see us winning a super bowl this year, making a tough meaningful run at the playoffs in RG3's first year will do wonders when talking about the growth of the team. It might be just what they need.

[scowan]

It is just refreshing to watch a team that can score 30+ points a game? That in and of itself gives me hope the Redskins can win games down the stretch. Even with the Skins giving up points to the Cowboys in the 2nd half Thursday, the offense found a way to score 10 more points in the 2nd half. Let's face it, this is not your father's NFL, its more NBA anymore with tons of points being scored every week. The 17-10 games don't happen much any more. There are more 35-31 type games. A bend but don't break Defense that can get turnovers is really all you need. Keep winning the turnover battle, which gives your offense more possesions than their offense and you have a better chance to win. Come up big on 3rd down a few more times than they do to force a FG, and you can win. Do we all lose our hair while we watch? Absolutley, but it can work!

[Gary84Clark]

Originally Posted by scowan

It is just refreshing to watch a team that can score 30+ points a game? That in and of itself gives me hope the Redskins can win games down the stretch. Even with the Skins giving up points to the Cowboys in the 2nd half Thursday, the offense found a way to score 10 more points in the 2nd half. Let's face it, this is not your father's NFL, its more NBA anymore with tons of points being scored every week. The 17-10 games don't happen much any more. There are more 35-31 type games. A bend but don't break Defense that can get turnovers is really all you need. Keep winning the turnover battle, which gives your offense more possesions than their offense and you have a better chance to win. Come up big on 3rd down a few more times than they do to force a FG, and you can win. Do we all lose our hair while we watch? Absolutley, but it can work!

I agree. I sometimes think the Redskins are just not used to playing with a big lead. They just need to start getting used to it. Eventually, they will learn how to snuff out all hope.

[CRedskinsRule]

Originally Posted by scowan

It is just refreshing to watch a team that can score 30+ points a game? That in and of itself gives me hope the Redskins can win games down the stretch. Even with the Skins giving up points to the Cowboys in the 2nd half Thursday, the offense found a way to score 10 more points in the 2nd half. Let's face it, this is not your father's NFL, its more NBA anymore with tons of points being scored every week. The 17-10 games don't happen much any more. There are more 35-31 type games. A bend but don't break Defense that can get turnovers is really all you need. Keep winning the turnover battle, which gives your offense more possesions than their offense and you have a better chance to win. Come up big on 3rd down a few more times than they do to force a FG, and you can win. Do we all lose our hair while we watch? Absolutley, but it can work!

I honestly think that the key is that we didn't rest on the 28 point lead. Against the Rams and Bucs I would say we did to a certain extent, in one it cost us the game. KS and Griffin both understand that we have to kill the clock at times, but we also need to extend 4th quarter drives and have them end with points.

If we win one of the next 2, the last 3 games all will be meaningful. That's a good start for Griffin's career.

[artmonkforhallofamein07]

I still have faith that we can beat the Giants. I also still believe we win out and we win the East. All the Gmen would have to do is lose one other game. Just because the Packers lost doesn't mean that we can't win the division. People can be so fickle on here. Do I think we will win every remaining game? I doubt it but this team believes they can and it continues Monday night.

[rbanerjee23]

Originally Posted by milellie111

LOL. The excited fan in us all. But take a step back and look at this realistically. We are all excited about beating Philly and Dallas, but both of those teams really do suck and were just always overrated. People are talking about playoffs when in reality, we may not even win another game and finish the season 5-11. This is how it could realistically pan out. Remaining games are:

vs NYG=Loss- They are simply a better team than us on both sides of the ball and has gelled stronger as a team since we played them in week 7.

vs Baltimore=Loss- Another good team who has had 4 game winning streaks TWICE this season

@ Cleavland=Loss-Tough game. Cleavland took Dallas into overtime in Dallas. They don't have many weapons but Trent Richardson is a beast and they are a gritty tough nosed team.

@ Philly=Loss-In Philly, tough environment. Got the upperhand on them the first time but teams adjust and watch tape for the second time you come up against them. Andy Reid may be trying to save his job so the team will come out hungry and prepared.

vs Dallas=Loss. Same statement as above, we already played them once and teams adjust for the second matchup. Jason Garrett will propably be on the hot seat as well and desperate for this win.

The Redskins have no homefield advantage playing in Fedex so that's not a pro against NYG, Bmore and Dallas. We also had and still have one of the worst if not worst passing defenses in the league as was on full display against Dallas in the second half. Josh Wilson and Deangelo Hall will not magically turn into Darrelle Revis/Champ Bailey and shut down Cruz, Nicks, Torrey Smith, Dez Bryant. Madoodoo Williams will not magically become a starting caliber NFL safety. The Redskins defense will not all of a sudden start generating pressure on the opposing QB without blitzing, Orakpo and Carriker. Jim Haslett will not transform into Dick Lebeau in the next few days. Kyle Shanahan will not turn into an offensive guru overnight and stop calling plays that make you scratch your head on 3rd and short.

No harm in hoping for miracles but let's not get ahead of ourselves or too dissapointed if the above happens.

I have been extremely dismissive of the Shanahans in general and am probably the biggest downer on this forum. That being said, I really underestimated the effect of the injuries on the defense -- we have had incredibly bad luck with the DBs and to lose Merriwether to an ACL tear in his other knee? Brian Orakpo going out? To not have Garcon on the field for so long? Man, the football gods are just taking a dump on the Redskins this year with regards to injuries.

That being said, with RG3, Morris, and Garcon on the field, this offense can score on anybody. In the whole time I have been a fan of the redskins (since I was 10 so 13 years), I don't think I have seen such an explosive offense from the Burgundy and Gold. NY and Bal will be tough but I really think we will get one of those. As for the other three, those are games that the Redskins will be considerable favorites to win so as long as they don't play down to the opposition (STL, CAR anyone?) they should win them as well. 4-1 isn't ridiculous. This team needs to go 4-1/5-0 to get into the playoffs and I think they do it. Most of the teams ahead of us (Min, NO, TB) we have beaten.

Also, how on earth do you think watching film is going to lead to the Eagles beating the skins? That team may finish 3-13. As for the last game against DAL, I think it will be a "Win and you're in" situation for us and we will own them at Fedex.

Edit: 13 years of fanhood

[REDSKINS4ever]

Originally Posted by artmonkforhallofamein07

I still have faith that we can beat the Giants. I also still believe we win out and we win the East. All the Gmen would have to do is lose one other game. Just because the Packers lost doesn't mean that we can't win the division. People can be so fickle on here. Do I think we will win every remaining game? I doubt it but this team believes they can and it continues Monday night.

Winning the division would not only be a tremendous accomplishment, but it would shut the NYG fan base up. We know the Redskins are capable of playing solid football. We've seen it all but two games(Pittsburgh & Carolina).

[artmonkforhallofamein07]

Red4ever- it would be amazing considering how down we all were after Carolina, and it would be more to add to an amazing year by RG III. I won't say he is the MVP now, but if he pulls that off well it would be extremely hard not to give it to him.

I am taking things one game at a time, but it's hard not to look ahead.

Ps I would imagine most on the site know that if he does the improbable it will be the first time a rookie picked one or two in the draft would a. Finish with a winning record and b. lead his team to the playoffs. Though right now it looks as though Luck has a almost done. Still doesn't matter for ROY as RG III has the statistical edge by a far margin.

[That Guy]

come on guys, it's hard to start the season with high hopes of 0-16 only to have them immediately taken away. yet here he is, 5 wins later, still praying hard for losses.

that kind of outlook takes hard work and commitment. Good on you sir, good on you.

[CultBrennan59]

Originally Posted by milellie111

LOL. The excited fan in us all. But take a step back and look at this realistically. We are all excited about beating Philly and Dallas, but both of those teams really do suck and were just always overrated. People are talking about playoffs when in reality, we may not even win another game and finish the season 5-11. This is how it could realistically pan out. Remaining games are:

vs NYG=Loss- They are simply a better team than us on both sides of the ball and has gelled stronger as a team since we played them in week 7.

vs Baltimore=Loss- Another good team who has had 4 game winning streaks TWICE this season

@ Cleavland=Loss-Tough game. Cleavland took Dallas into overtime in Dallas. They don't have many weapons but Trent Richardson is a beast and they are a gritty tough nosed team.

@ Philly=Loss-In Philly, tough environment. Got the upperhand on them the first time but teams adjust and watch tape for the second time you come up against them. Andy Reid may be trying to save his job so the team will come out hungry and prepared.

vs Dallas=Loss. Same statement as above, we already played them once and teams adjust for the second matchup. Jason Garrett will propably be on the hot seat as well and desperate for this win.

The Redskins have no homefield advantage playing in Fedex so that's not a pro against NYG, Bmore and Dallas. We also had and still have one of the worst if not worst passing defenses in the league as was on full display against Dallas in the second half. Josh Wilson and Deangelo Hall will not magically turn into Darrelle Revis/Champ Bailey and shut down Cruz, Nicks, Torrey Smith, Dez Bryant. Madoodoo Williams will not magically become a starting caliber NFL safety. The Redskins defense will not all of a sudden start generating pressure on the opposing QB without blitzing, Orakpo and Carriker. Jim Haslett will not transform into Dick Lebeau in the next few days. Kyle Shanahan will not turn into an offensive guru overnight and stop calling plays that make you scratch your head on 3rd and short.

No harm in hoping for miracles but let's not get ahead of ourselves or too dissapointed if the above happens.

Your absolutely right. We definitely can lose all of our upcoming games. But honestly, I just can NOT see the happening. I say worst case we lose to the giants, browns and ravens (maybe cowboys). No way to the eagles. I see us losing to the giants and/or ravens.

[MTK]

We could win the rest of our games just as easy as we could lose them all. Neither scenario is likely though. I'll be happy with a 3-2 finish. Anything better would be pure gravy.

[The Goat]

Originally Posted by artmonkforhallofamein07

I still have faith that we can beat the Giants. I also still believe we win out and we win the East. All the Gmen would have to do is lose one other game. Just because the Packers lost doesn't mean that we can't win the division. People can be so fickle on here. Do I think we will win every remaining game? I doubt it but this team believes they can and it continues Monday night.

I believe we have the talent to do it, and while the coaching has been sub-par over the last two and half seasons who's to say they didn't finally start putting things together? Stranger things have happened...

[The Goat]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

We could win the rest of our games just as easy as we could lose them all. Neither scenario is likely though. I'll be happy with a 3-2 finish. Anything better would be pure gravy.

In principle I agree with you but I'm no boot licking sycophant, so anything less than nine wins is an outrage and should lead to a march on Fed Ex field.

[REDSKINS4ever]

Originally Posted by SFREDSKIN

Every game is huge for the skins, they are going to have to earn a playoff spot instead of worrying what other teams do.

Totally agree with this. These remaining five games are playoff games for us and we have to treat them as such. Regardless of what the playoff scenario is, it won't matter unless the Redskins take care of their business.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by The Goat

In principle I agree with you but I'm no boot licking sycophant, so anything less than nine wins is an outrage and should lead to a march on Fed Ex field.

You're clearly slipping. Anything less than 10 wins and a Super Bowl romp and the entire organization needs to be burned to the ground. Then of course we can confirm Shanahan only wins Super Bowls with star QBs.