I haven't written in awhile because I got busy, but mostly because I just never got up to it. The Caps were losing, the Redskins kept losing and then the Sean Taylor murder happened. It just wasn't a great time to write. But of course, the recent victory will get me writing again, so here goes:
When we last left our no luck Redskins, they had just lost to the BTEIAS (Best Team Ever In Any Sport, i.e. New England Patriots) 52-7. I chalked up the huge loss to a fluke, which I think, all things considered, was pretty accurate.
The New England Patriots came back to earth, with two games which they could have very easily lost (Colts and Eagles), and one game (Ravens) that they should have lost. Now they've got a clear path to regular season perfection against the Jets and Dolphins, a combined 3-23, and the Giants. But by that time the Giants should be resting people for the playoffs since the Cowboys already won the division. Not exactly stellar competition, but it could be exciting... but I'll get back to that in a second.
The Redskins, meanwhile, fulfilled my comparison with the 2005 Redskins, by winning the game following the blowout and then losing 4 in a row (although they only lost 3 in row in 2005). Now they just need to complete the rest of my prediction by winning 4 in a row (It was 5 in 2005).
But this year because the NFC stinks, if the Redskins did win out, their 9-7 record (with wins against the Lions, Cardinals, and Vikings) could very likely get them into the playoffs. Sadly that just ain't happening. Too many injuries, too much inconsistency and just too many non-football issues. The comparisons with the 2005 team fails because the 2005 team didn't have so many distractions and the team didn't fail so predictably in the second half.
But... lets say they did win out. And since we're dreaming, let's suppose one more thing: the Giants lose the following weekend on the road to the Buffalo Bills. That scenario would set up a very interesting Week 17. Going in to the final week of the season, the Redskins, Vikings, Lions and either Saints or Cardinals (since they play each other this week) could all be 8-7. The Giants would suddenly be 9-6 and in danger of missing out on the playoffs... and remember who they would be playing? That's right! The assuredly 15-0 Patriots, that's who! The really interesting thing about this scenario, is that the Giants wouldn't know the results of the other games because their game is scheduled for the night before the rest of the league plays (So they couldn't watch one or some of the 8-7 teams lose and know their playoff spot is guaranteed).
Note: BTW, the Redskins don't need to win out for this to happen, the Giants just need to lose 2 in a row, but it would put more teams in the possible 9-7 logjam that could make the Giants vs. Patriots game mean a lot more.
Too bad the Redskins will lose on Sunday, assuring the Giants of a playoff spot and the Patriots of an easy time getting to 16-0. Crazy how all that essentially hinges on 2 games (Redskins vs. Giants and Giants vs. Bills), huh?
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