Must Win: Skins vs Arizona

by Hardcore Legend on Sep 17, 2008 1:01 AM EDT

Is there such a thing as a 'Must Win' in Week 3? Probably not. However, this is as close as it gets.

The Redskins play their 2nd home game of the season. They will only have 6 left after Sunday. Those 6 are against Divsions foes (DAL, NYG, PHI), 2 cupcakes (CLE, STL) and a legit AFC Powerhouse (PIT). If you want to make the playoffs in this league, you win 6 of 8 at home and go .500 on the road. To get to 6, Skins have to beat NO, ARI, CLE, STL and take 2 of 4 against likely playoff teams in DAL, NYG, PHI and PIT. A task that isn't nearly as hard as having to win 3 of 4 should the Skins cough up one of their easier wins.

With that in mind, look at where the Skins schedule goes after this week:

@ DAL

@ PHI

vs STL

vs CLE

@ DET

vs PIT

Worst case scenerio, Washington wins this week vs Arizona, loses the next 2 divisional games and wins their 3 cupcakes and loses to PIT. Then we go into the BYE 5-4.

5 wins needed in 7 games remaining.

See how important this week is? A stumble this week makes much more difficult games far more important.

We won't be catching Dallas for the playoffs, but 2 teams are coming out of the NFC East for the Wild Card this year, you can almost bet on that. To get that, we have to pick off either New York or Philadelphia.

Philly has Pittsburgh, Chicago and us heading into a BYE.

The Giants are starring 6-0 in the face with what has to be the easiest schedule in the NFL in the first half, only to be brutalized in the the final 10 games.

So, anyways, back to my point. The Redskins must win this week if they hold out any hopes of actually making the playoffs this season. I know it seems a bit extreme but for a team with a new coach and a new system in place, it is vitally important that the 'should win' games be won, no matter the time of year. It sets the tone for the Skins heading into divisional play on the road and allows them to go into the BYE with (at worst) a winning record.

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While I'll disagree with you about Dallas being better than Philly...

You’re absolutely right. We need to win the games that we’re supposed to win because the other teams on our schedule are extremely tough. We then need to hope that we can steal a couple of those to give ourselves a good chance of making it to the post season.

by hibachi on Sep 17, 2008 3:43 PM EDT reply actions

I wanted to say...

Hardcore Legend I’m sorry I didn’t say this sooner, but this is a phenomenal diary. I would’ve promoted it but, I’m admitting selfishness here, I wanted to get my 2PC vs. XP thing up ASAP. You keep pumping out high quality diaries, and I’ll get them on the front page.

Go register. Or else.

by Skin Patrol on Sep 17, 2008 8:01 PM EDT reply actions

It makes sense, but only if games are conceded

The divisional games with the Redskins and Dallas/Eagles while difficult are not automatic losses which make this game or another game no less or more important as long as the team focuses on winning.
This game would’ve become very critical if the Redskins had lost last week to NO, As some teams at 0-2 have gone to make the playoffs, most recent to win the superbowl but as far as my research shows only 3 teams which started 0-3 made the playoffs and everyone lost in the first round.
The Redskins need to win the games they should “win” on paper but it will not be the season if a win does occur on Sunday because who is to say the Redskins when not favored say the following two weeks, don’t win a game…

by dr WNC on Sep 17, 2008 9:19 PM EDT reply actions

That's very true

but I think by losing games you ‘should win’ you are putting an inexperienced coach and a team trying to figure out who they are in a very difficult situation.

Even if they lost this week and won the next two, we’d always be talking about that game vs Arizona we let get away. Especially if it cost us a playoff spot/homefield advantage.

Still looking for 1985 Regular Season games on DVD/VHS

by Hardcore Legend on Sep 17, 2008 9:37 PM EDT up reply actions

True

With the key of making the playoffs, any loss can be talked about if the Redskins do not make the playoffs, with more emphasis on the games which should have been won.

by dr WNC on Sep 17, 2008 10:11 PM EDT up reply actions