FanPost

Meaningful December Football!!!

As well all know, Redskins fans have not always had the pleasure of watching meaningful football games in the month of December (and sometimes November). Sure, we had a short playoff stint in 2015 as well as a December collapse in 2016. But as Redskins fans, I think it’s fair to say that we are not used to seeing our team in the "Playoff Hunt" during the homestretch of the schedule.

Despite our "ugly," "boring," and even "lucky" wins, as described by the media, I can’t help but feel excited for the rest of the season. While the injuries, inconsistent performances and lack of offensive production concern me, I am pumped that the Redskins are in a great position to make a run at winning the division. I know we shouldn’t get ahead of ourselves, but as an actuary and sports nerd, I can’t help but simulate some scenarios now that the Thanksgiving rematch against the Cowboys is upon us. I figured I would create two of the likely worst case scenarios. Please note that I that these are LIKELY worst case scenario, not the actual worst case scenario. We all know that would consist of the redskins losing all of their remaining games.

The purpose of these scenarios is to that the Redskins should likely still be in the hunt for the NFC East crown come week 15, 16, and even 17. And this is even if they suffer a 3 game losing streak with losses to Dallas and Philly, as long as they pick up a couple wins against the Texans, Giants, Jaguars, or Titans (2 of which currently have losing records. The two scenarios are very similar; the only difference I made was the outcome of the game between the Eagles and Cowboys.

Scenario 1*: Eagles beat Cowboys in week 14

Skins
L HOU 6-4
L @ Dal 6-5
L @ Phi 6-6
W NYG 7-6
W @ Jax 8-6
L @ Ten 8-7
?? PHI ??

Philly

L @ No 4-6
W NYG 5-6
W WAS 6-6
W* @ Dal 7-6
L @ Lar 7-7
W HOU 8-7

?? @ Was ??

Cowboys

L @ Atl 4-6
W WAS 5-6
L NO 5-7
L* PHI 5-8
W @ Ind 6-8
W TB 7-8
W @ Nyg 8-8

Skins win only two games (not against Dallas or Philly) and are 8-7 heading into week 17. The 3 game losing streak lets the division foes back into the division race.

Eagles beat all of their opponents besides New Orleans and LA and head into week 17 at 8-7, tied with the Redskins.

Cowboys go 4-3 with losses against the Falcons and Saints, as well as the game with the Eagles in week 14 to finish the year at 8-8.

In this scenario, the Redskins and Eagles would battle for the division title in week 17 at FedEx Field.

Scenario 2*: Cowboys beat Eagles in week 14

Skins
L HOU 6-4
L @ Dal 6-5
L @ Phi 6-6
W NYG 7-6
W @ Jax 8-6
L @ Ten 8-7
?? PHI ??

Philly

L @ No 4-6
W NYG 5-6
W WAS 6-6
L* @ Dal 6-7
L @ Lar 6-8
W HOU 7-8

?? @ Was ??

Cowboys

L @ Atl 4-6
W WAS 5-6
L NO 5-7
W* PHI 6-7
W @ Ind 7-7
W TB 8-7
W @ Nyg 9-7

Skins win only two games (not against Dallas or Philly) and are 8-7 heading into week 17. Once again, the 3 game losing streak lets the division foes back into the division race.

Eagles go 3-3 and have a record of 7-8 heading into their week 17 game with the Skins; Losses to the Saints, Rams, and the week 14 game with the Cowboys.

Cowboys go 5-2 with loses against the Falcons and Saints; this time beating the Eagles in the week 14 matchup; finish the year at 9-7.

In this scenario, the Cowboys would hold the tiebreaker over the Redskins with a better record within the division. Therefore, the Redskins would have to pick up at least 10 wins to be crowned NFC East Champs.

Obviously, I hope and believe that the Redskins will do better than the scenarios I created. If they beat the Cowboys and Eagles in week 12 and 13, they will have the division all but clinched by early December. On the other hand, I still very well believe that the Eagles could steal a game against the Saints or Rams and the Cowboys could steal a game against the Falcons or Saints. Their backs are against the wall and anything is possible week to week in today's NFL

Once again, I’m wayyyy ahead of myself. The team needs to focus on one game at a time.

HTTR