ASHBURN — The playoff chances of the Washington Football Team are practically all but dead. That’s become clear over the team’s last two losses, with some oddsmakers now not even listing them because of the minuscule chance. Predictive statistical models from FiveThirtyEight and the New York Times are slightly more generous, pegging the odds at 7% and 6% respectively.
But technically, there’s a chance.
So if you find yourself somehow wondering what would it take for Washington to make the playoffs, you’ve come to the right place.
Thanks to a breakdown from the Twitter account @NFLScenarios, it’s become clear what exactly Washington needs to happen to make the postseason.
There are three scenarios that make it possible — all of them involve Washington having to win its final two games.
Take a look:
Option 1:
— Washington wins out.
— San Francisco loses out.
— Minnesota loses at least one game.
— New Orleans loses at least one game.
— Atlanta loses at least one game.
So five things need to happen here. But if they do, an 8-9 Washington team would make it. The Burgundy and Gold win out on tiebreakers thanks to a strong conference record. For San Francisco to lose out, the 49ers would have to drop games to the Houston Texans and Los Angeles Rams.
Fun fact, in this scenario, Washington could become as high as the sixth seed if the Eagles also lose out.
Option 2:
— Washington wins out.
— Philadelphia loses out .
— Minnesota goes 1-1 over last two.
— New Orleans loses at least one game.
— Atlanta loses at least one game.
Since Washington plays Philadelphia in Week 17, a Week 18 loss to the Dallas Cowboys could also shove the Eagles outside the playoff picture. Washington plays the Giants to close the season. In this scenario, Minnesota claims the sixth seed and Washington gets in ahead of Philadelphia, New Orleans and Atlanta because of tiebreakers.
Option 3:
— Washington wins out.
— Philadelphia loses out .
— Minnesota loses at least one game.
— Atlanta loses to Buffalo in Week 17.
— Atlanta beats New Orleans in Week 18.
San Francisco would be the sixth seed.
Here are the remaining schedules for the teams listed above:
— Washington: Eagles, at Giants
— Philadelphia: at Washington, Dallas
— Minnesota: at Green Bay, Chicago
— San Francisco: Houston, at Rams
— Atlanta: at Buffalo, New Orleans
— New Orleans: Carolina, at Atlanta
Here’s solid summary of what the Skins/WFT need to make playoffs after laying an egg in Big D from my buddy @NFLScenarios
WAS wins almost all tiebreakers (except NO)…only reason they have a shot @JPFinlayNBCS pic.twitter.com/U9Mt0QRcGV
— Joe Ferreira (@JoeNFL) December 30, 2021
