Here. Enjoy.
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/blog/e...-pile-week-12-is-anyone-scared-of-the-falcons
Washington Back in the Wild-Card Race?
The NFC wild-card race should be fun to watch. Even after getting hammered on Sunday night, I'd expect the Packers to pick up the first seed there, assuming they can sweep the Vikings. Seattle, with three home games left, is a good bet for the second spot. But how about the Redskins as a sleeper to sneak in?
They have a quarterback in Robert Griffin III who can keep them in any game. They're warming up at the right time, winning two-straight division games out of the bye. They have a decent schedule with the Giants, Ravens, Browns, Eagles and Cowboys on tap. And most importantly, they have tiebreakers: the Skins beat the Vikings and Buccaneers head-to-head.
With Seattle, Tampa Bay, Minnesota and New Orleans all losing on Sunday, things are suddenly kind of sneakily opening up for Washington to make a run. Let's say they win four of their last five and finish 9-7.
Tampa plays at Denver, New Orleans and Atlanta. Anything above 8-8 would be impressive. The Vikings have the Packers twice, the Texans and the Bears. Is 7-9 out of the question? Seattle could lose two games on the road and then at home to San Francisco to finish 9-7 with a 6-6 conference record. Even with a loss to the Giants, closing out with wins over Philly and Dallas would get Washington to 7-5 in the conference.
It's a long shot. I admit as much. But it's worth noting as we prep for the stretch run.
Or good one anyway -- there are a group of teams (Seattle, Tampa Bay, Minnesota, New Orleans, Washington, Dallas) bunched up at either 6-5 or 5-6 and prepared to duel it out for the last spot, with Green Bay (7-4) holding a slight advantage.
But look at that list of teams again because they all lost on Sunday. Seattle choked in Miami, Minnesota got hammered by the Bears, Tampa Bay couldn't stop Matt Ryan from marching late and the Saints were overpowered by the 49ers defense. Washington's the only team that made up any ground this week.
Eli-te, Again
Of course, it would be totally irresponsible to get on the Redskins hype train without also pointing out that the Giants have a shot to basically wrap up the NFC East when they head to Washington in Week 13.
Oh yes, and that the Giants team that showed up in New York on Sunday night and whipped the Packers 38-10 sure did look like the Giants team that tends to get insanely hot after Thanksgiving and storm into the playoffs.