Redskins Keys to Making the Playoffs
Playoffs are not out of the question for the Redskins, but as of now are not likely. Sitting at 4-5, here are a few keys to the Redskins playoff hopes:
- Win out, or at least almost. They won’t catch the Eagles for NFC East champions, so a wild card is their best shot. With the current wild card leaders (Panthers and Seahawks) at 7-3 and 6-3 respectively, The Redskins probably need to end at 10-6 to have a good chance. That means only one more loss.
- Find a way to improve the run game. Rob Kelley went down last week and was put on Injured Reserve, but he was hardly helpful even when healthy, averaging 3.1 yards per carry. Chris Thompson has been praised for being a good receiver out of the backfield, but has also been the more effective rusher, averaging 4.6 yards per carry. Thompson has only had more than ten carries in one game, however, limiting his possibilities for big yardage. Whether it be letting Thompson rush more, or a breakout from rookie Samaje Perine, The Redskins run game needs to be of more use going forward.
- Get it together on defense. Easier said than done, I understand. But a playoff team can’t lose a game in which they put up 30 points on offense, like they did last week against the Vikings. While Josh Norman has not been as consistent as needed, the safeties and the DL are the bigger problem. The pass rush has been essentially nonexistent giving QBs as much time as they need. Whether the change be players returning from injury, or backups stepping up and improving, there needs to be a change in order for playoff chances.
- Get Clutch, Captain Kirk. If there has been one rag on Kirk Cousins, it has been his inconsistency in big situations. He’s been getting better recently, but these must-win games are going to be close, and with no consistent RB to turn to, no WR1 to force feed, and a defense that will likely get scored on with a few minutes left in any given game, Kirk needs to be the leader he has shown he can be late in games.
- Get a little lucky. The Seahawks, Panthers, Cowboys, Lions, Packers, and Falcons all have better records right now and are not winning their divisions either. If any two of these teams continue on a winning track, the Redskins can kiss their chances goodbye.
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