Three things the Redskins can learn from the 2020 playoffs

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 11: Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers signals from the sidelines during the NFC Divisional Round Playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings at Levi's Stadium on January 11, 2020 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 11: Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers signals from the sidelines during the NFC Divisional Round Playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings at Levi's Stadium on January 11, 2020 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – JANUARY 11: Head coach Mike Vrabel hugs Rashaan Evans #54 of the Tennessee Titans during the closing moments of AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on January 11, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – JANUARY 11: Head coach Mike Vrabel hugs Rashaan Evans #54 of the Tennessee Titans during the closing moments of AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on January 11, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

No. 1 – Culture matters

Culture indeed matters in NFL football, and while it’s not hard to come to that conclusion without the help of outside resources, the physical example that playoff football provides is more than enough evidence to support the notion.

A strong culture serves as a deal breaker of sorts. If your team makes it to the playoffs without a strong culture, it’ll get weeded out fairly quickly. The Redskins of the twenty-first century have experienced this exactly four times. Teams with strong cultures, conversely, have a foundational match with other teams of the same nature, giving them a common ground on which to compete.

A strong culture can help unheralded teams defy the odds and beat perceivably more talented or more established teams, as we’ve seen with the Tennessee Titans so far this playoff season. The Titans bested the New England Patriots in the wild card round, then came to Baltimore and dominated the unsuspecting Ravens. The Titans have plenty of talent, but they were clear underdogs in both these games, and yet, they won both.

Other teams in the championship round like the Chiefs, 49ers, and Packers are all known for their strong cultures, among other things. It’s the factor that gets you to this stage. And it’s ultimately what the Redskins need Ron Rivera to give them.