This miracle scenario could help Washington capture their playoff dreams

Believe it or not, even after the blowout loss to the Cowboys, the Washington Football Team is not mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. There is a scenario where Washington could backdoor their way into the postseason.

Yes, you are right, this is crazy. The Washington Football Team is fresh off a shellacking from their arch-nemesis on national television. They were outclassed in every way by a superior opponent. Some of you may be doing your best Jim Mora impression: “Playoffs? Playoffs? I just hope we can win another game.”

All of which is justified. Washington’s pride and playoff chances took a major hit in their hapless defeat Sunday. But there is still a chance. And a chance is all anyone ever needed. Crazier things have happened. Here is the scenario fans should be cheering for to get Washington a spot in the playoffs.

There are other less likely scenarios but we deemed this one to be the most likely to happen.

The New Year’s miracle needed to catapult Washington into the playoffs

So to start, here’s a list of the teams competing for the final wild-card spot: Saints, Eagles, Falcons, and Vikings. There is a scenario where the 49ers could become a factor, but with a matchup on deck against the Texans, you can most likely lock them into the No. 6 seed.

Let’s dive in!

First off, before any fan gets ahead of themselves, Washington must win their final two games to finish 8-9. This scenario means nothing if Washington does not handle their business.

Philadelphia Eagles: Lose final two games at Washington and at home against Dallas. Washington gets a say in this one, as they play the Eagles at FedEx Field this Sunday.

Minnesota Vikings: Lose one of their final two games (@ GB and Chicago). So essentially root for the Packers and Aaron Rodgers to handle business this Sunday. Rooting for the listless Chicago Bears is a rather dire situation to be in.

New Orleans Saints: Lose two of their final three games (vs MIA, vs CAR, @ ATL). This one may be the toughest ask of them all, but the Dolphins handled New Orleans without breaking a sweat on Monday night. The Saints defense is humming and they are playing teams down the stretch, including Carolina specifically, that are not particularly potent on offense. Their defense may be so good, it does not matter how lackluster Taysom Hill or Ian Book are.

Atlanta Flacons: Lose one of their final two games (@ BUF and NO). The best way for this scenario to play out is for Atlanta to lose on the road to the Bills and then beat the Saints at home. As long as the Saints lose to either Miami (check) or Carolina, it would leave both teams at 8-9.

If this scenario plays out like it is listed above, it would leave Washington, Philadelphia, Minnesota, New Orleans and Atlanta all with an 8-9 record. Washington would then win the tiebreaker with the best conference record at 7-5.

Essentially, it boils down to this, root for Washington and root for Atlanta, New Orleans, Minnesota and Philadelphia to lose. There is actually a scenario where Washington would simply need to beat the Giants in Week 18 and the Cowboys to beat the Eagles in Week 18 to clinch a playoff spot. That would require Miami to beat the New Orleans on Monday Night, Carolina to then beat New Orleans next week, Green Bay to beat Minnesota, Buffalo to beat Atlanta and the Washington Football Team to beat Philadelphia.

Washington needs a lot to go their way to even make Week 18’s matchup with the Giants meaningful, but it may not be as farfetched as it seems. Here’s to hoping the New Year brings some luck to the Washington Football Team.