Commanders Playoff Odds Watch: Rooting Guide for Week 13

The Washington Commanders control their own destiny when it comes to making the playoffs. Currently the holders of the No. 7 seed, Washington could jump to No. 6 with a win over the Giants at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.

Who knows? If the Cowboys were to slip up in primetime against the Colts in primetime, the Commanders would be just one game behind Dallas with four games left to play. Let’s not get too ahead of ourselves, though.

Washington can only control what’s in front of them, and that’s the 7-4 Giants. For all of their recent struggles, New York has wins against Baltimore and Tennessee, and their win in Jacksonville in Week 7 looks better every week.

While the Commanders are fully-focused on the G-Men, fans will be scoreboard watching throughout the weekend to see how teams in the playoff race are doing. Without further ado, here’s your Week 13 playoff rooting guide.

Commanders playoff rooting guide for Week 13

Pittsburgh Steelers at Atlanta Falcons

At 5-7, the Falcons aren’t dead yet. While the Commanders own the head-to-head tiebreaker over Atlanta, Arthur Smith’s side has a winnable game against the Steelers in Week 13 before playing the Saints, Ravens, Cardinals, and Buccaneers in the final four weeks. Can you honestly pencil in a loss in any of those games?

Time to embrace being a Steelers fan on Sunday. Put the Falcons out of their misery so they’re no longer nipping at the Commanders’ heels. Remember: Atlanta was a goal-line touchdown away from knocking off Washington on the road and improving to 6-7. It’s foolish to think their race has been run.

Jacksonville Jaguars at Detroit Lions

After winning three in a row and pushing Buffalo to the brink on Thanksgiving, Detroit has gained steam as a sneaky candidate for the No. 7 seed. A lot of things will have to fall int heir favor — like the Giants and Seahawks faltering down the stretch — but a win over the Jaguars would put the Lions at 5-7 with winnable games against the Vikings, Jets, Panthers, Bears and Packers to close the season.

A Jaguars win, however, would put this conversation to bed.

Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Rams

The Rams really sold their soul or a championship. With Matthew Stafford in concussion protocol, Aaron Donald undergoing tests on his ankle and Allen Robinson being done for the season, Los Angeles has seemingly given up on the season.

Having said that, the Super Bowl favorite Chief struggled to put away the Bryce Perkins-led contingent in Week 12. The Seahawks have dropped two straight, allowing a combined 61 points in those games, so perhaps Sean McVay’s group can make this a ballgame at home and potentially steal a win from Seattle.

At 6-5, the Seahawks have the No. 8 seed, right behind Washington.

Indianapolis Colts at Dallas Cowboys

Don’t need a big explanation here. The Cowboys are the prohibitive favorites to land the fifth seed in the NFC, but hear us out for a minute. If Indianapolis upsets Dallas in Jerry’s World, Washington would be one game behind the Cowboys with potentially all to play for in the Week 18 showdown at FedEx Field.

After getting the Texans in Week 14, Dallas will play the Jaguars, Eagles and Titans, respectively, before traveling to Washington in Week 18.

Something to think about! The No. 5 seed isn’t out of reach.

(bold predictions)