Riggo's Rag
FanSided

Ranking the 3 teams who could spoil Commanders’ playoff hopes

By Jerry Trotta

Oct 30, 2022; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) escapes a tackle attempt by New York Giants linebacker Jihad Ward (55) to rush for a touchdown during the fourth quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2022; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) escapes a tackle attempt by New York Giants linebacker Jihad Ward (55) to rush for a touchdown during the fourth quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 3
Next

After 13 exhausting weeks, the Washington Commanders finally get a break from football this weekend. When they return, however, they’ll play the most important game of their season against the NY Giants, after the game, which previously didn’t have a set date and time, got flexed to Sunday Night Football.

If the season ended today, Washington would be out of the playoffs. That’s the consequence of their disappointing tie vs the Giants in Week 13.

The good news is the Commanders don’t have cavalcade of teams to fend off in order to fulfill their playoff dream. With the Cowboys solidified as the top Wild Card seed, Terry McLaurin and company only have a trio of teams to worry about over the final four weeks.

As always, a surprising squad could emerge with an unforeseen winning streak. For now, though, let’s power rank the three teams who could ruin the Commanders’ playoff hopes. Any guess whom they might be?

Ranking 3 teams who could spoil Commanders’ playoff hopes

Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Detroit Lions (5-7)

Don’t look now, but the Lions are only two games back of a Wild Card spot after rattling off four wins in their last five games. Remember, they were unlucky not to defeat Buffalo on Thanksgiving, so they could easily be 5-0 in their last five. Nevertheless, you’d be hard-pressed to name many teams playing better than Detroit right now, and they’re fresh off pummeling the Jaguars.

The fighting Dan Campbell’s will be tested against the Vikings on Sunday, but they could be favored in their final four games against the Jets, Panthers, Bears and Packers; only one of whom (NYJ) have a winning record entering Week 14.

And finally, the Lions own the tiebreaker over the Commanders and Giants, so they don’t even have to jump them in the standings before season’s end to get in the dance.

Detroit is quietly loaded on offense with Amon-Ra St. Brown, D’Andre Swift, Jamaal Williams — the NFL’s rushing touchdown leader (! — and first-round pick Jameson Williams, who was just activated off injured reserve after completing his ACL recovery. No wonder Jared Goff is playing the best football of his career.

Look out for the Lions, folks. They should have everyone’s attention by now.

Home/Commanders News