Commanders get significant playoff-seeding boost without lifting a finger

The Washington Commanders are getting some much-needed rest and recuperation during their long-awaited bye week. Even so, head coach Dan Quinn and his players will have half an eye on events around the league.

In particular, those also looking to secure postseason football within the NFC.

It seemed for a long time as if the Commanders were a lock to make the playoffs. They were atop the NFC East after a remarkable start to the campaign under the new regime. A disappointing slump evaporated their cushion and allowed the Philadelphia Eagles to take control within the division.

Credit to the Commanders for showing the correct resolve. They fought through adversity to pick up a vital win against the Tennessee Titans at Northwest Stadium in Week 13. Some other results around the conference went in their favor, giving them a clear run at the seventh seed at 8-5 with four games remaining.

That could diminish or increase depending on how things shake out this weekend. There was also a chance for the Commanders to little up rather than down with the right result.

Commanders get early bye week playoff boost with Packers defeat

This put the divisional battle between the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers on Thursday Night Football firmly under the microscope. Both teams are ahead of Washington in the standings. That might not be the case for much longer.

The Lions dup deep amid their significant injury crisis to overcome the Packers. They took Detroit, who hold the No. 1 seed after a phenomenal season to date, right to the limit without doing enough. This takes them to 9-4 on the season, one game ahead of the Commanders.

The sixth seed is now within touching distance of Quinn's men. They have to navigate their stretch run at the business end of the campaign effectively. However, there's just no telling what securing the No. 6 spot would do for the team's chances of making noise in the knockout rounds.

If the Commanders are forced to settle for the seventh seed, a trip to the Eagles is their likely reward. That is far from ideal given how Washington has fared more often than not at Lincoln Financial Field in recent years.

Should the Commanders rise and get the sixth seed, they'll probably get the NFC West division leader on the road. That's the Seattle Seahawks currently, which is another hostile environment but far more winnable than traveling to Philadelphia.

Here's who the Commanders and Packers will face the rest of the way:

Commanders' remaining games in 2024

• at New Orleans Saints (Week 15)
• vs. Philadelphia Eagles (Week 16)
• vs. Atlanta Falcons (Week 17)
• at Dallas Cowboys (Week 18)

Packers' remaining games in 2024

• at Seattle Seahawks (Week 15)
• vs. New Orleans Saints (Week 16)
• at Minnesota Vikings (Week 17)
• vs. Chicago Bears (Week 18)

The Commanders need a one or two-game swing from these fixtures. Whether they can get it or not is another matter.

Quinn won't be worrying too much about that. He'll be focused on getting the Commanders into the postseason rather than worrying about the permutations going on outside of his control. Taking things one game at a time and seeing where it takes Washington is the smartest course of action.

There's a long way to go. But the Commanders got an early boost on their bye week without lifting a finger.

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