The Washington Redskins are on the outside looking in for the NFC playoffs. They may not get a second look, either.
Losing, 31-23, to the Arizona Cardinals Dec. 4 may prove to be the postseason death knell for Washington. The Redskins are now 6-5-1 and behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-5) for the final playoff slot. If Tampa Bay outlasts the Atlanta Falcons (7-5) for the NFC South crown, Washington is still one game back of Atlanta. And, catching the New York Giants (8-4) for the other wild card slot is doubtful, though the two meet in the season finale Jan. 1.
What happened? After winning four straight earlier this season and returning from its Nov. 6 bye with convincing victories against the Minnesota Vikings Nov. 13 and Green Bay Packers Nov. 20, Washington has flamed out with losses to the Dallas Cowboys Nov. 24 and Arizona that left head coach Jay Gruden screaming at his team in the postgame locker room after the most recent game.
