How The Redskins Can Clinch A Playoff Berth This Weekend

If you're a Redskins fan (and judging by the fact that you clicked on this post, you probably are), then you may be feeling something different this December.

Don't worry, you don't need WebMD to figure this one out. You're just experiencing the rare feeling of your favorite football team actually being relevant at the end of the regular season. With two weeks left, the 8-6 Redskins (who are at or over .500 entering Week 16 for just the ninth time in the past two decades and not in last place in their division entering Week 16 for the first time since 2007) are in a three-way tie for first in the NFC East, the latest that they've been in such a position in 13 years. Not bad for a team that entered its bye week at 3-6.

Now, a division championship guarantees Washington a playoff home game in the Wild Card round (something it also hasn't experienced in 13 years; ticket information can be found here). The Redskins cannot clinch the division this Sunday, but can wrap up a playoff berth.

Here's how, courtesy of the NFL Network. For the Redskins to clinch their first playoff spot since 2007...

They must defeat the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday...
...AND the New York Giants have to lose to the Baltimore Ravens...
...AND the Chicago Bears have to lose to the Arizona Cardinals...
...AND the Minnesota Vikings have to lose to the Houston Texans

So, not necessarily the easiest road, but the most important thing is for the Redskins to win. They control their own destiny (they hold the tiebreaker over the Giants and Cowboys based on head-to-head win percentage), so as long as the 'Skins don't screw up, we should be getting January football in the District.

Well, Landover.