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After having won five straight games, a Washington Redskins team that started out 3-6 is in the drivers' seat to make the postseason: with wins in their final two games, they will clinch the NFC East title and make the playoffs for the first time since 2007.
Right now, there's a three-way tie for first atop the division: with a shutout loss by the New York Giants and an overtime win by the Dallas Cowboys, all three squads are knotted at 8-6. All three clubs can't win out, as the Redskins and Cowboys play each other Week 17. A three-way tie would still be possible if all three teams go 1-1 over the next two weeks, in which case a tie would likely go to the Redskins due to their better record in divisional play (currently 3-1).
First up for the Skins are the Philadelphia Eagles, who have lost nine of their last 10 games. A win would grant the Redskins an opportunity to clinch in the pivotal game against Dallas.
The Cowboys face a New Orleans team that just shut out Tampa Bay on Sunday. New York closes the season with the Baltimore Ravens, who looked bad against the Denver Broncos this past week, and then the lowly Eagles.
The Redskins could also clinch a Wild Card berth if they don't win their division, but with the Seahawks at 9-5 and Bears and Vikings also at 8-6, that seems less likely.