The Washington Commanders are off this week. After playing 13 consecutive weeks, Washington will have its bye week. At 8-5, the Commanders’ first 13 weeks could not have gone much better.
Despite a recent three-game losing streak in which Washington blew two games, the Commanders remain in an excellent position to make the NFC playoffs. It’s a remarkable accomplishment, considering Washington won four games last season.
Here’s a current look at the NFC playoff field:
- Detroit Lions
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Seattle Seahawks
- Atlanta Falcons
- Minnesota Vikings
- Green Bay Packers
- Washington Commanders
We explained why Washington may want to avoid the No. 7 seed. Whoever becomes the seventh seed must travel to Detroit or Philadelphia in January. The Lions and Eagles look like the NFC’s clear frontrunners ahead of the rest of the pack.
So, how can the Commanders move out of the No. 7 spot and into a higher seed? Well, things got off to a good start on Thursday night when the Lions defeated the Packers. The loss dropped Green Bay to 9-4 — only one game ahead of Washington.
First, the Commanders need their closest competitors for the seventh seed to lose, but they could use some help from the teams in front of them. Washington is currently 2.5 games behind Philadelphia in the NFC East. While they have a head-to-head meeting remaining, it’s difficult to see the Eagles losing enough games for the Commanders to catch them.
Which teams should Washington fans be rooting for in Week 14?
Here is the Commanders’ Week 14 rooting guide:
Lions over Packers
Mission accomplished, as Detroit defeated Green Bay 34-31 on Thursday.
Falcons over Vikings
Atlanta is a game-and-a-half behind the Commanders in the Wild Card picture but currently is atop the NFC South, ahead of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. So, yeah, while you’d like to see the Falcons lose, Washington plays them in a few weeks. Meanwhile, a Minnesota loss would put the Commanders only two games out of the No. 5 seed.
Panthers over Eagles
Yeah, it’s not happening, but Washington fans will always root against the Eagles.
Raiders over Buccaneers
The Bucs defeated the Commanders in Week 1. Since then, much has changed, and Tampa could end up as the NFC South champions. The Buccaneers are playing better football than the Falcons right now. However, the Commanders would love to see the Bucs fall further down the NFC pecking order.
Seahawks over Cardinals
This one is tough. These teams are battling for the NFC West. Washington destroyed Arizona this season. Someone has to win the division, so the Commanders should hope for the Cardinals to fall further back in the Wild Card race.
Bills over Rams
The Rams (6-6) are also battling the Cardinals and Seahawks for the NFC West title. Washington should want the AFC powerhouse Bills to push Los Angeles further down the playoff picture.
Bears over 49ers
Washington is 2.5 games ahead of the Niners (5-7), while the Bears are 4-8. Another loss for the 49ers would all but end their season, which was not what anyone expected in July.
