Breaking down the NFC Wild Card race

• Washington Redskins (6-5)

Many people are counting the Redskins out because of the loss of Alex Smith. I wouldn’t count them out just yet. Despite throwing three INTs against the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving, Colt McCoy is a very capable backup. It was a short week for the Redskins, meaning McCoy got little to no time with the starting offense in practice. We’ll see how he can do this week after having more time to prepare.

Even if Colt McCoy doesn’t perform as the Redskins would like him to, this team still stands a chance in the NFC Wild Card race. This defense ranks seventh in points allowed per game, giving up an average of 20.8 points. Even when Alex Smith wasn’t hurt, the defense is what carried the Redskins throughout the season to this point.

With a defense like the Redskins have, they should at least be able to stay in every contest the rest of the way. Their schedule isn’t terribly tough, as they play the Eagles, Giants, Jaguars, Titans and Eagles again. The only team on their schedule with a winning record currently is the Titans (5-5). Do I think the Redskins will hold on to the sixth spot they currently hold in the NFC Wild Card race? No. I do however, think they have a decent chance at the playoffs.

• Seattle Seahawks (6-5)

Despite being on the outside looking in in the NFC Wild Card race right now, I do believe the Seattle Seahawks will make the playoffs. Their last two games have been victories over the Packers and Panthers, who are both also in the hunt for the playoffs. This is also the team who almost beat the 10-1 Rams twice this season. They haven’t been able to beat the Rams, but they have at least competed with them.

Looking at Seattle’s schedule, they have three games they should win. Those games are against the 49ers, 49ers again and the Cardinals. That would elevate them to nine wins.

Their tough games come against the Vikings and Chiefs. I believe the Seahawks will beat the Vikings, but lose to the Chiefs, giving them a record of 10-6 to end the season. That should be enough to get them in the playoffs. Seattle did themselves some favors by beating the Cowboys and Panthers this season, giving them the tie breaker over both teams. If the race for either the five or six spots comes down to those three teams and they have the same record, Seattle wins.

I expect the Seahawks to make the most of their schedule and work their way into the playoffs in a tough NFC Wild Card race.

• Carolina Panthers (6-5)

After being 6-2 and looking like a shoe in for a Wild Card spot, the Carolina Panthers have lost three straight games. Losing to the Seahawks last week hurts them, as Seattle now holds the tie breaker if it comes down to that. They also lost to the Redskins earlier in the year, which is why they’re currently ranked below them.

The good news for the Panthers, is the fact that they have wins over the Eagles and Cowboys. Both are teams who are part of the NFC Wild Card race. While that helps them, they still have to worry about getting a better record than both the Redskins and Seahawks for a chance to make the playoffs.

Looking at their remaining schedule, that may be difficult to do. Their next two games are very winnable, having to play the Buccaneers and Browns. After that though, things may not be so easy. Carolina still has to play the Saints twice, while also facing the Falcons, who are another division rival.

I’m betting on the Saints winning both games, meaning the Panthers will finish with a 9-7 record at best. Nine wins may not be enough to make the playoffs this year with such a crowded NFC Wild Card race.