Kirk Cousins looks to pass the football in the first quarter against the Chicago Bears. (Getty)
The Washington Redskins, 2015-16 NFC East division champions, have became the latest in a trend of franchises to win a division in one season then miss the playoffs altogether in the following season. A streaky season, which included a four-game winning streak that began with a 29-27 victory over the Giants in New York in Week 3, ended in Week 17 in a 19-10 loss at home to those same Giants that eliminated Washington from playoff contention.
This postseason-eliminating loss came despite Washington being a comfortable favorite in its 4:25 p.m. ET game at home against the New York Giants, who were already locked into their playoffs position but had no plans to sit their starters.
Had Washington pulled out the victory, it would still have needed a very likely outcome in the NFL regular season finale to secure a playoff spot. Washington needed the Sunday night game between the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers to end in anything but a tie.
The NFC playoff picture is finalized after updating the standings for all of the Week 17 games.
NFC Playoff Field
Division Winners
Dallas Cowboys 13-3 – clinched the NFC East, a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs
Atlanta Falcons 11-5 – clinched the NFC South and a first-round bye
Seattle Seahawks 10-5-1 – clinched the NFC West
Green Bay Packers 10-6 – clinched the NFC North
Wild Card Teams
New York Giants 11-5
Detroit Lions 9-7
Wild Card match-ups
5) New York Giants at 4) Green Bay
6) Detroit at 3) Seattle
