Commander Country

How Commanders Can Miss NFL Playoffs

The Washington Commanders will likely be in the postseason, but there's a chance they could miss out.

Jeremy Brener

Dec 22, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) runs the ball after a catch against Washington Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu (4) during the fourth quarter at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images
Dec 22, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) runs the ball after a catch against Washington Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu (4) during the fourth quarter at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images / Peter Casey-Imagn Images
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The Washington Commanders are one step closer to the playoffs after stunning the Philadelphia Eagles in a Week 16 upset.

According to NFL.com, the win gave the Commanders a 94 percent chance to make it to the postseason.

One more win will secure the Commanders a spot in the playoffs, so they need to beat either the Atlanta Falcons this week or the Dallas Cowboys in Week 18 to grab a chair at the postseason table.

If the Commanders were to lose both of those games, there is still a good chance the team makes the playoffs. However, there is a doomsday scenario that could play out that would result in Washington missing the playoffs with a 10-7 record.

"In the event the Falcons take the division and both Tampa and Washington finish the season at 10-7, the H2H tie-breaker the Bucs earned in Week 1 would come into effect, sending Tampa into the tournament and Washington home for the winter. It's for this reason that Washington can clinch this week with a victory or a Bucs loss," NFL.com's Ali Bhanpuri writes.

This means the Falcons have to win against the Commanders and beat the Carolina Panthers at home in Week 18. Two wins for the Falcons gets them the NFC South division title.

If the Bucs were to beat the Panthers this week and the New Orleans Saints to finish the season, they also are 10-7, and they have the tiebreaker over the Commanders.

It's a longshot, but it's the way the Commanders are out. The best way to control their own destiny is to win a game and celebrate later.

Stick with CommanderGameday and the Locked On Commanders podcast for more FREE coverage of the Washington Commanders throughout the 2024 season.

More Washington Commanders News

• Washington Commanders' Jayden Daniels Nominated For Awards After Win Over Eagles

• Commanders' Jayden Daniels 'Became A Heavy Hitter' In Comeback Win Over Eagles

• Best and Worst Graded Commanders Offensive Players vs. Eagles in Week 16

• Commanders Stun Eagles with Practice-Perfect Game-Winner

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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