Two of the biggest stories in the NFC this season are colliding in the Wild Card Playoff: the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Washington Football Team. Well, the NFC East as a whole was a story due to the division being a dumpster fire. But somebody had to win it, and thanks to Doug Pederson phoning it in entering the final quarter, the Washington Football Team took the NFC East at an impressive 7-9. The first season under their identity after removing their immensely controversial team name, and it also saw Alex Smith return to the football field after two years, as well as Ron Rivera serve as coach while also battling cancer. This is Washington's first playoff appearance since 2015.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made headlines when Tom Brady became their new QB after 20 years leading the Patriots. I loved this, because for about five years I've said that Brady would get killed in the NFC, that he couldn't handle being in a real conference after enjoying all those years in a terrible AFC. And this season? I was right. Manhandled by the Saints, lost to the Bears, lost to the Rams, and sputtered to a playoff spot at 11-5.
2020 Statistics
Washington Football Team
Total Offense: 5,076 yds; 317.3 ypg (30th) Passing Offense: 3,465 yds; 216.6 ypg (25th) Rushing Offense: 1,611 yds; 100.7 ypg (26th) Total Defense: 4,873 yds; 304.6 ypg (2nd) Passing Defense: 3,068 yds; 191.8 ypg (2nd) Rushing Defense: 1,805 yds; 112.8 ypg (T-13th)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Total Offense: 6,145 yds; 384.1 ypg (7th) Passing Offense: 4,626 yds; 289.1 ypg (2nd) Rushing Offense: 1,519 yds; 94.9 ypg (28th) Total Defense: 5,234 yds; 327.1 ypg (6th) Passing Defense: 3,945 yds; 246.6 ypg (21st) Rushing Defense: 1,289 yds; 80.6 ypg (1st)
Only 80 rushing yards against per game. That's amazing. That's really not going to be a problem due to Washington's faulty run attack. Washington as a whole is offensively challenged, and it doesn't help that they've committed the most giveaways among this year's playoff teams, which plays a factor in their -4 turnover ratio (tied with the Bears for the lowest among this year's playoff teams). Their defense will have to lead the way, and they have two things going for them: a) they're at home, and b) sub-.500 playoff teams are undefeated in the Wild Card Playoff so far (2-0). An added bonus: Ron Rivera was the head coach of the 7-8-1 NFC South Champion Carolina Panthers, who won a playoff game that year.
Prediction: Washington by 3
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