Redskins and Ravens In Fight to Make Playoffs
Local teams have surprised in their conferences this season
Tony LaBarbera
Issue date: 12/8/08 Section: Sports
In the National Football League, a team's success is often measured in terms of how far that team goes in the playoffs. Postseason success has been rare for the Washington Redskins and Baltimore Ravens over the last 12 years, with the only major achievement coming from the Ravens winning Super Bowl XXXV in 2001.
But for the first time since football returned to Baltimore, there is a good chance that both teams from Maryland will make the postseason.
Both teams have been able to reach the playoffs over the past couple years, but have not been able to pull out any victories. The Redskins made the playoffs last season, but were eliminated in the Wild Card round. Two seasons ago, the Ravens finished with the second best record in the AFC, but lost their first playoff game to the Indianapolis Colts.
As of Week 12 in the NFL season, both the Ravens and Redskins were second in their divisions and would make the playoffs if the season ended now. These teams have surprised a lot people, as neither was considered serious playoff contenders at the beginning of the season.
Preseason predictions had the Redskins finishing at the bottom of the very tough and competitive NFC East, which features the defending Super Bowl champions in the New York Giants, the Dallas Cowboys, and the Philadelphia Eagles, all which were considered Super Bowl contenders.
Even coming off a season where they had made the playoffs, no one gave the Redskins a real shot in the NFC East. Several factors were a new head coach in Jim Zorn, a new offensive system for quarterback Jason Campbell to learn, and an aging defense. But nothing has seemed to slow this team down, as they have surprised everyone in the NFC.
Jason Campbell has had his most productive and efficient season yet, flourishing under Zorn's West Coast offense. Running back Clinton Portis has been as solid a back as there is in the league, and lead the NFL in rushing as of week 12. Key victories have come over Dallas, Philadelphia, Arizona, and New Orleans, all teams that currently in the playoff hunt.
But for the first time since football returned to Baltimore, there is a good chance that both teams from Maryland will make the postseason.
Both teams have been able to reach the playoffs over the past couple years, but have not been able to pull out any victories. The Redskins made the playoffs last season, but were eliminated in the Wild Card round. Two seasons ago, the Ravens finished with the second best record in the AFC, but lost their first playoff game to the Indianapolis Colts.
As of Week 12 in the NFL season, both the Ravens and Redskins were second in their divisions and would make the playoffs if the season ended now. These teams have surprised a lot people, as neither was considered serious playoff contenders at the beginning of the season.
Preseason predictions had the Redskins finishing at the bottom of the very tough and competitive NFC East, which features the defending Super Bowl champions in the New York Giants, the Dallas Cowboys, and the Philadelphia Eagles, all which were considered Super Bowl contenders.
Even coming off a season where they had made the playoffs, no one gave the Redskins a real shot in the NFC East. Several factors were a new head coach in Jim Zorn, a new offensive system for quarterback Jason Campbell to learn, and an aging defense. But nothing has seemed to slow this team down, as they have surprised everyone in the NFC.
Jason Campbell has had his most productive and efficient season yet, flourishing under Zorn's West Coast offense. Running back Clinton Portis has been as solid a back as there is in the league, and lead the NFL in rushing as of week 12. Key victories have come over Dallas, Philadelphia, Arizona, and New Orleans, all teams that currently in the playoff hunt.
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