Prolific (Clinton) Portis = Washington Redskins in the Playoffs

Portis has 1,206 yards on 244 carries, good for almost five yards a carry, and seven touchdowns to go with 22 catches for 172 yards in 11 games, and has only lost one fumble.

In a West Coast offense, traditionally dependent on dink and dunk passes, Portis is less than 400 yards away from topping his career-best 1,591 yards (2003, with
Denver, but notably in only 13 games). Needless to say, Portis is the Redskins' portal to the 2008 NFL playoffs.

Indeed, as Portis goes, so go the Skins.  Portis has only 332 yards in the 'Skins' four losses, an average of only about 80 yards a game.  The key to the 'Skins making the playoffs is Portis' ability to establish the run, which allows the 'Skins to explore the pass.  

Against the weak Seattle secondary, the 'Skins stepped up their deep attacks, and while
they had limited success, it was Portis' up front dominance that allowed them to take those shots that keep defenses honest. Look for the 'Skins to continue to explore game-changing 20+ yard passes as a result of Portis' 100+ yard per game consistency.

He can't do it alone, though, and he's pretty banged up with nagging hip and knee injuries. Thus, to make the playoffs, the 'Skins will need some help from NFC foes losing critical games, especially the Cowboys. The Redskins are currently tied for second place in the crazy-competitive NFC East, and their defense is among the NFL's best.

They've only given up 199 points, matching the same tally surrendered by the dominant New York Giants (however, the Giants have beaten their opponents by a combined 130 points).  

The 'Skins have only outscored their opponents by a measly two points, and have scored only 20 TDs all season.

However, the Redskins' remaining opponents are a combined 26 - 27, and take away the Giants, and their remaining foes are a combined 16-26. The 'Skins play the Giants and Eagles at home. The hapless Bengals, the up-the-road inconsistent Ravens, and the Singletary-fied 49ers are their remaining road games. Of the bunch, the Giants at home, and the Ravens at M&T, look to be the toughest challenges.

The 'Skins should end up a respectable, and hopefully playoff-worthy, 10-6, if not 11-5. But will it be enough?

The Contenders

The Bucs and Panthers are tied for the NFC South lead, both sporting 8-3 records. The Bucs should finish at 11-5. The Falcons are a surprising 7-4, but will likely fade to 9-7 as a result of a very tough remaining slate and their typical December falterings.

Carolina also has a tough remaining schedule and will likely finish at 10-6. Look for either the Bucs or Panthers to secure the remaining NFC wild card.

The Bears and Vikings are tied for the NFC North lead at 6-5, and the loser between the two won't be in position for a wild-card spot. The Cards are running away with the underachieving NFC West.

In the end, the 'Skins' home loss to the Cowboys, who are also currently 7-4, could come back to haunt them. The 'Boys look to be building momentum with the return of Romo and the addition of Roy Williams to their receiver corps. The loss of Felix Jones will hurt, to be sure, but Marion Barber should fill that gap just fine.

Their remaining opponents are the Steelers, Giants, Seahawks, Ravens, and Eagles, with both remaining road games taking the 'Boys to PA. The 'Boys will likely finish at 9-7 or 10-6, depending on what Ravens team shows up in Dallas.

The X factor will likely be Portis' now-legendary toughness. If Portis can survive five more games, the 'Skins have a shot, with some luck. They will likely run into the Giants and see an early exit, but hope goes a long way.