3 Reasons Why The Redskins Can Be A Legit NFC Playoff Force

The Washington Redskins are currently alone atop the NFC East after a 35-25 home win over the Buffalo Bills, and the way they performed all day long has us convinced that this team is headed to the playoffs. If (when) they get there, here's three reasons why they'll do some damage.

3. First-Round Matchup

The Redskins' two most likely Wild Card opponents are the Minnesota Vikings and Seattle Seahawks -- two teams that lean heavy on the running game and have watched their passing game play hide-and-seek all season long. Seattle's currently without their two top running backs (Marshawn Lynch, Thomas Rawls) and Minnesota's holding their breath about Adrian Peterson's ankle tweak suffered on Sunday.

If Washington draws either of those teams, they'll be facing offenses that could be limited in the areas which usually serve as strengths. That's a key tactical break.

2. Home-Field Advantage

Tens of thousands of Redskins fans dying for some playoff success? A home-stadium experience that is criminally underrated? D.C fans can shatter the sound barrier even more so than the 12th Man in Seattle, creating a unique environment that's simply intimidating for opposing teams.

How intimidating? Washington is just 1-5 on the road this year, but they're a stellar 6-2 at FedEx Field. The #4 seed will make the Redskins prohibitive favorites to win a Wild Card matchup.

1. Kirk Cousins

In case you haven't been paying attention, the Redskins starting QB has figuratively been sticking his middle finger up at his critics over the past month or so -- posting a quarterback rating in four of five games while leading the Redskins to the top of the NFC East at 7-7. Cousins was near perfect in two of those contests, posting ratings over 150 (including a perfect 158.3) and eight combined touchdowns in wins over the Saints and Bills. 

Remember when Cousins was being mentioned in the same breath as Brandon Weeden by snarky NFL "experts?" What happened to that?