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NFL Playoffs: Five reasons Washington Redskins won’t win NFC East

By John Buhler

Nov 29, 2015; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins running back Matt Jones (31) carries the ball past New York Giants middle linebacker Jasper Brinkley (53) in the fourth quarter at FedEx Field. The Redskins won 20-14. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 29, 2015; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins running back Matt Jones (31) carries the ball past New York Giants middle linebacker Jasper Brinkley (53) in the fourth quarter at FedEx Field. The Redskins won 20-14. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 30, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder on the sidelines during pre-game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder on the sidelines during pre-game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Dysfunctional Organizational Culture

For better or worse, the Daniel Snyder Era of the Washington Redskins has been both highly dysfunctional, but also somehow stable enough to garner a playoff berth every three years or so. Given the annual turnover in the NFL with playoff teams and number of spots available, an NFL team, even one with a dysfunctional culture, should make the postseason once every five years.

Surprisingly, the Redskins have had the least amount of on-the-field distractions of any team in the NFC East this year. Philadelphia has had to deal with a putrid offense that isn’t working for head coach Chip Kelly. The New York Giants are running out of suitable offensive linemen and their secondary stops no one. Then there is the 2015 Dallas Cowboys who have had the most dysfunction of any team in the NFC this season.

However, in the final five games of the regular season for the 5-6 2015 Washington Redskins, don’t think for a second that they’re impervious to getting in their own way. Sure, head coach Jay Gruden is doing a fine job in an unstable coaching environment and quarterback Kirk Cousins is actually an improvement over former franchise superstar quarterback Robert Griffin, III, but this is the Washington Redskins: a franchise that has arguably been the most decadent team of the last 15 years.

They haven’t done it yet, but the Redskins’ 5-6 start to 2015 is certainly bound to do something quirky here in the final month of the regular season. Recent history isn’t on their side.

Next: 2. Bad with the Run

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