NFL playoffs: Ranking the NFC teams still in the 2022 wildcard hunt

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SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 24: Chase Young #99 of the Washington Commanders looks on after the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on December 24, 2022 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

NFL playoff hopeful #4: Washington Commanders – NFC East

Currently slotted in as the 7th seed in the NFC, the Commanders have had quite an interesting season to this point.

After trading for former #2 pick Carson Wentz in the offseason and banking on the progression of a scary defense that includes 4 first-round picks on the defensive line( Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, Montez Sweat, Chase Young), Washington looked to make some noise this season.

However, the Commanders ran into some early-season trouble, as the team started 1-4 and lost Carson Wentz to injury in week 6.

Insert backup QB Taylor Heinicke, who led a turnaround that saw Washington climb back to their now 7-7-1 record, including a 6-1 record immediately following their 1-4 start to the season.

Now cleared from injury, the Commanders have made the decision the roll with Carson Wentz for what will be a pivotal final two weeks for the team.

Win out and they’ve punched their ticket to the playoffs. A loss, however, could put their playoff hopes in serious jeopardy, and missing the playoffs could raise questions about the decision-making in Washington for benching the guy who turned their season around (Heinicke), for an erratic decision-maker who started the season 1-4 (Wentz).

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