FPI likes Washington to boost playoff chances vs. Panthers

Washington hosts the Carolina Panthers Monday night in a game that is meaningless for the Panthers but vital for Washington's playoff chances. Washington is currently 14th in ESPN's Football Power Index and has a 61 percent chance to beat Carolina. Jay Gruden's squad has good reason to feel good about this game. Kirk Cousins is leading the fourth-most efficient offense in the NFL and is having his best season.

Cousins' offensive line has kept the pressure off, and Cousins has delivered by completing 53 percent of his passes 15 or more yards down the field. He has thrown only two red-zone interceptions all season, with 12 red zone passing touchdowns.

Panthers QB Cam Newton, however, has struggled this season, ranking 21st in QBR and recording only four games with a QBR above 70 (Cousins has eight). He has thrown three fewer red zone TDs than Cousins.

Newton's one advantage is that he will be throwing against the NFL's 29th-ranked defense by efficiency. Washington's defense is allowing opponents to complete 67 percent of passes (fourth-highest in the league) and has intercepted only 1.6 percent of opponent passes (tied for seventh-lowest in the NFL). Newton has not taken advantage of too many defenses this season, but Washington will likely provide him a good opportunity to get back on track.

Washington is playing for more than just a regular-season win. It currently has a 52 percent chance to make the playoffs and is projected to win nine games. Without a win, its playoff chances drop to 20 percent, meaning Gruden & Co. would have about the same chance to make the playoffs as the Dallas Cowboys do of winning the Super Bowl. A win, though, boosts Washington's playoff chances over 70 percent, making this game a vital piece of the playoff picture for that club and the rest of the NFC.

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