What if we lose to Dallas and don't make the playoffs?

I know we probably don't even want to talk about this... but let's throw it out on the table anyway.

What if we lose to Dallas and don't make the playoffs?

Given everything that's happened this year with all the injuries and the Sean Taylor tragedy, will you be on the forgiving side of things or will you be furious and we're back to "Joe must go" threads all offseason?

I think it depends on how we lose. If we're dominating in the first half and then let the Cowboys come back and beat us, then I'm sure we'll see the "I told you so, Gibbs is done" threads. But if the Cowboys come out and get an early lead and we can't catch em', then I think most of us will understand that maybe these guys just ran out of gas and we'll be more on the forgiving side.

Win or not, what this team has done this year, after what its been thru, IMO is remarkable. Just like Wilbon said, look at what happened to the Falcons when they lost Vick.....they just gave up on the season (even their coach did), while the Skins rallied around each other and fought their guts out ;) till the end.

I will be excited about next season, either way you cut it. Campbell will only get better. Our offensive line will come back healthy. I'll still have questions, like how will our secondary do without Rogers, who will play LB with Rocky out, what will our cap situation look like for 2009 and beyond after we make our 08 moves, etcetera. But I'll like our chances in 2008.

Caveat though: I'd only be excited if we keep GW and Saunders. Any upheaval in the coaching staff and I'll be sad.

I'm proud of the Redskins this year, no matter what. They've shown a ton of heart, and I don't think we're that far away from being a strong playoff contender. If we miss out, I'll look back at a few games, most specifically Buffalo, and I'll be upset at Gibbs. But I absolutely won't call for his head, because without him, I'm absolutely convinced there's no way we go 3-0 since Taylor's funeral.

If we make the playoffs after this horrible year, I'll give Gibbs an A- (he can earn extra credit and get up to A+ if we go deep). If we miss, I'll give him a B-. Either way, it's a passing grade and we should never get rid of him.

Being the "glass half empty" kind of guy that I've been my whole life I've been fearing this actually happening all week, especially when I saw that we are 9 point favorites.

While I'd be very mad at all the opportunities that this team has let slip through their collective fingers I think I would still be very proud of them for putting themselves in this current position.
After Sean Taylor's death I seriously just wanted this season to be over. I thought that the loss would be too much for this team, or anyone, to handle and that while the guys would want to put forth their best efforts in his honor they'd still fall short because they'd be spent by this time. But seeing the way they've all pulled together and fought I've been very inspired. I think that regardless of what happens this Sunday we should all be proud to root for a team of such great character and passion.

As for Gibbs: I know I've been a critic of his the last few seasons and I certainly have been annoyed with many of the decisions he's made this year **cough2timeoutscough** I am amazed at the way he's been able to keep the guys on this team together and inspired. I don't know if it's his faith, his passion for football, or just the fact that he is an all around fantastic human being but I don't think anyone could have handled this difficult year any better. After the last few games I look forward to watching him lead this team next season no matter what happens this weekend.

That being said, I just hope he's got some more magic left for this season.

Jinx! Jonah! Hoodoo! Schlemiel! If we lose, it's on your head!!!!!!!!!!!!

If we lose to Dallas and do not get in It will be a heartbreaker but The sting wont last too long. This team has proven a lot over the last few games. In a vacuum it would be the worst thing in a world to lose to the Cowboys on the last day of the year and not get in.

However looking back at the 07 Redskins with all of the injuiries and tragedy the team faced finishing 8-8 would still be a proud finish. We played every game close besides N.E...and we salvaged our season during one of the harshest periods in team history, losing to Buffalo at home the week of the S.T. murder. Either way I will feel good about what the team has done.

It'd be a serious drain, I think we & the media are basically expecting the Skins to get in so much, that it would be a big upset if we lost. Expectations come w/success though, so this team needs to deal w/it.

If we lose, I'd still think there is so much to look forward to, but it would make me wonder if Joe can stomach another year. I hope he comes back regardless, but this week is probably testing him already.

I would try to stomach the pain, go to the gym more often and get ready for next season.

I knew this thread was coming. Good question though. I gotta tell you, I'll be really disappointed if we don't beat Dallas. I just want this team to do it for Sean. Do it for the city. Do it for coach Gibbs. Do it for the organization. D.C is such a magical place when the Redskins win.

I'll tell you I mostly excited and happy about having Joe Gibbs back again. I haven't been this happy about Joe Gibbs since the day he first arrived here. Deep down inside, I hoped he would just leave after this season, but not so now. I really think he has, well I don't want to say turned the corner or anything like that, but I think the pendulum is finally swinging his way again. And I like that.

I also think that as long as Gibbs is here, Taylor's legacy will always have its proper place in Redskins lore. Not that he needs to talk about Sean everytime he steps to the podium but he was, afterall, the man that drafted Taylor. I'll somehow always connect the two of them.

I think it was Lady Brave who put it best, it will be like a huge exhale if we win this damn game! This organization needs it for so many reasons this year. When you really think about it, this game is so much more than just beating Dallas and making it to the playoffs.

First off, I would be very proud of how we ended the season and would look forwards to next year when we will be very hungry and healthy and a serious contender for the title.