This chart appeared in the paper this morning, but not on the website. It helps the story to have this closer look at the three teams:

Playoffs: And the Seahawks will face …

Three teams are playing this weekend for a wild-card spot and the right to meet the Seahawks in the first round of the playoffs. Here's a closer look at the Redskins, Vikings and Saints:

Washington Redskins
* Record: 8-7
* Opponent: host Dallas (13-2)
* What needs to happen: The Redskins are in with a win, or losses by the Vikings and Saints.
* What they do best: Persevere. The Redskins have overcome losses, on and off the field. The lingering loss is the death of Pro Bowl safety Sean Taylor, who was shot and killed in late November. The team also lost three games in a row to fall to 5-7, but has responded with three consecutive wins – including victories at the Giants and Vikings the past two weeks.
* What they don't do so well: Get off the field on fourth downs and in the fourth quarter. The Redskins have allowed opponents to convert a conference-high 10 fourth downs (in 16 opportunities). They've also yielded 113 points in the fourth quarter – five more than opponents have scored on them in the first and second quarters combined.
* Player to watch: Chris Cooley. The tight end/H-back led the team in receptions last season and is doing it again with 61 catches and eight touchdowns.

Minnesota Vikings
* Record: 8-7
* Opponent: at Denver (6-9)
* What needs to happen: The Vikings must win, and have the Redskins lose to the Cowboys.
* What they do best: Run the ball, and stop the run. The Vikings are the best in the league at both – averaging 164.1 rushing yards and allowing an average of 70.5 yards. Adrian Peterson? Chester Taylor? It doesn't seem to matter who's carrying the ball. Peterson is averaging 5.7 yards per carry and has scored 12 rushing touchdowns. Taylor is averaging 5.2 yards and has scored seven times.
* What they don't do so well: Pass the ball, and defend the pass. The Vikings are averaging 172.3 yards passing, which ranks 28th in the league; and allowing a league-high 266.1 passing yards. Tarvaris Jackson has thrown more interceptions (12) than touchdowns (seven).
* Player to watch: Steve Hutchinson. Remember him? Watch any run by either of the Vikings' backs and the chances are pretty good that the former Seahawks left guard will be plowing the path.

New Orleans Saints
* Record: 7-8
* Opponent: at Chicago (6-9)
* What needs to happen: The Saints must win, and have the Redskins and Vikings lose.
* What they do best: Pass the ball. Drew Brees has thrown every pass for the Saints this season, putting the ball up a league-high 595 times. His favorite target by far has been Marques Colston, who has 90 receptions for 1,108 yards and nine TDs.
* What they don't do so well: Play defense. The Saints rank 29th overall, and 30th against the pass. They have 30 sacks, fewest among the NFC teams that are in the playoffs or remain in the hunt.
* Player to watch: Brees. After the Saints' 0-4 start, they upset the Seahawks to start a 4-0 run. Since then, they're 3-4. Whatever happens to them Sunday, and beyond, will be linked directly to Brees' right arm.
– Clare Farnsworth