Perhaps the most impressive part about the Washington Redskins making the playoffs with a 9-7 record a year after finishing 4-12 is the manner in which they did it. Kirk Cousins emerged as a franchise record-setting quarterback, Jordan Reed blossomed into one of the league’s best pass-catching tight ends and the Redskins have adjusted on the fly to survive a rash of injuries.
A lot of credit has been directed general manager Scot McCloughan’s way — and rightfully so — for finding guys who could sign and contribute immediately, such as cornerback Will Blackmon, inside linebacker Mason Foster, running back Pierre Thomas and tight end Alex Smith.