With a number of area teams gearing up for a playoff run, it’s an exciting time for sports in the Washington area. Here’s what you should be watching this week. Don’t hesitate to leave your own suggestions in the comments, and, if you’re so inclined, shoot me an email with suggestions for next week. Tuesday Most of this week’s slate is packed with some great action. Tuesday is an exception. For those that aren’t reading…

If Washington fans have a shred of playoff hope left to hold onto, it’s only because after seeming to hit bottom last year, the Redskins went on an improbably winning streak and got just about everybody else who needed to lose to go ahead and do so. Having thus acquitted themselves last year, there was every hope that Washington would take the next step this season. But with only one win over a quality team…

Joe Gibbs and Charley Casserly, who successfully collaborated at Washington during Gibbs’ first coaching tenure, meet this weekend as rivals, with Casserly currently serving as the VP/General Manager of the Houston Texans. Both still have one thing in common, however: their respective teams are off to disappointing starts this season, and eye this weekend’s contest as a chance to put themselves back on the right track. This week, Redskins quarterback Mark Brunell found himself back…

If Washington seems a little more chatty today, it might be that the results of yesterday’s primaries are finally starting to sink in. In the day’s biggest race, Sen. Joseph Lieberman (D-Conn.), lost to novice Ned Lamont, while Rep. Cynthia McKinney again lost her seat in a runoff election in Georgia. We’re of varying opinions on the Lieberman loss, but we can say this much — please Cynthia, don’t go. Pull a Tom DeLay…