NFL Week 11 Preview: Green Bay Packers vs. Washington Redskins

Jan 10, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins wide receiver Pierre Garcon (88) catches the ball in front of Green Bay Packers cornerback Damarious Randall (23) during the second half in a NFC Wild Card playoff football game at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

The way that this edition of Sunday Night Football is set up, a loss for one team will send things into a tailspin and probably spark even more dialogue involving the ‘hot seat’ and their head coach.

While a victory for the other organization will have their playoff chances progress and improve their current playoff seeding.

To tell you that the Green Bay Packers (4-5) is the team that is on the brink of slamming the ‘panic button’, it would sound surprising. This is a team that has a Super Bowl winning, elite quarterback, a solid head coach in Mike McCarthy, and a number of playmakers on both sides of the ball. However, a current three-game losing streak has the Packers laying on the canvas and staring at a non-playoff season.

The Washington Redskins (5-3-1) are fresh off a statement victory over the Minnesota Vikings at home in Week 10. Currently possessing the sixth seed in the playoffs, the Redskins have truly improved over the weeks and their 0-2 start to the season is a distant memory. A win here for head coach Jay Gruden and his ball club can give the team even more momentum as they head into a final six-game stretch in which they have four road games. Here is the analysis of the Sunday night matchup.

Dec 27, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Green Bay Packers safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (21) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Packers 38-8. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Green Bay Packers Summary

The job security for McCarthy has been questioned in recent weeks and to be quite frank, the likelihood of McCarthy being fired is minimal even with this ugly season. Injuries have impacted the team greatly on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has made the best out of tough circumstances (injuries at RB & WR) as he has thrown for 2,410 yards and 22 touchdowns on the season. To give you a perspective of how the Packers have been without much of a run game this season, Rodgers had five games this season of 40 or more pass attempts compared to just four games in the entire 2015 regular season. Starting running back Eddie Lacy is out for the season due to a surgically repaired ankle. The team were without backup James Starks for about a month but having him in the lineup will hopefully spark the 19th ranked run game.

The offensive line has been one of the better lines in all of football. According to Pro Football Focus, the line has allowed only 72 pressures all season. Having a pair of quality tackles in David Bakhtiari and Bryan Bulaga is the foundation of the very good group of blockers.

Collectively, Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, and Davante Adams have been ok for the most part but more was expected from the unit. Nelson leads the team in receiving touchdowns with eight while Adams is tied with Nelson for the team lead in receptions with 50.

The defense has dealt with injuries as well but the unit has also made the best of given circumstances. While they are tenth in the league in total defense, allowing 339.1 yards per game, they are 24th in scoring defense, allowing 26 points per game. Outside linebacker Nick Perry leads the team in sacks with six and has seemed to turn that corner in his progression after many began to write him off as a bust. Free safety HaHa Clinton-Dix has arguably been the best player on the defense and has 32 tackles and two interceptions on the season. Ironically, the three-game losing streak coincides with linebacker Clay Matthews being out the past three games and is expected to return against Washington.

Oct 16, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins tight end Vernon Davis (85) is congratulated by wide receiver Jamison Crowder (80) after scoring a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first half at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Washington Redskins Summary

Quarterback Kirk Cousins had himself a very interesting offseason with the signing of his franchise tender. While he may not have looked as a $19 million dollar quarterback, Cousins has strung together a sneaky good season so far with 2,716 yards (4th in the NFL) and 14 touchdowns with seven interceptions. One thing is for sure, Cousins has had plenty of help around him with six players totaling at least 26 catches on the season. Receiver Jamison Crowder and tight end Jordan Reed are tied for the team lead in receptions with 44 and Crowder leads the team with five touchdown receptions. The running game provides the balance that the offense has desired and while the combination of Matt Jones (460 yards, three TDs), Robert Kelley (287 yards, TD), and Chris Thompson (232 yards, TD) isn’t spectacular by any means but it is effective.

Aug 26, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins defensive back Josh Norman (24) gestures on the field against the Buffalo Bills at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

The defense has been the definition of “bend but don’t break”. One thing they do exceptionally well is getting after the quarterback. The defense is tied for sixth in the league in sacks with 25 and have a pair of outside linebackers in Ryan Kerrigan and Trent Murphy who are tied for the team lead in sacks with seven apiece.

The headlines for the Redskins this offseason was dominated by the free agency signing of cornerback Josh Norman. The expensive corner has had some solid outings this season but his game in London against Cincinnati receiver AJ Green was one to forget (three pass interference penalties, nine catches for 121 yards for Green). His ability will be important against the likes of Nelson and Adams for Green Bay.

Nov 29, 2015; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins outside linebacker Ryan Kerrigan (91) and outside linebacker Trent Murphy (93) celebrate after a sack against the New York Giants during the first half at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Prediction

If there is one quarterback in the the NFL that can pull his team out of a midseason funk, it’s Rodgers.

While that is said, Rodgers and the Packers will have to play outstanding football to defeated a tough Redskins team that has more grit than their record will show. Washington is clearly a better home team having won nine of their last 13 regular season home games and after a week of beating the Vikings, the momentum is absolutely in their favor.

The return of Matthews for the Packers is huge, especially when the left tackle spot is currently manned by Ty Nsekhe, who is filling in for original starter Trent Williams being suspended four games for violation of the substance abuse policy. Packers head coach Dom Capers has a rotation of pass rushers in Matthews, Perry, and Julius Peppers that will definitely test Nsekhe.

A safety valve for Cousins has been the reliability on Reed at the tight end spot and the offense has involved Vernon Davis as well as another threat at the position. Davis is having an ok season with 26 catches and two touchdowns this season. This facet is worth monitoring with the Packers allowing 647 yards and four touchdowns this season to tight ends.

Ultimately, this will come down to which front-seven can make plays. While the Redskins have trouble stopping the run, as mentioned earlier, they can get after the QB and are just slightly more trustworthy than the Packers front seven who have battled injuries and have not been back to full strength just as yet. You also have to wonder about the mental psyche of this team. In the past three weeks, Packers had a lifeless second half in a loss to Atlanta, dug a hole early against Indianapolis and could not recover, and just got whipped by a balanced offense in Tennessee. The Redskins get this Packers team at a perfect time and takes advantage.

Score – Washington 30 Green Bay 26