Following a tough loss to the Indianapolis Colts last week, the Washington Redskins need a strong bounce-back performance in Week 3 against the Green Bay Packers. The Packers are highly favored to win the game by national analysts. Although it won’t be an easy task, the Redskins can make a statement by walking away with the win on Sunday.
Here are four things you should know about the Packers:
1. QB Aaron Rodgers may not be 100%
Rodgers has missed practice most of this week after suffering a left knee injury in Week 1. Despite the injury, he didn’t miss a beat last week against Minnesota. It is highly likely Rodgers will play on Sunday, but he still won’t be 100 percent. The Redskins defensive front needs to take advantage of this by applying pressure to Rodgers to slow him down and make him uncomfortable in the pocket. Especially, since he is still nursing an injury.
2. Cornerback Jaire Alexander has been a top cover
The Packers drafted cornerback Jaire Alexander in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Considered one of the best corners in his draft class, Alexander has delivered so far. In the first two games of the season, he is considered the NFL’s top-rated rookie cornerback with a 73.7% rating according to Pro Football Focus. When discussing this weekend’s matchup with the Redskins, he had this to say: “I’m going to lock up the guy I’m guarding.”
Redskins vs. Packers: the statistical comparison
With that being said, the Redskins wideouts have been inconsistent in the first two weeks of the season. They will have to find ways to make tough catches and more importantly protect the ball with Alexander in the backfield.
3. Converting on third down and in the red zone is a problem for Packers
The Packers have only converted nine third downs out of 26 attempts to start the season. Additionally, they are currently ranked 31st in the league when it comes to converting in the red zone. They are currently 1st in the NFC North but these stats are key for the Redskins. If the Redskins defense can capitalize on the struggles the Packers are facing on third down and red zone attempts, they can keep them from scoring points. However, the Redskins offense will have to deliver on their end.
4. Packers and Redskins have a history
Both teams have met 36 times since 1932 with the Packers winning 20 games and the Redskins winning 15 games. The Redskins won the most recent matchup 42-24 in November 2016. Below is a fun fact about the series history posted on the Packers official Twitter account.
Oct. 17, 1983: The #Packers defeated the Redskins, 48-47, at Lambeau Field in the highest-scoring Monday night game EVER!#FlashbackFriday #GBvsWAS https://t.co/ywRL9HwUnI
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) September 21, 2018