Packers Keys to the Game (vs. Washington)

By: 
Bill Huber
Correspondent

The Green Bay Packers (5-1) host the Washington Football Team (2-4) at noon Oct. 24 at Lambeau Field. FOX will televise the game.

History

The Packers lead 19-15-1. Green Bay broke a two-game losing streak in the series with a 20-15 win on Dec. 8, 2019. Aaron Jones had a 4-yard touchdown run and Robert Tonyan added a 12-yard touchdown catch as Green Bay bolted to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter.

Coaches

Green Bay – Matt LaFleur, 31-7, third season. Washington — Ron Rivera, 85-76-1, 11th season; 9-13 in second season with Washington.

When the Packers have the ball

Before the season, this liked it would be a huge challenge for the Aaron Rodgers-led Packers offense. Washington won the NFC East last season despite its 7-9 record. In winning five of its final seven regular-season games, it allowed an average of just 16.1 points per game. That stellar defense has vanished, though.

Through week six, Washington has allowed a league-worst 31 points per game. It’s 31st in total defense (423 yards), 32nd in passing defense (309.5 yards per game) and 32nd on third down (57.8%). It does play good run defense (ninth with 4.03 yards allowed per carry) and is strong in goal-to-go situations (fifth with a 57.1% touchdown rate).

Jack Del Rio’s 4-2-5 defense is strong up front. Montez Sweat (first round, 2019) and Chase Young (first round, 2020) are the ends and Daron Payne (first round, 2018) and Jonathan Allen (first round, 2017) are the tackles. They will present the latest in a series of big challenges for Green Bay’s front.

Young, the No. 2 overall pick last year, is the reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year following a season of 7½ sacks and four forced fumbles. He’s got only two sacks and a forced fumble this year. He’ll line up almost exclusively against right tackle Billy Turner, who is coming off a strong performance vs. Khalil Mack.

Allen is the real stud of the group, though. He’s got three sacks and ranks third in the league with 14 quarterback hits. He lines up mostly at right tackle, which means an individual matchup against left guard Jon Runyan.

Cole Holcomb is the every-down linebacker and rookie first-round pick Jamin Davis is his frequent sidekick.

Holcomb leads the team with 58 tackles and has one of the four interceptions. Davis, an athletic and rangy prospect, had a career-high 11 tackles in last week’s loss to Kansas City.

“I think he is showing signs of what we believe he can be,” Rivera said on Monday. “And that’s a downhill guy that could run.”

If the Packers can protect Rodgers, big plays should await against a porous secondary that allowed six completions of 20-plus yards in Sunday’s 31-13 loss vs. Kansas City.

Kendall Fuller, Bobby McCain and William Jackson are the cornerbacks, with Fuller getting most of the work in the slot.

Landon Collins and Kamren Curl are the safeties. Cornerback Benjamin St-Juste, a 6-foot-3 rookie, gets a lot of playing time, as well. Fuller, McCain and Jackson have interceptions.

Fuller has allowed a league-high 32 completions and Jackson has been flagged a league-worst six times and given up three touchdowns.

Collins is the big name of the group as a three-time Pro Bowler. He is a physical presence but a major liability in coverage.

When Washington has the ball

Washington is 21st with 22.7 points per game. When it scores, it wins. It scored 30 and 34 in victories over the Giants and Falcons, respectively. In losses to the Chargers, Bills, Saints and Chiefs, they averaged only 18 points.

What does it do well? Protect the quarterback (league-best 2.9% sack rate). What doesn’t it do well? Throw the ball (21st in yards per play) or move the chains (27th with a 34.3% conversion rate on third down).

“We’ve got the talent,” running back Antonio Gibson said. “We’ve got the skill. We can do it. We just have to show it. Just got to be more consistent.”

With veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick on injured reserve (hip), Taylor Heinicke has been the starter. He is 23rd with an 86.9 passer rating and has nine touchdowns vs. six interceptions. Heinicke is a dink-and-dunker, with his average completion going just 5.36 yards downfield. According to Pro Football Focus, he’s thrown 38 passes behind the line of scrimmage and only 29 passes 20-plus yards downfield. However, he is a threat with his legs with 127 yards and a 5.1-yard average.

“There’s no panic. It’s a long season. There’s still a lot of football left,” Heinicke said after failing to lead Washington to a single red-zone drive on Sunday. “There’s a lot of guys pissed off, rightfully so. But again, hopefully, we can just use that fuel for this week and get ready for Green Bay. It’s going to be another tough game. But the guys aren’t getting down. We’re pissed off and we want to come back next week and get it going.”

The backfield is strong with Gibson and J.D. McKissic. Gibson has 357 rushing yards and a 79-yard touchdown among his dozen receptions. McKissic has 21 receptions and 315 yards from scrimmage.

Terry McLaurin, one of the game’s more underrated players, highlights the receiver corps. “Scary Terry” has 33 receptions for 428 yards and three touchdowns.

Rookie Dyami Brown has eight catches for 81 yards and veteran Adam Humphries has 15 receptions for 149 yards from the slot. With Logan Thomas on injured reserve, Ricky Seals-Jones leads the tight ends with 12 receptions for 137 yards and two scores. Thomas played quarterback in college; Seal-Jones played receiver.

Left tackle Charles Leno, left guard Ereck Flowers, center Chase Roullier, right guard Brandon Scherff and rookie right tackle Sam Cosmi form a solid offensive line.

A four-time Pro Bowler, Scherff has missed the last two games with a knee injury. If he’s out again, Wes Schweitzer will get another start. Even without Scherff, it’s a group without an obvious weak link.

Of the six sacks allowed, PFF charged only two to the offensive line. This will be a much bigger test than what Green Bay faced last week against Chicago’s overmatched quintet.

Special teams

Green Bay, which bounced back from a horrible performance at Cincinnati, will be tested by Washington’s high-quality unit.

Kicker Dustin Hopkins is 12-of-14 on field goals. In his seventh season, he’s got 84% career accuracy on field goals. His kickoffs typically wind up in the end zone.

Tress Way is in his eighth season as the punter. He’s got a huge leg, having led the NFL in average twice and boasting a gaudy 49.7-yard average this year. Of his 21 punts, 13 have been returned, so there will be opportunities for Amari Rodgers. Way’s net average of 42.6 ranks ninth.

DeAndre Carter returns kickoffs and punts, with averages of 25.8 yards and 9.5 yards, respectively. On kickoffs, he’s got a 101-yard touchdown on his resume. Green Bay’s kickoff coverage has not been a strength.