Rastak
10-09-2007, 08:43 PM
Why To Watch
Both the Redskins and Packers are one-loss teams playing very good football. That's why to watch! The Redskins are playing well in all phases of the game and seem to be improving each week. Young Redskins QB Jason Campbell has demonstrated that he can run the offense and make the right decisions to put Washington in a position to win games. The offensive play calling in Washington has been on point the last few weeks and offensive coordinator Al Saunders has opposing defenses playing on their heels. The Redskins defense is also playing at a high level and did so last weekend taking away the dangerous Detroit passing attack.
The Pack is back and the Green Bay offense is playing like it did a few years ago when QB Brett Favre won Super Bowl XXXI. It's not only Green Bay's offense that is playing well, the defense which has talented players all over the field. This is a matchup between two top teams, which are on track to play in the postseason. This game will be a test on how well each team can perform against a very good opponent.
When the Redskins have the ball
Rushing: Washington is very capable of running the ball using all three of its running backs. RB Clinton Portis is the main runner who provides a solid combination of breakaway speed and power. FB Mike Sellers is utilized in short-yardage situations both in blocking for Portis and in carrying the football. With the presence of offensive line coach Joe Bugle, the Redskins are committed to putting the ball on the ground and running all types of schemes like zone, gap, and man plays against the Green Bay defensive front seven.
The Packers front seven have been stingy against the run all season with the help of defensive tackles Johnny Jolly and Ryan Pickett. Pickett and Jolly penetrate with power and also adjust on the run well. It helps that they have a punishing group of linebackers behind them like ILB Nick Barnett and A.J. Hawk who are active from sideline to sideline.
Washington's run game has to be more patient in getting things going this week than in previous weeks. The initial gains may not be big for the Redskins right away, but they have the capability to gash the Packers if they are persistent.
Passing: Campbell is playing very well so far this season and he needs to stay consistent at a high level against the Packers' secondary. One of Campbell's favorite receivers, Antwaan Randle El, left the game last weekend with a leg injury and his status is not known yet for the Green Bay game. Randle El provides the Redskins' offense with exceptional quickness and burst, which translates to big plays. Randle El also stretches the field leaving TE Chris Cooley and Sellers to gain yards underneath the secondary. Campbell has really come on this season and gets more comfortable each week with Saunders' offense.
The Packers have their work cut out for them when they face Campbell and the Redskins' receiving corps. Green Bay corners Charles Woodson and Al Harris are having a good season and provide the Packers' defense with the ability to play man coverage. They are accompanied by safeties Atari Bigby and Nick Collins who have to do a better job of defending the deep part of the field against the tight end seam routes, which they didn't do well against the Bears last week.
When the Packers have the ball
Rushing: In order for the Packers to have success against the Washington run defense, RB DeShawn Wynn has to get more carries then he did against the Bears and Green Bay has to be committed to running the ball. Between Wynn and RB Vernand Morency, the Packers averaged more than 5 yards per carry against Chicago on only 22 carries. If the Packers give more carries to their backs, they can give Washington a dose of their own medicine and control the clock all day.
For the Redskins to stop the Green Bay run game, DT Cornelius Griffin and the defensive line have to get penetration against the Packers' offensive line and create different levels on blockers so that ILB London Fletcher and the rest of the Redskins' linebackers can attack the open gaps and make plays behind or at the line of scrimmage. Washington DE Andre Carter is playing well and should also be a major contributor against Green Bay's run game.
Passing: If Favre can keep the interceptions to a minimum, or better yet eliminate them, the Packers pass offense will gain yards and put points on the board. That isn't an easy task because they are matched up against a solid Washington secondary that kept Detroit's passing attack at bay all day last weekend. The Packers' offensive line will have their hands full with the Washington pass rush and pressures called by defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. The Packers may have to keep either TE Donald Lee or FB Korey Hall in as an extra blocker this Sunday to give Favre enough time to complete the deep throws.
The Redskins secondary with Shawn Springs, LaRon Landry, Sean Taylor, and Carlos Rogers along with Fred Smoot are dangerous and athletic. Each one of those guys, if given the opportunity, can take one back to the house. You can bet that Washington defensive coordinator Gregg Williams will have those guys ready to play against Favre and also bet that he shows them a stat about how many games the Packers win when Favre throws more than two interceptions.
Special Teams
Field position will be a huge key to winning this game and it will be up to the coverage units of both teams to help the defense have as much green behind them as possible. Green Bay's special teams have already made a drastic improvement from last year and rookie kicker Mason Crosby is getting adjusted well to the NFL kicking game. Green Bay punt returner Charles Woodson had a costly turnover against the Bears last weekend and he has to hold on to the ball against Washington in order for the Packers to keep the momentum. Opposing punt returner Randle El also had ball security issues of his own. These are two dynamic returners who can change the outcome of a game if they are healthy and can hold on to the ball.
Scouts Inc. watches games, breaks down film and studies football from all angles for ESPN.com.
Both the Redskins and Packers are one-loss teams playing very good football. That's why to watch! The Redskins are playing well in all phases of the game and seem to be improving each week. Young Redskins QB Jason Campbell has demonstrated that he can run the offense and make the right decisions to put Washington in a position to win games. The offensive play calling in Washington has been on point the last few weeks and offensive coordinator Al Saunders has opposing defenses playing on their heels. The Redskins defense is also playing at a high level and did so last weekend taking away the dangerous Detroit passing attack.
The Pack is back and the Green Bay offense is playing like it did a few years ago when QB Brett Favre won Super Bowl XXXI. It's not only Green Bay's offense that is playing well, the defense which has talented players all over the field. This is a matchup between two top teams, which are on track to play in the postseason. This game will be a test on how well each team can perform against a very good opponent.
When the Redskins have the ball
Rushing: Washington is very capable of running the ball using all three of its running backs. RB Clinton Portis is the main runner who provides a solid combination of breakaway speed and power. FB Mike Sellers is utilized in short-yardage situations both in blocking for Portis and in carrying the football. With the presence of offensive line coach Joe Bugle, the Redskins are committed to putting the ball on the ground and running all types of schemes like zone, gap, and man plays against the Green Bay defensive front seven.
The Packers front seven have been stingy against the run all season with the help of defensive tackles Johnny Jolly and Ryan Pickett. Pickett and Jolly penetrate with power and also adjust on the run well. It helps that they have a punishing group of linebackers behind them like ILB Nick Barnett and A.J. Hawk who are active from sideline to sideline.
Washington's run game has to be more patient in getting things going this week than in previous weeks. The initial gains may not be big for the Redskins right away, but they have the capability to gash the Packers if they are persistent.
Passing: Campbell is playing very well so far this season and he needs to stay consistent at a high level against the Packers' secondary. One of Campbell's favorite receivers, Antwaan Randle El, left the game last weekend with a leg injury and his status is not known yet for the Green Bay game. Randle El provides the Redskins' offense with exceptional quickness and burst, which translates to big plays. Randle El also stretches the field leaving TE Chris Cooley and Sellers to gain yards underneath the secondary. Campbell has really come on this season and gets more comfortable each week with Saunders' offense.
The Packers have their work cut out for them when they face Campbell and the Redskins' receiving corps. Green Bay corners Charles Woodson and Al Harris are having a good season and provide the Packers' defense with the ability to play man coverage. They are accompanied by safeties Atari Bigby and Nick Collins who have to do a better job of defending the deep part of the field against the tight end seam routes, which they didn't do well against the Bears last week.
When the Packers have the ball
Rushing: In order for the Packers to have success against the Washington run defense, RB DeShawn Wynn has to get more carries then he did against the Bears and Green Bay has to be committed to running the ball. Between Wynn and RB Vernand Morency, the Packers averaged more than 5 yards per carry against Chicago on only 22 carries. If the Packers give more carries to their backs, they can give Washington a dose of their own medicine and control the clock all day.
For the Redskins to stop the Green Bay run game, DT Cornelius Griffin and the defensive line have to get penetration against the Packers' offensive line and create different levels on blockers so that ILB London Fletcher and the rest of the Redskins' linebackers can attack the open gaps and make plays behind or at the line of scrimmage. Washington DE Andre Carter is playing well and should also be a major contributor against Green Bay's run game.
Passing: If Favre can keep the interceptions to a minimum, or better yet eliminate them, the Packers pass offense will gain yards and put points on the board. That isn't an easy task because they are matched up against a solid Washington secondary that kept Detroit's passing attack at bay all day last weekend. The Packers' offensive line will have their hands full with the Washington pass rush and pressures called by defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. The Packers may have to keep either TE Donald Lee or FB Korey Hall in as an extra blocker this Sunday to give Favre enough time to complete the deep throws.
The Redskins secondary with Shawn Springs, LaRon Landry, Sean Taylor, and Carlos Rogers along with Fred Smoot are dangerous and athletic. Each one of those guys, if given the opportunity, can take one back to the house. You can bet that Washington defensive coordinator Gregg Williams will have those guys ready to play against Favre and also bet that he shows them a stat about how many games the Packers win when Favre throws more than two interceptions.
Special Teams
Field position will be a huge key to winning this game and it will be up to the coverage units of both teams to help the defense have as much green behind them as possible. Green Bay's special teams have already made a drastic improvement from last year and rookie kicker Mason Crosby is getting adjusted well to the NFL kicking game. Green Bay punt returner Charles Woodson had a costly turnover against the Bears last weekend and he has to hold on to the ball against Washington in order for the Packers to keep the momentum. Opposing punt returner Randle El also had ball security issues of his own. These are two dynamic returners who can change the outcome of a game if they are healthy and can hold on to the ball.
Scouts Inc. watches games, breaks down film and studies football from all angles for ESPN.com.