Packers vs. Redskins: Three keys and a prediction

3. Instigating Inside

The Redskins’ offensive tackles are Morgan Moses and Trent Williams. That’s a pretty good pair of pass blockers. Considering the performance thus far of Nick Perry, Clay Matthews, and company, the Redskins probably don’t have to worry much about edge pressure from the outside linebackers.

This means that Mike Pettine will need to generate pressure from the inside. Mike Daniels, Kenny Clark and Muhammad Wilkerson have a great opportunity to do so, as the injury of preferred Redskins left guard Shawn Lauvao will likely lead to some interior offensive line rearrangement.

Pettine will also bring plenty of blitzes on third downs, and Jaire Alexander will look to build on his Week 2 success by registering some more pressures and sacks.

The Redskins defense, meanwhile, features 2017 and 2018 first-round picks Jonathan Allen and Da’Ron Payne. They will be a handful for Justin McCray, Corey Linsley, and Lucas Patrick, each of whom has played well but had some lapses this season.

With his knee injury, Rodgers is fairly helpless against interior pressure. If the two guards and center don’t at least hold their ground, the Packers’ offense could become entirely dependent on quick, short passes.

Prediction

Packers 24, Redskins 21

The Packers couldn’t display their full potential on opening weekend due to a Rodgers injury, and the Vikings are a very good team. In this game, though, the Packers might finally acquire and maintain a healthy lead.

In addition to the three keys above, it will be essential for the Packers to convert their scoring opportunities into touchdowns, after letting so many promising drives end in field goals last week. I think Jimmy Graham and Aaron Jones will be major factors in making that happen.

I’d be surprised if the Packers completely dismantled the Redskins on the road, but they should remain in decent control of this game. Ultimately, a score of 24-21 sounds right to me.