Riggo's Rag
FanSided

Redskins Reality Check: Realistic predictions for the team in Week 3 vs. Packers

By Tim Payne

GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 09: Tight end Jordan Reed #86 of the Washington Redskins reacts after scoring a four-yard touchdown during the second quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 09: Tight end Jordan Reed #86 of the Washington Redskins reacts after scoring a four-yard touchdown during the second quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 6
Next

LANDOVER, MD – NOVEMBER 20: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) of the Green Bay Packers carries the ball against defensive end Trent Murphy (93) of the Washington Redskins in the second quarter at FedExField on November 20, 2016 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Two Weeks, Two Different Redskins Teams. Which one will we see this week?

Two weeks into the 2018 NFL season, and we really don’t know much about who the Redskins are and what they really are going to be this season. After a Week 1 stomping of Arizona, many thought they were ready to finally get off to a fast start and make a major step forward. After they laid an absolute egg in their home opener against Indianapolis in Week 2, many believe we’re in for another abysmal season.

The reality probably lies somewhere in between, so let’s look at some Redskins reality checks for the coming Week 3 matchup against the Packers and Aaron Rodgers’ gimpy knee.

1. Reality Is, Aaron Rodgers is coming to town, but he’s not 100 percent.

More from Riggo's Rag

The Packers are coming into FedEx as 3-point favorites. Even with Aaron Rodgers on a gimpy knee, they hung 29 points on a Minnesota defense that is clearly one of the most talented and effective defenses in the NFL. Rodgers hit eight different receivers for 281 and a TD. They also ran the ball rather effectively for 98 yards.

It’s not typical for the Packers to settle for field goals on five different drives. It’s not typical for Rodgers to go for under 7.0 yards/attempt.  And yet, even with all of that, they still managed to pull out a tie against Minnesota, and many felt they should have gotten the win after Minnesota’s game-tying drive was extended by a questionable roughing penalty against Clay Matthews.

In some ways, the Packers’ performances over the first two weeks give you hope that they might be coming to the DMV a bit vulnerable.  In other ways, it’s scary that with those limitations, they have pulled out a 1-0-1 record.  Will the Redskins see the Packers from the first half against Chicago and fourth quarter against Minnesota or the Packers of the first half against Minnesota and second half against Chicago?

Prediction: I expect the Packers to be similarly effective this week as they were against Minnesota.  I expect Rodgers to pull off a few crazy plays but mostly not be himself, avoid major mistakes, but not move the ball as efficiently as we tend to expect.  I expect the Packers to win the special teams battle, but also give up some points to the Redskins’ defense.

Bonus Prediction:  I expect this to feel more like a home game for the Packers than for the Redskins.  The Redskins organization (not the current players or even coaches) haven’t earned loyalty from local fans, and I don’t expect many to turn out against Green Bay.  But I do expect plenty of Packers fans to attend.

Home/Commanders News