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Redskins Challenge: Pass rushers, it’s time to “Put up your Dukes”

By Lawrence Jason Dukes

LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 20: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers looks to pass while teammate tackle David Bakhtiari #69 blocks against outside linebacker Preston Smith #94 of the Washington Redskins in the first quarter at FedExField on November 20, 2016 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Matt Hazlett/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 20: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers looks to pass while teammate tackle David Bakhtiari #69 blocks against outside linebacker Preston Smith #94 of the Washington Redskins in the first quarter at FedExField on November 20, 2016 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Matt Hazlett/Getty Images) /
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If the Redskins are to have any realistic chance to defeat Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers, they’ll need a big game from the defensive line and outside pass rushers.

The NFL is truly a week-to-week league. It’s one of the most boring cliches in the game but it’s true. In week one, the Washington Redskins dominated the Arizona Cardinals. One week later, Washington was soundly defeated by an Indianapolis Colts team at home that they should have beat. This week, they can exorcise some demons from last week with an upset over the Green Bay Packers.

At 1-0-1, Green Bay could either be 2-0 or 0-2, depending on who you ask. If Washington is to hand the Pack their first loss, they’ll obviously need to score more than nine points to so. The pass rush for the Redskins also needs to make life difficult for a hobbled Aaron Rodgers. There hasn’t been much productivity from outside linebackers Preston Smith and Ryan Kerrigan to start the season. After combining for 21 sacks in 2017, the duo has failed to record a sack in the first two weeks of 2018.

Against a quarterback like Aaron Rodgers, there isn’t much scheming you can do defensively. Players have to win up front against a suspect Packers offensive line. Despite the concern over his injury, Rodgers is more than capable of picking apart the young Redskins secondary from the pocket. He has the weapons to do so in receivers Randall Cobb and Davante Adams. The Redskins have been notoriously bad covering tight ends, which should lead to a big game from Jimmy Graham.

The Redskins were extremely high on their front seven before the season started, and for good reason. They retained all of their linebackers within the system from a year ago, but the moves made along the defensive line were the most influential. These are the games the Redskins hope to see defensive line coach Jim Tomsula’s tutelage pay off. Matt Ioannidis, Jonathan Allen, and Daron Payne need to take major strides in this game.

dark. Next. 3 keys to victory for Washington vs. Green Bay

If the Redskins pass rush is able to consistently push the pocket and pressure Rodgers, they’ll have a good chance to pull off the upset. Games are still won and lost in the trenches. For the Redskins, they’ll only win this game if their pass rushers win up front. It’s easier said than done, but it could make all of the difference between entering the bye week at 1-2 or 2-1.

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