Redskins trample Packers 31-17, relying on both offense and defense
By Ian Cummings
The Redskins rebounded well in Week 3, besting Aaron Rodgers and the Packers by a score of 31-17.
After starting out the season 1-1, the Washington Redskins entered Sunday’s contest versus Green Bay with something yet to prove.
Against the Arizona Cardinals, the Redskins showed off their physical defensive style and their efficient offensive potential. Against the Colts, that offensive efficiency devolved into ineptitude, and the defense couldn’t keep up without any rest.
Against the Packers, the Redskins set out to find a healthy medium, maintaining a balanced offense while handling star quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who was dealing with a lingering knee injury sustained in Week 1 against the Bears.
In the first half, the Redskins didn’t phase against one of the league’s best passers. The offense was electric, with Alex Smith pushing the ball downfield, and Adrian Peterson churning out yards on the ground, ending the game with 120 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries. The team ended the first half up 28-10, with a lot of momentum on their side.
All that momentum effectively perished in the second half.
The Redskins were barely able to sustain drives in the second half of the game. The offensive line, who had an effective first half, fell off a bit in the latter two quarters, and Alex Smith wasn’t able to get nearly as much done through the air.
Luckily for the Redskins, their defense remained resolute. Matt Ioannidis and Jonathan Allen banded together to give the Packers’ offensive line a lot of trouble, and the secondary had some solid plays, the most notable of which being a forced fumble by Fabian Moreau late in the fourth quarter that killed a Packers’ offensive drive. Jay Gruden also made a crucial challenge that killed a Packers’ drive on fourth down. The first half was the offense’s time to shine. In the second half, the defense was the saving grace.
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At some point, the Redskins’ habit of stalling in the second half needs to be addressed, but today, the defense came to play when the offense couldn’t maintain production. That’s what a team game is all about. Washington won their first home game of the season this week, by a score of 31-17, and they head into the bye week at 2-1.