The final playoff game for the wildcard weekend sees the in-form Washington Redskins hosting the struggling Green Bay Packers. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 8:40am (AEDT).
The Skins have won their last four games of the regular season, scoring 34 points or more in their last three on the back of quarterback Kirk Cousins.
Cousins has lifted to another level in the last ten games, having thrown for 23 touchdowns and just three interceptions during that period.
The return from injury of speedy wide receiver DeSean Jackson has added another dimension to their attack. Tight end Jordan Reed has been another standout, with 87 catches this season and 11 touchdowns, ably supported by Pierre Garcon and rookie slot receiver Jamison Crowder. Reed’s height and speed has troubled linebackers and safeties across the league, and he runs excellent routes.
The Packers will hope cornerback Sam Shields is fit enough to return, as he’s their speediest defensive back and would help stem Jackson’s deep threat.
The Packers’ problem this season has been their offensive line, with injuries and poor form leading to them conceding 51 sacks, the fifth highest in the league.
Star quarterback Aaron Rodgers hasn’t had the time to complete his reads and been forced out of the pocket often. His receivers have also been poor, dropping too many catches and appearing unable to break free in the middle of the field.
Missing their number one receiver, Jordy Nelson, has been a bigger blow than expected, with usual number two receiver Randall Cobb unable to step up.
Still, Rodgers shouldn’t be discounted; he has thrown for 31 touchdowns and will be keen to improve his playoff win-loss record of 2-4 since the 2010 Superbowl.
Prediction
Not often you would say this about an Aaron Rodgers-led team, but the key in this game could be the Packers’ running game, led by Eddie Lacy and James Starks. The Skins defence has conceded just under five yards per rushing attempt, which ranks 30th in the league.
If the Packers can establish the run early it will take some pressure off Rodgers and give him time to exploit a Skins secondary that has been hit with injuries.
The Skins have played only three teams with winning records this season and lost all three by margins of 14, 17 and 28 points.
Packers by 4 points.
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
FINAL SCORE GREEN BAY PACKERS 35 WASHINGTON REDSKINS 18 After a slow start the Green Bay Packers dominated the last three quarters of this game to defeat the Washington Redskins comfortable by 17 points. The Redskins started well behind in for QB Kirk Cousins and had a 11-0 lead in the first quarter. But the Packers took over from the second quarter scoring on their next five consecutive possessions which gave them a 32-18 lead by the fourth quarter. The key was the Packers going to a no huddle hurry up offence. QB Aaron Rodgers seemed revitalised in the no huddle after a horrific start that saw him complete just one of his first eight passes. Rodgers then went 20 for 28 for over 200 yds after going to the no huddle as the momentum shifted completely. The Packers defence also did a great job pressuring Cousins sacking him six times and restricting the Skins to just one score in the last three quarters. The Packers offensive line completely dominated the second half and their running game took off as a result, rushing for over 100 yards in the second half after just 17 yards in the first. Redskins will be disappointed but have shown improvement over the year and will look to next year with optimism. The Packers now move on to Arizona next week to tackle the Cardinals in the divisional round and will be full of confidence after one of their best performances since early in the season. Has Aaron Rodgers and the Pack got their mojo back? We’ll find out next week when they face a much tougher opponent in the Carson Palmer led Cardinals. Thanks for joining us today and be sure to follow the divisional round next week here on the ROAR!!
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Skins turn it over on downs and this game is over as the Packers will run down the clock... FINAL SCORES - Packers win 35-18
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Cousins finds Reed for a a gain of 16 yds to the Packers 20 yd line
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Lacy fumbles and the Skins recover as we go through the motions with one minute remaining
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
challenge dismissed....and the Packers sack Cousins and will take over on downs with 2:46 remaining and a 35-18 lead.
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Short pass to Thompson for a 6 yd gain to the Packers 5 yd line.....Packers are going to challenge that call.....looks like a catch though
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Cousins deep pass to Garcon down the right for 20 yards....and a roughing the passer penalty against the Packers sees a first down on the Packers 11 yd line. Chance for a score here for the Skins.
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Huge play by Thompson for 38 yards on a screen pass by Cousins to the Packers 48 yd line.
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Short gain by Starks as Skins take their last time out. Packers will attempt a 29 yd FG......and it's GOOD! Packers 35 Redskins 18 Q3 4:39 rem
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Couple of runs for not much for the Packers...Skins take their second time out
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Packers take over in great field position and with 5 mins remaining look like they've put this away.
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
3rd & 10 and Skins hold off the blitz but Cousins can't complete the pass....4th down deep on own 18.......Cousins is SACKED!!! Packers take over !!
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Skins go no huddle....couple of short passes and they get 1st down on own 22
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Remember the Skins have not beaten a team with a winning record this season...the closest they've got was 14 points!!
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Couple of short runs by Lacy sees Packers with 3rd & 6......Rodgers quick pass to Abbrederis over middle is short! Skins finally stop the Packers offence. PAckers punt and fair catch called on the Skins 8 yd line. 6 mins remaining Skins need to score here
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Pass interference call against Dunbar allows the Packers to re-boot
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Skins decide to punt and it's downed around the 7 yd line. Packers with five consecutive scoring drives take over with 9 mins remaining. Packers leading 32-18
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Skins decide to punt and it's downed around the 7 yd line. Packers with five consecutive scoring drives take over with 9 mins remaining
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
10 mins rem....Cousins is sacked by Pro Bowler Clay Matthews for a loss of 9 yds.....next play Cousins looks for JAckson down the right ...Cousins throws into double coverage and is very looking both defenders spoil each other....should have an interception.....on 3rd & 19 Cousins throws poorly to Reed....4th down
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
On 1st down from Skins own 41, Cousins finds Reed up the middle for a gain of 22 yds to the Packers 37