NFL Sunday takes us to FedExField, where the Washington Redskins meet the Green Bay Packers. Join us for live score updates and commentary from 12:30pm AEDT.
Both teams come into this game desperate for a win. After being one of the early championship favourites, the Packers have endured a very difficult season and have now lost three straight.
They’ve had a lot to deal with this season: Injuries to key personnel, questions over the quality of superstar QB Aaron Rodgers leadership and general play, and criticism of their Head Coach Mike McCarthy that could see him lose his job if the current results do no change.
The Redskins, despite sitting third in their division that features the league-leading Cowboys, are 5-3-1, and right in the hunt for a Wildcard spot come playoff time.
This is a matchup that, on paper at least, makes for a high scoring game. Both teams have had their struggles on defence, with Green Bay’s excellent run defence offset by a secondary that has imploded in recent weeks, and Washington ranked 21st in Defensive DVOA, arguably the best measure of a teams proficiency on that side of the ball.
Both teams are also built around throwing the ball, featuring two of the most talented receiving groups in the league. Jordy Nelson, DaVante Adams and Randall Cobb are possibly the best set of three receivers any team in the league can boast of, and Washington featuring very balanced set of receivers that off you a bit of everything, led by tight end Jordan Reed.
Running the ball is going to be hard work for both teams in this one. With Eddy Lacy on IR, the Packers rushing attack is led my journeyman James Starks, who doesn’t scare anyone. Washington have had their troubles stopping the run this year, but this is not a team that will scare them.
On defence though, Green Bay might be the best team in the league against the run, so I expect both teams to put the ball in their quarterbacks hands early and often. This could be a shootout.
Because of this, I think Washington’s secondary lines up against Green Bay a little better. Look for Josh Norman to tail Nelson all day long and force another Packer to make some plays. Washington though just have too many threats across the field for the Packers banged-up defence to cover consistently. I’m looking for a tight Washington win at home.
Tip: Washington by 2.
Join us for live score updates and commentary from 12:30pm AEDT.
Jay Dunbar
Roar Guru
FULL TIME FINAL SCORE WASHINGTON REDSKINS 42 def GREEN BAY PACKERS 24 The Redskins end up winning this comfortably. In a game that both QB's were terrific, it was the defence (or lack thereof) that decided it. The Redskins were able to make a couple of stops at crucial times, and the Packers did the exact opposite, giving up huge completions and TD's when they needed a stop. Washington will go forward confident of making a playoff run for the second consecutive season, while Green Bay look done. Rodgers still has plenty of juice, but he can't carry this secondary. I'm not sure God himself could actually. That concludes my coverage of Sunday Night Football on Monday. Thanks for joining me, and look out for my 5 Talking Points column later in the week.
Jay Dunbar
Roar Guru
We're in garbage time now, which probably applies to Hundley's pass. It's intercepted on Washington's own 40 yard line. The Redskins will kneel this out.
Jay Dunbar
Roar Guru
TOUCHDOWN WASHINGTON!!! Fat Rob backs up his big run with a 6 yard TD straight through the Packers D. That's his 3rd rushing TD of the game, and effectively ends this contest. Congrats to everyone who played him in fantasy football this week! Washington FINALLY make a PAT. WAS 42-24 GB 4TH QTR 2:26
Jay Dunbar
Roar Guru
If it wasn't over before it should be now. The usually stout Packers run defence lets Fat Rob (who is a stick figure compared to Eddy Lacy) get away for a massive run. Washington in possession, 1st and goal on the 6.
Jay Dunbar
Roar Guru
TURNOVER Jared Cook makes the catch but is STRIPPED by Josh Norman, and Washington recover the ball. With under 3 minutes to go, that should be it, but Rodgers has produced miracles before. WASH 35-24 GB 4TH QTR 3:00
Jay Dunbar
Roar Guru
Adams runs a great route, and is found by Rodgers for a big gain. he goes out of bounds to stop the clock but was so very close to taking it all the way to the house. They're into Washington territory now.
Jay Dunbar
Roar Guru
Green Bay will start their drive on their 17 yard line. Captain Obvious has let me know they need to score on this drive.
Jay Dunbar
Roar Guru
TOUCHDOWN REDSKINS!! After Crowders big gain on the last catch, Washington run the ball on the 1 yard line, and get it across through Rob Kelley, his second TD of the night. Redskins take the PAT and miss- that is the 12th PAT missed just today! Maybe they should keep going for 2 after all. WASH 35-24 GB 4TH QTR 3:54
Jay Dunbar
Roar Guru
My goodness! After a short run from Fat Rob, and an incompletion to Garcon, Crowder finds himself lined up opposite a linebacker and AGAIN outruns him for a big gain. He is brought down right on the goal line. I almost feel sorry for the Packers secondary right now.
Jay Dunbar
Roar Guru
Washington elect to go for it on 4th-and-inches, and somehow get through it on a QB sneak. Pretty gutsy play leading by 5 on the GB 40. The drive will continue- and so will the clock. WASH 29-24 GB 4TH QTR 5:35
Jay Dunbar
Roar Guru
TOUCHDOWN PACKERS! After a really nice drive, Famous Rodgers finds Cook on a slant route in the end zone for a TD! Packers take, and make, the PAT. Could be in for a nail biter. WASH 29-24 GB 4TH QTR 10:20
Jay Dunbar
Roar Guru
Green Bay have responded very well to the Redskins last score. Cobb got a big completion, 8 yard run from Rodgers (the famous one), and 10 yards on the ground from Starks; a 10 yard completion to Jared Cook. It's all quite easy for GB. They have a new set of downs on the 8 yard line. 4TH QTR 10:40
Jay Dunbar
Roar Guru
TOUCHDOWN REDSKINS!! Green Bay's secondary is just a mess now. Garcon beats whichever crappy corner was lined up on him just by out-running him on a 'go' route- straight up the field. He catches, shrugs the pathetic tackle attempt and scores a 79 yard TD! Back to 2 scores. WASH 29-17 GB 4TH QTR 14:00
Jay Dunbar
Roar Guru
TOUCHDOWN PACKERS!!! The Packers run a play-action move, and Washington has a collective brain fart on defence where everyone simply ignores James Starks! Rodgers throws the worst spiral he's thrown all year, Starks catches it and basically strolls in for a 22 yard TD. The Packers DO take the PAT and are successful. Just 5 points the difference now. WAS 22-17 GB 4TH QTR 14:40
Jay Dunbar
Roar Guru
Jared Cook has almost been a revelation here. After a 25 yard catch there, he now has 3 receptions for 85 yards- and should have had a TD if only he was looking at the ball!
Jay Dunbar
Roar Guru
Green Bay in real trouble here, but hey could be in a lot more if Washington had kicked the extra points. Two TD's will give the Packers the lead, and they will have the wind for the final quarter.
Jay Dunbar
Roar Guru
TOUCHDOWN WASHINGTON!!! After too good downs of defence leave the Skins at 3rd-&-11, Jamison Crowder uses his speed to completely eviscerate his opponent. he gets open and is found by Cousins for a 44 yard TD! The Skins go for 2, and fail again. WASHINGTON 22-10 GREEN BAY 3RD QTR 2:00
Jay Dunbar
Roar Guru
Cousins is not the most mobile QB, but he was given great protection there on 3rd down, and is able to complete a pass to Chris Thompson for the first down. Washington with the ball on midfield, new set of downs. WASH 16-10 GB 3RD QTR 2:00
Jay Dunbar
Roar Guru
MISSED FIELD GOAL PACKERS Rodgers can't complete a pass to Geronimo Allison (another great name!) and the Packers settle for a shot at field goal on 4th-and 13. The wind gets it though and it's NO GOOD! Score remains unchanged WASHINGTON 16-10 GREEN BAY 3rd QTR 5:15
Jay Dunbar
Roar Guru
Huge play from Green Bay as Rodgers get the ball to Cook on a floating 30 yard pass. Cook was watching this time and catches the ball and keeps going for a 50 yard gain. They back that up with a 20 yard completion to Cobb- 5 more yards are added for a delay of game penalty of Washington. Packers in the red zone. 3rd QTR 6:28