Wild Card weekend wraps up with a game that, back in August, would have been considered a joke match-up. But it isn’t. The Washington Redskins (9-7) benefited from terrible coaching in New York and Philly and Tony Romo’s peanut brittle collar bone and won the NFC East. Now they host the Green Bay Packers (10-6) in the opening round of the playoffs.
Scroll on down for the live blog. Keep reading for preview information.
First up here’s my pick from The FAQ.
Green Bay at Washington (-1)
The Redskins (9-7) have done the impossible. They’ve made the playoffs with Jay Gruden as their head coach. You’ll hear a lot of praise for Gruden and what he was able to do with this ragtag group of misfit toys and castoffs, but what you won’t hear is the truth. Washington is in the playoffs because Tony Romo got hurt, Chip Kelly shipped off half his team and the Giants blew nine fourth-quarter leads. If anyone thinks this is the beginning of some kind of Redskins resurgence, they’re nuts.
The Packers (10-6) limp into the playoffs looking like a disaster. They lost their last two games including a 38-8 defeat at the hands of the Cardinals that should shame future generations of offspring. Along the way they’ve dropped all their big games save one, a 30-13 win over the Vikings back on Nov. 22. All the rest, games against the Broncos, the Panthers, the Cardinals and the Vikings again, they lost and some of those losses weren’t even close.
There are even rumblings around that Mike McCarthy’s job might be in jeopardy if they lose this game and everyone is picking them to lose. Everyone but me. I’ve told you all week that this is the game that will stun the pundits, that they overvalue the Redskins and they undervalue the Packers. My guess is this one won’t be close. Packers 44, Redskins 19
And here are my entries for both teams in the final regular season Power Rankings.
10. Green Bay Packers – (10-6) The Packers have limped into the playoffs with a tough final half of the season. Why don’t I believe this is the end of their story? Last week: No. 6
11. Washington Redskins – (9-7) You’ll read so many columns and predictions discussing how the Redskins will have multiple, if not all, the advantages over the Packers in their wild card game. Don’t you believe it. Last week: No. 13
And finally here’s our own GMS Preview.
A trip to the NFC Divisional Round is at stake when the Green Bay Packers travel to FedEx Field to meet the Washington Redskins. The game starts at 4:40 p.m. ET on Sunday, Jan 10 and can be seen on FOX.
Washington notched a win over the Cowboys 34-23 last week. Kirk Cousins had an outstanding performance passing the ball in the win, completing 12 of 15 passes for 176 yards and three TDs. Jamison Crowder had a big game as well, totaling 109 yards and a TD on five receptions. Green Bay didn’t have the same success as Washington, getting beat by the Vikings 20-13. Richard Rodgers had a good game for the Packers, totaling seven catches for 59 yards and one TD. James Jones also had a big day, contributing 102 yards on four receptions.
Washington is a slight one-point favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 46 points.
The Redskins enter the game with a current record of 9-7 Straight Up (SU) and Against The Spread (ATS) this season. In the past five games, Washington is 4-1 for both SU and ATS. Washington has seen an increase in scoring in recent weeks when compared to its 24.2 points per game average. Over the past five games they’ve averaged 29 points per game. Over those five matchups, they have succeeded at passing, averaging 283.6 yards. Turning to the Redskins defense, a few key spots could be deciding factors this week. Don’t expect Green Bay to have much success throwing the ball against the Redskins. The Packers average 184.9 passing yards per road game, 31st in the NFL. A vital part of the game will be if the Redskins can attack Green Bay’s offensive line, which currently is 28th in the league in sacks allowed with 2.9 per game. Green Bay’s defense will want to avoid scoring drives by the Redskins heading into halftime. The Packers allow an average of 9.6 points per road game in the second quarter, making them one of the worst in the league. Based on an average time of possession of 32:44 per game, which ranks second in the league, look for Washington to control the clock.
Moving to the road team, the Packers have 10-6 SU and 9-7 ATS records this season. The Packers went 3-2 for both SU and ATS over the last five games. If Washington’s earlier games are any indication, the Packers should lean on a solid rushing attack. The Redskins allow 122.6 rushing yards per game, 26th in the NFL. Lately, the Packers have an improved pass defense. They’re allowing only 181.4 passing YPG over their last five matchups. The Packers don’t waste time early in the game, averaging 6.6 points in the first quarter this year.
Predictions: SU Winner – Was, ATS Winner – Was, O/U – Under
The game is on Fox at 4:40 p.m. Watch it with me.
