This is a game between two good defensive teams that like to operate in different ways on offense.  The Packers like to throw the ball and the Redskins like to grind it out on the ground.

Look for the Packers to come out throwing in this football game like they always do.  Brett Favre (1,527 yards passing, 9 TD passes) will likely spread the Redskins defense out and move the ball around to his fine corps of receivers.  The Packers offensive line must block well against DE Andre Carter and keep him out of the backfield so Favre has enough time to throw the ball.  The Redskins have only allowed 182.0 yards passing per game this season and they have only allowed 2 TD passes so this will be fun to watch.  Rookie RB DeShawn Wynn has run the ball really well this season and he seems to have locked up the starting job for the time being but he might have trouble getting too many yards against the Redskins stout run defense that is allowing only 86.0 yards rushing per game and 3.8 yards per carry.

The Redskins will likely try to play smash mouth football against the Packers.  Clinton Portis (299 yards rushing, 4.5 ypc, 3 TDs) seems to have earned back his starting job and he will take on the Packers linebacking corps.  It will be interesting to see how Nick Barnett and A.J. Hawk do against him.  The Packers do allow 226.4 yards passing per game so the Redskins might try some long stuff to Santana Moss and some short stuff to TE Chris Cooley.

PREDICTION:  This will be a low scoring, physical football game.  I like the Packers by a field goal but I wouldn’t be surprised if the Redskins sprung as upset here with the way they have been playing this year.

Starting center Scott Wells will miss at least this week’s game with the Redskins as he has a fractured eye socket.  Second year man Jason Spitz will replace Wells in the starting lineup.  Spitz got a lot of experience last season so he should be able to do a decent job until Wells is ready to return.

The Packers melted down in a game they should have won.  The Packers were winning 17-7 at halftime but they started to get away with what was working in the first half which was the running game.  Brett Favre completed 29 of 40 passes for 322 yards with 1 TD and 2 interceptions including a horrible one to Brian Urlacher that resulted in a TD a couple of plays later.  Rookie RB DeShawn Wynn was outstanding as he carried the ball 13 times for 78 yards (6.0 ypc) and a TD.  Vernand Morency also had a good game as he carried the ball 9 times for 43 yards (4.8 ypc) and he also caught 7 passes for 48 yards (6.9 avg).  Greg Jennings (4 rec, 83 yards, TD) and Donald Driver (4 rec, 51 yards) both had solid games.  But, rookie James Jones had a night to forget as he caught 5 passes for 61 yards but he lost two fumbles and they both hurt.  The Packers finished up with 121 yards rushing on 22 carries (5.5 ypc) and they also completed 29 of 40 passes for 318 yards.

The Packers defense played a pretty solid game for the most part.  Safety Atari Bibgy (9 tackles) and linebacker Nick Barnett (9 tackles, 1.5 sacks) led the way for the Packers defense.  The Bears finished up with only 82 yards rushing on 33 carries (2.5 ypc) and they also completed 15 of 25 passes for 203 yards.

http://scores.espn.go.com/nfl/boxscore?gameId=271007009

Make no mistake about it, Mike McCarthy’s play calling LOST this game!  Sure the 4 turnovers didn’t help but the play calling in second half was the worst I’ve EVER seen.  What the hell was he thinking.  During the first half we’re moving the ball nicely.   Why change things?  His play calling has been suspect sense he got to GB but this game sealed the deal… he’s got to go or he’s got to put someone else in the position of calling the game!

Punt returner Charles Woodson hasn’t made any big plays yet this season as he has returned 12 punts for 97 yards (8.1 avg).  Reserve cornerback Tramon Williams is returning kickoffs this season and he has 272 yards on 12 returns (22.7 avg) so far this season.  The Packers need a little bit more out of these two guys to help out with field position.