Packers Look to get Back to Winning Ways against Redskins

The Green Bay Packers and Washington Redskins enter Sunday night's matchup at FedEx Field heading in opposite directions. Green Bay has lost its last three games, and four of the last five, while Washington is 5-1-1 over its last seven contests. 

The Packers' recent slump has centered around a decimated defense that now ranks 29th in opponent passer rating. Injuries at cornerback and linebacker have been especially damaging, as the Tennessee Titans had only two more incompletions (7) than touchdown passes (5) in last Sunday's loss in Nashville. The test is no easier in the nation's capital against Kirk Cousins, who has thrown for more than 300 yards per game and has six different receivers with at least 26 catches. Cousins has a higher completion percentage and quarterback rating than Aaron Rodgers in the 2016 season.

The Packers signed running back Christine Michael this week, but it's probably too early to count on Michael to be a force in the backfield. Offensive lineman T.J. Lang and David Bakhtiari have already been ruled out for Sunday's game thanks to injuries they suffered at Tennessee last weekend. 

The matchup is a rematch of a first round playoff battle last year, a game that saw Washington take an 11-0 lead before the Packers rallied for a 35-18 win. The Pack had lost two in a row before that battle, while Washington had won four straight.

It's the first of two consecutive prime-time matchups for Green Bay, who face another NFC East foe in Philadelphia next Monday night. The Packers are one game behind Minnesota and Detroit for the NFC North division lead, and have a losing record through nine games for the first time since 2008, the last year Green Bay failed to make the playoffs.