The Green Bay Packers delivered three interceptions and allowed only one touchdown during last Sunday’s win over the struggling New York Giants.
A similar performance should be in store for Mike Pettine’s defense on Sunday when the Washington Redskins arrive at Lambeau Field.
There isn’t a worse offense in the entire NFL than the one being led by rookie quarterback Dwayne Haskins.
Through 13 weeks, the Redskins offense ranks…
– 32nd in total yards
– 32nd in points
– 32nd in first downs
– 32nd in passing yards
– 32nd in offensive DVOA
– 32nd in passing offense DVOA
– 31st in passing TDs
– 32nd in yards/attempt
– 30th in passer rating
– 30th in sack percentage
– 32nd on third down
– 29th in scoring percentage
– 31st in red zone TD percentage
– 28th in yards/play
– 31st in expected points added
– 32nd in net yards/attempt
The Redskins have won two straight games after starting 1-9, and they rushed for 248 total yards during last Sunday’s win over the Carolina Panthers, so there is a glimmer of hope for Bill Callahan’s team.
Still, consider this: The Redskins haven’t thrown for over 200 total passing yards in a game since Week 3, and they’ve only scored 20 or more points in a game three times all season, and two came in Weeks 1-2. Five times, they’ve been held under 10 points.
The Redskins do have some efficiency building in the run game. Veteran Adrian Peterson is averaging 4.4 yards per carry, and Derrius Guice has returned to produce 203 rushing yards on just 37 attempts, good for an average of 5.5 yards per carry. Callahan wants to run the football as much as possible, and Peterson and Guice are an intriguing 1-2 punch.
But it’s hard to see any team coming into Lambeau Field and playing well on offense without something from the quarterback position, and Haskins doesn’t look all that capable, at least at this point in his young career.
Over his first six NFL appearances, Haskins completed 54.1 percent of his passes, averaged 6.0 yards per attempt, taken 22 sacks, threw six interceptions and produced a passer rating of 70.4.
Among quarterbacks with at least four starts, Haskins ranks last in the NFL in completion percentage, yards per attempt, touchdown percentage, interception percentage, sack percentage and passer rating.
Even with a dominant running game at his side last week, Haskins was still only able to muster 147 passing yards on 25 attempts and 13 completions. He took five sacks, fumbled twice and threw several near interceptions.
The matchup to watch in the passing game is rookie receiver Terry McLaurin vs. Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander. The former Buckeye pass-catcher has 42 receptions for 646 yards and five scores in his first NFL season. He’s a savvy route runner with quickness and down-the-field explosiveness.
However, the Redskins don’t have another receiver or tight end with 300 or more receiving yards this season.
Expect another dominant performance from Pettine’s defense on Sunday. The Packers just need to contain the run game and put the offense back in Haskins’ hands. If they can do that, a bunch of sacks and takeaways are coming Green Bay’s way.