The Green Bay Packers used a 14-0 start in the first quarter and a smothering defensive performance against rookie quarterback Dwayne Haskins to squeak out a 20-15 win over the Washington Redskins on Sunday at Lambeau Field.

It was over when …

… Davante Adams handled the onside kick with under a minute left, securing the win after the Redskins scored a late touchdown to cut the lead to five points.

Game balls

RB Aaron Jones: He rushed 16 times for a season-high 134 yards and led the Packers in receptions (6) and receiving yards (58). His 4-yard touchdown gave the Packers an early 7-0 lead.
DL Kenny Clark: He was dominant in the middle of the line, tallying 1.5 sacks, one tackle for loss and two quarterback hits.
PR Tyler Ervin: His four punt returns netted 51 yards. In fact, all four returns gained 10 or more yards and set up the Packers offense with prime field position.

Key Stat

175: The Packers rushed for 175 yards, the team’s most in a game this season.

Quick takes

– Ugly wins still count as wins, and Matt LaFleur’s team is 10-3, but it’d be hard to argue the Packers are operating at maximum capacity entering the final three games of the season. The offense’s performance was especially disheartening. They’ll get beat the next two weeks if they play at the same level they did Sunday.

– The Packers came into the game with -8 punt return yards. They’ll exit Week 14 with 43 punt return yards – 16 more than the previous NFL record for a single season low – after newcomer Tyler Ervin and better blocking sparked the Packers’ revival on punt returns.

– The Packers’ passing game remains frustratingly inconsistent. A mix of factors can be blamed, but more often than not, the offense’s lack of weapons in the passing game makes consistently scheming open players on time really difficult. Aaron Rodgers finished with 195 passing yards on 28 attempts despite facing a secondary missing its two starting cornerbacks.

– Packers receivers caught seven passes for 71 yards.

– Aaron Jones handled 22 touches but even that total didn’t feel like enough. He was the only consistent part of the Packers offense Sunday. He needed the football more.

– Jaire Alexander had his way with rookie Terry McLaurin until the final drive. It was a terrific one-on-one matchup for most of the afternoon.

– The Packers sacked Dwayne Haskins four times and probably should have sacked him on at least four other occasions. He was easy to find in the pocket, and once his ankle started hurting, he was easy to track down, too

– Kenny Clark had one of his best games of the season Sunday. On his sack, he beat two blocks to get to Haskins. Za’Darius Smith, who went out with a knee issue and then returned, produced another disruptive performance.

– Coach Matt LaFleur set a new franchise record with his 10th win as a first-year coach.

– Up next: The Packers welcome the Chicago Bears (7-6) to Lambeau Field for a Week 15 battle in the division on Sunday afternoon.