The Washington Redskins will face \u00a0the first of four NFC\u00a0North teams on the schedule this season when they host the Green Bay Packers on Sunday at FedEx Field. This will be the Redskins earliest start time this season with the kickoff at 1 p.m. The Redskins and\u00a0Packers\u00a0played just four times during the past 21 seasons with Green Bay winning all four games. <\/p>\n
The Redskins and Packers are coming of victories against division opponents and both teams sit atop their division as the second quarter of 2010 season.\u00a0The Packers held off a late rally by the Detroit Lions and kicker Jason Hanson’s four consecutive\u00a0field goals\u00a0to win 28-26. Redskins quarterback Donovan McNabb returned to Lincoln Financial Field as the opponent, after spending the last eleven seasons leading the Philadelphia Eagles to five NFC Championship Games and a Super Bowl appearance, he was traded within the division for a second round pick, McNabb returned to a surprisingly enthusiastic ovation from the Eagles fans before kickoff. McNabb completed 8 of19 passes for 125 yards, with 1 TD, 1 interception, as the Redskins defense recorded an interception, a sack, and a fumble, and held Eagles receivers DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin to 34 combined yards.\u00a0Clinton Portis\u00a0suffered a third-degree groin separation after gaining 55 yard on eleven carries, but backup Ryan Torain came in and ran for 70 yards to keep the ground attack moving and WR Brandon Banks returned a punt 53 yards as the Redskins defeated the Eagles17-12.<\/p>\n
Roster Moves: <\/p>\n
\u2013 On Saturday the Redskins have released Devin Thomas, the third-year receiver who\u00a0started 10 games in 2009 but has \u00a0lined up as a receiver just once in the first four games of 2010. The Redskins had been trying to trade Thomas but unable to work out a deal. Running back Keiland Williams was promoted from the practice squad and will take Thomas’s place on the 53-man roster. Williams may play on Sunday against the Packers. Thomas was the 34th overall selection in the 2008 draft\u00a0 <\/p>\n
\u2013 On Wednesday the Redskins added depth at running back when they signed rookie running back Javarris James to the practice squad. James signed with the Indianapolis Cols as a undrafted free agent but didn’t make the team, he landed on the New England Patriots practice squad in early September. They released him on Tuesday. After practice on Wednesday James was signed by the Colts to their active roster. The Redskins signed running back Quinn Porter a undrafted rookie who was with Green Bay in the preseason to the practice squad Thursday to replace James. Green Bay reached an injury settlement with Porter after he suffered a knee injury during the preseason.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2013 The Redskins have placed punter Josh Bidwell\u00a0on injured reserve. Bidwell injured his right hip during individual warm-ups before the Redskins\u2019 faced the St. Louis Rams in Week three, but returned last Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles and average 33.2 net yards on five punts. The Redskins re-signed\u00a0punter Hunter Smith. Smith, who is beginning his 12th season averaged 41.3 yards per punt and placed 23 inside the 20-yard line as the Redskins punter last season but the Redskins did not offer him a contract during offseason. Smith ran for a touchdown and passed for another during the 2009 season.<\/p>\n
Quotes and Notes:<\/p>\n
\u2014 Defensive Tackle Albert Haynesworth flew to\u00a0Nashville, Tennessee after he received news that his\u00a0youngest brother was killed Thursday night in a motorcycle accident. Haynesworth plans to be with his family away from Washington for several days, Anthony Bryant\u00a0will be able to p;ay in his place after sitting out the last two games with a \u00a0concussion he suffered in practice preparing for the Rams game.<\/p>\n
\u2014 The Redskins are outscoring their opponents 60-27 in first half but have been outscored 52-13 after halftime <\/p>\n
\u2014 The Redskins used undrafted rookie Brandon Banks to return punts last week at Philadelphia. With the release of WR Devin Thomas who was averaging 28 yards per return on 12 kicks this season, Banks could be the leading candidate to return kicks on Sunday against Green Bay. <\/p>\n
\u2014 “Ryan did a great job, Those fresh legs, man, he was able to hit a lot of holes. He ran tough. He ran physical. He’s been waiting for an opportunity to showcase what he can do. He got it and he’s doing a great job. We knew what he was capable of doing. He’s been doing it all throughout OTAs and training camp. It was just a matter of him getting in a meaningful game when you’re on the big stage. He showed he could live up to it and deliver.” \u2014 Right Guard Artis Hicks on RB Ryan Torain’s performance against the Eagles.<\/p>\n
\u2014 “I want to be here. I enjoy being here. I bought a house. We’ll get something done. It won’t be a distraction.” \u2014 QB \u2014 Donovan McNabb on the likelihood of his signing a contract extension with the Redskins. <\/p>\n
\u2014 “I was prepared for this for a long time. When I wasn’t playing and no matter how hard I worked, you know, you could see it didn’t matter, I just said my prayers and started to prepare myself mentally. So I can’t really say it was a surprise, because you could see something was coming with me never playing.” \u2014 \u00a0Former Redskins wide receiver Devin Thomas after being released by the team <\/p>\n
\u2014 \u201cI thought it was, by far, Albert\u2019s best game since I\u2019ve been here, I thought he played very good. Played practically 30 plays, had a couple of holding calls against him, which were difference makers in the game. Just had a lot of effort. I was pleased with his performance.\u201d \u2014 Redskins coach\u00a0Mike Shanahan on the play of defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth<\/p>\n
\u2014 \u201cWe, as an offense, are not comfortable with everything yet, People look at it as, \u2018OK, you got Donovan, you got this new offense, but why aren\u2019t we seeing more from the offense?\u2019 Because we\u2019re still learning. We\u2019re still trying to get in that zone where we know everything from A to Z without having to think about it, and it takes time and the only way you can learn it is by playing. \u2026 Every week is a work in progress, like on the job training type of thing.\u201d \u2014 WR Santana Moss on what the offense is supposed to look like. <\/p>\n
\u2014 \u201cThis is a different type of offense from what I\u2019ve run for 11 years. I have to get to a level where I know I can throw it here, throw it there, These guys are running different routes, we\u2019re calling different plays. Santana has just had more opportunities. We all know that he\u2019s been one of the best receivers here the last couple years, so there\u2019s a reason why he\u2019s getting lots of opportunities. Same with Cooley. We\u2019re going to continue to do what we have to do to get more guys involved, but we\u2019re still going to stay with what we\u2019re doing and get these guys the ball.\u201d \u2014 QB Donovan McNabb on the lack of production from his receivers\u00a0 <\/p>\n
Comparing the Team Leaders: <\/p>\n
The Packers are lead by QB Aaron Rodgers with 940 passing yards and a QB rating of 96.3, he has 8 touchdowns and 5 interceptions compared to Redskins\u2019 QB Donovan McNabb who has 958 yards passing and a QB rating of 84.7, he has thrown 3 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.<\/p>\n
The Packers leading rusher is RB Brandon Jackson averaging 3.0 yards per carry with 137yards on 45 carries and 1 touchdown compared to Redskins RB Ryan Torain who is averaging 4.6 yards per carry with 116 yards on 25 carries and 1 touchdown.<\/p>\n
TE Jermichael Finley is the Packers top pass catcher averaging 14.3 yards per catch with 21 receptions for 301 yards, and has 1 reception for a touchdown. WR Santana Moss is the leading receiver for the Redskins averaging 13.2 yards per catch with 22 receptions for 290 yards, and has 1 reception for a touchdown.<\/p>\n
The Packers defensive leader in tackles is Charles Woodson with 28, Clay Matthews leads the team in sacks with 7 and the Packers have five players with 1 interception each.<\/p>\n
The Redskins defensive leaders are Laron Landry with 39 tackles. Brian Orakpo has a team high 2 sacks and Deangelo Hall, Carlos Rogers and Kareem Moore all have 1 interception.<\/p>\n
Complete Tale of the Tapes:<\/p>\n
Total Offense: Washington is ranked 16th with 328.2 yards per game and Green Bay ranks 18th with 321.2 ypg.<\/p>\n
Rushing Offense: Washington is ranked 19th with 98.0 yards per game and Green Bay ranks 22nd with 94.5 ypg.<\/p>\n
Passing Offense: Washington is ranked 13th with 230.2 yards per game and Green Bay ranks 14th with 226.7 ypg.<\/p>\n
Total Defense: Washington is ranked 31st giving up 406.0 yards per game and Green Bay ranks 9th allowing 303.2 ypg.<\/p>\n
Rushing Defense: Washington is ranked 12th giving up 101.0 yards per game and Green Bay ranks 30th allowing 118.2 ypg.<\/p>\n
Passing Defense: Washington is ranked 31st giving up 305.0 yards per game and Green Bay ranks 6th allowing 185.0 ypg.<\/p>\n
Injury Report:
\nRedskins head coach Mike Shanahan has made frequent use of the “questionable” tag all year. <\/p>\n
RB Clinton Portis (Groin) is listed as Out
\nPortis will be out 4-6 weeks with a third-degree groin separation<\/p>\n
S LaRon Landry (Wrist) is Questionable
\nLandry practiced fully on Thursday and Friday, but is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game<\/p>\n
QB Donovan McNabb (Thigh) is Questionable
\nMcNabb practiced fully for a third straight day Friday, but is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game. <\/p>\n
OL Kory Lichtensteiger (Knee) is Questionable
\nLichtensteiger practiced fully on Friday, but is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game<\/p>\n
DL Albert Haynesworth (Personal ) is Questionable
\nAlbert Haynesworth will not play on Sunday due to the death of his half brother. Haynesworth is coming off his best performance of the season against the Eagles, and will miss Sunday’s game to be with his family. <\/p>\n
S Chris Horton (Ankle) is Questionable
\nHorton practiced fully on Thursday and Friday, but is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game<\/p>\n
OT Trent Williams (Toe) is Questionable
\nWilliams was injured in the final minutes of the Redskins’ loss to the Texans and has been held out of the last two games and was limited in practice on Thursday and Friday,<\/p>\n
Injured Reserves: <\/p>\n
The following players are done for the 2010 season:<\/p>\n
WR Malcolm Kelly (Hamstring)
\nWR Mike Furrey (Concussion)
\nOL Mike Williams (Non-Football Injury)
\nLB Robert Henson (Knee)
\nOL Clint Oldenburg (Ankle)
\nP Josh Bidwell (Hip)<\/p>\n
Edit: This blog was archived in May of 2016 from our original articles database.It was originally posted by Bernie Marshall<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"