3 Key Matchups the Green Bay Packers must win against Washington

Is Week 7 too early to be calling a game a must-win? Well, if it is, I’m still going to do it. The Green Bay Packers are 3-3, have three straight road games, beginning this week in Washington, and then face Buffalo next Sunday.

If the Green Bay Packers are going to turn things around against the Commanders, it begins with winning these three matchups.

Green Bay Packers offensive line vs. Washington pass rush

We do not know what the Green Bay Packers offensive line configuration is going to look like on Sunday, but odds are there is going to be some movement after last week’s performance. Recently, I took a look at five different combinations the Packers could utilize.

This week, the Packers’ offensive line is going to be tested again against Washington–a group that Matt LaFleur said can give you “nightmares.”

The Commanders enter Sunday’s game with the third-highest pressure rate this season and the sixth-most sacks. Edge rusher Montez Sweat ranks fifth in pressures, while interior linemen Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne rank in the top 10 of their position group.

While much of the attention is on Aaron Rodgers, LaFleur, and what adjustments they will make to attempt to fix this sputtering offense, none of that really matters if the offensive line play doesn’t improve.

Green Bay Packers front seven vs. Washington running backs

The Commanders have a trio of running backs that the Packers are going to have to worry about, and each brings a different element to the offense.

Rookie Brian Robinson is primarily the ball carrier, tallying 82 yards and a touchdown in two games. JD McKissic has often been used as a pass catcher, hauling in 24 of 32 targets for 159 yards this season. Meanwhile, Antonio Gibson does a little bit of everything, recording 214 rushing yards, 152 receiving, and a pair of touchdowns.

With Taylor Heinicke at quarterback, I fully expect Washing to lean heavily on their running backs, whether that be on the ground or through quick, easy completions in the passing game.

The Green Bay run defense is allowing 4.9 yards per rush this season, which ranks 25th in the NFL. In the passing game, running backs Saquon Barkley and Leonard Fournette have found some success, but nothing catastrophic.

However, with De’Vondre Campbell not playing as well as he did in 2021, Quay Walker struggling in coverage, and missed tackles being an issue for this team, McKissic and Gibson are two players the Packers very much have to worry about.

Green Bay Packers defensive front rush vs. Washington offensive line

It really feels like whichever offensive line unit can handle the opposing defensive front the best is going to put themselves in the best position to win on Sunday. Like the Packers, Washington’s offensive line play has had its issues as well.

Washington has allowed the eighth most pressures this season, along with the most sacks. The Commander ball carriers are also averaging just 4.0 yards per rush, which ranks 24th.

With Heinicke under center, there is a mobility element that the Packers have to contend with now. Heinicke rushed for 95 yards against Green Bay last year when these two teams met and 313 yards overall on the season.

Heinicke is, however, turnover prone. His 15 interceptions were the sixth most last season, despite playing fewer games than the five quarterbacks ahead of him, and his 29 turnover-worthy plays were the fourth-most, according to PFF ($$). He also lost seven fumbles.

Slowing the Washington run game, which I expect them to lean on, will give the Green Bay pass rush more opportunities to pin their ears back and get after Heinicke, which hopefully results in a few turnover opportunities–something that the Packers have struggled with this season.

The Packers have just four takeaways this season, and one way that this defense could help out a struggling offense is by providing more opportunities and shorter fields to work with.