Posted on 10/13/2007 10:10:25 PM

NFL Online Betting: Redskins at Packers

By Marc Reichertz

The Green Bay Packers will be looking to bounce back from their first loss of the season when they host the Washington Redskins come Sunday. After a Cinderella-like start to the 2007-08 campaign the Packers youth seemed that they caught-up to them last week when rookie James Jones fumbled twice to kill potential scoring drives and the team blew a 10-point halftime lead by committing five turnovers. The ‘Skins shut down the Lions prolific offense and emerging quarterback Jason Campbell finished 23-for-29 with a career-high 248 yards and two touchdowns and was named the NFC’s offensive player of the week. The Week 6 football line that has the Packers (-3) favored by a field goal at Lambeau Field while the football betting public is close to a split down the middle.

The Packers need to run the ball effectively in this game in order to force a talented Redskins’ secondary to commit to helping in run support. The problem is Green Bay ranks 31st in the league averaging 67.6 yards a game and has failed to produce any consistency with the ground game. Last week they showed signs of life in the first half, but then mustered a meager 19 yards rushing in the second. Washington has been stout against the run only giving up 86 yards a game but they will likely be without defensive end Phillip Daniels and linebacker Marcus Washington. Green Bay’s offensive line will be without center Scott Wells and their running back-by-committee (likely DeShawn Wynn, Ryan Grant and Brandon Jackson this week) may struggle again.

Brett Favre has a trio of talented receivers Donald Driver, Greg Jennings and James Jones and he’ll continue to attack with a variety of short slants and crossing patterns. Safety Sean Taylor sets the physical tone for a Redskins secondary that has held opponents to 182 yards a game. Last week they held Jon Kitna to 106 yards passing, forced a pair of interceptions and shut down Roy Williams. Brett Favre will need to be sharp and the Packers will need to execute better than last week and take advantage of their opportunities in the red zone. Tackle Chad Clifton will have his hands full with Andre Carter who has eight sacks in his last eight games, four in four games this year, including two last week against Detroit.

Jason Campbell had his best game of the season last week against a struggling Detroit secondary, but despite last week’s offensive fireworks the Redskins are still only averaging 210 yards a game through the air and Campbell has a lackluster 84.3 passer rating with four touchdowns and three interceptions. Washington will likely be without Antwaan Randle El but Santana Moss should be in the lineup. The Packers have two solid corners in Charles Woodsen and Al Harris, but the biggest challenge the Packers’ defense will face is matching up linebackers and safeties against tight end Chris Cooley. Brady Poppinga is still a liability in coverage and safety Nick Barnett plays himself out of position too often.

The Redskins are still a running team and the formidable tandem of Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts can wear down a defense that is stuck on the field too long. Like the ‘Skins, the Packers defense has been strong against the run, giving up their first rushing touchdown of the season last week. Linebackers Nick Barnett and A.J. Hawk need to stuff the run while Aaron Kampman and Cullen Jenkins will pressure quarterback Jason Campbell.

Both of these teams have been impressive against the spread with Green Bay 5-1 ATS in their last six games overall and the Redskins 4-0 ATS in their last four against team’s with a winning record. Mike McCarthy will have the Packers recalibrated after losing last week while Jason Campbell will find things much harder this week on the road against a better defense.

NFL BETTING FREE PICK: PACKERS AT -3

Week 6 NFL Odds Podcast:

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