Instant analysis: Packers beat Washington thanks to big stops in red zone
On 15 straight chances to start the 2021 season, the Green Bay Packers gave up touchdowns to opponents possessing the ball inside the 20-yard line.
On Sunday, the effort of the Packers’ patchwork defense inside the red zone helped Matt LaFleur’s team beat Washington and improve to 6-1 after seven games.
Even without starters Za’Darius Smith, Preston Smith, Jaire Alexander and Kevin King, the Packers defense made four consecutive stops in the red zone during the second half, including three that didn’t end in points for Washington. Twice, Washington had a goal-to-go situation and didn’t score. In all, the four red-zone trips netted Washington only three points.
The Packers won the game, 24-10.
All the stops inside the 20-yard line helped the Packers survive an otherwise up-and-down performance overall. Washington out-gained the Packers by over 100 yards and rushed for 195 total yards, but the stats didn’t matter because the visitors were so bad inside the red zone.
The first stand included a wild two-play sequence. Washington quarterback Taylor Heinicke was ruled down at the 1-yard line on a third-down scramble in which he dove for the end zone but ended up just short. A play later, the Packers stuffed Heinicke’s sneak attempt and took over on downs.
The defense turned Washington over on downs again on the next possession, and then Chandon Sullivan made a leaping interception in the end zone to ensure the Washington scored zero points on three consecutive red-zone trips.
While a late field goal from Chris Blewitt cut the lead to 14 points, the Packers got sacks from Rashan Gary and Kingsley Keke halting the drive after Washington had entered the red zone.
Throw in the three touchdown passes thrown by Aaron Rodgers during the first three quarters of action, and the Packers got more than enough to win at Lambeau Field.
Green Bay scored 17 points on four red-zone trips, while Washington only got three points out of four. The success in the red zone was the difference in a 10-point win.
Rodgers took three sacks, but he also completed 27 of 35 passes for 274 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. His passer rating was 127.6. The Packers struggled against Washington’s defensive line and ended up with only 57 rushing yards.
Heinicke completed 25 passes for 268 yards and rushed 10 times for 95 yards, but he lost a fumble leading to a touchdown, and his interception in the end zone took points off the board in the second half. He also failed on the quarterback sneak and threw incomplete on another fourth down in the red zone.
The Packers have now won six straight games. LaFleur’s team has a few days to rest up and prepare for the currently unbeaten Arizona Cardinals on Thursday night.
