LISTEN: WMAL’s Trevor Matich Makes His Redskins/Packers Prediction

John Matthews
WMAL.com

WASHINGTON — (WMAL) One team has the NFL’s hottest quarterback and a healthy stable of dangerous offensive weapons, but a susceptible defense prone to giving up big plays. The other team has a first-ballot future Hall of Famer behind center and a strong defense capable of keeping its offense on the field for long stretches of time.

So… Who ya got Sunday?

After bouncing back and forth in each team’s favor, Las Vegas oddsmakers have generally settled down to making the Packers a one-point favorite over the Redskins, but that line is likely to move again as the game gets closer to kickoff, so you’ll get no help from them in deciding what has truly become a “pick ’em” game.

On paper, it appears to be a relatively easy decision.

For the past half-season, Kirk Cousins has been on fire, throwing for 23 touchdowns and just three interceptions since leading the Redskins to a stunning comeback from a 24-point deficit to beat Tampa Bay back in October – the game that begat the now de rigueur “You Like That” catchphrase. The team finished the regular season with four straight wins, and is playing at home, where it enjoyed a 6 – 2 record. The Redskins’ defense has not been so dominant, finishing the season ranked 28th in total yards, but ranked 17th in points allowed, a testament to the defense’s ability to force fumbles and stop teams in the clutch.

For the Packers, 2015 has been a big disappointment.

After ripping off six straight wins to open the season, Green Bay has been reeling, finishing the season with a 4 and 6 record, which would have been 3 and 7 if not for a miracle Hail Mary pass to beat the Lions in December. The Packers offense has struggled for most of the year without it’s biggest receiving weapon – wideout Jordy Nelson, who was lost for the year with a knee injury. The Pack’s roster is a veritable triage-in-waiting, with no fewer than 18 players listed on the team’s injury list, including the team’s left tackle and its best cornerback, both of whom could miss Sunday’s game. Green Bay also has no momentum on its side, having lost two games in a row to end the season.

Take away the brand names, and the Redskins would easily be a seven-point favorite. But there’s one huge brand keeping Washington from running away with the game. His name is Aaron Charles Rodgers.

The two-time league MVP quarterback has a well-deserved reputation as a clutch player – someone who can put his entire team on his back and lead them to victory. His stats sheet is downright gaudy. He’s the NFL’s all-time career leader in regular season passer rating, and he also holds the league’s lowest career passing interception percentage at 1.6 percent. He also has one thing Kirk Cousins doesn’t have and can’t duplicate – big game experience.

Many gamblers and NFL analysts are willing to give Rodgers the benefit of the doubt – especially against a team which still has much to prove.

The Redskins didn’t reach the .500 mark on the season until mid-December, and they have yet to beat a team with a winning record. In fact, three of the Redskins’ opponents finished with winning records this season, and all three beat Washington, by a combined score of 105 – 46.

WMAL’s own Redskins analyst, Trevor Matich, is bullish on the home team.

“The Redskins will win this game,” Matich told WMAL’s Mornings on the Mall Friday. “There are some heart-wrenching moments, some scary times, but in what will be a quarterback duel, Kirk Cousins will outduel Aaron Rodgers.”

Matich also favors the Redskins’ matchups.

“The Packers’ linebackers aren’t very good in pass coverage, and the Redskins have a couple of guys in Pierre Thomas and Chris Thompson at running back, who can get out into the pass pattern and cause trouble,” says Matich. “Cousins is so decisive than once the passing lane opens up, then – BAM – he’s there.”

Kickoff at Fed Ex Field Sunday is at 4:40pm .