This is easily one of the more interesting Wild Card matchups the NFL has to offer this weekend. The Redskins have been on fire since mid-season and the Packers have lost their last 2 games.
The numbers of both starting quarterbacks tell an interesting story heading into this contest. Aaron Rodgers has 31 touchdowns, 8 interceptions, and a 60.7 completion percentage. He has amassed 3,821 yards, has been sacked 46 times, fumbled 4 times, and has a quarterback rating of 92.7. Cousins on the other hand has 29 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, and a 69.8 completion percentage. He has gained 4,166 yards, has been sacked only 26 times, had 3 fumbles and a quarterback rating of 101.6.
Looking just their numbers Cousins has been a more productive player, who would have thought at the beginning of this season that Kirk Cousins would have a better season than Aaron Rodgers?
Currently the Redskins are opening as 1.5 point favorites over the Packers; this is the 7th consecutive year the Packers have made the playoffs. Green Bay has a lot of stats reappearing from their past; Aaron Rodgers 8 interceptions is his highest total since 2012, and the last time the Packers came into the playoffs as a road wild card team they went on to win the Super Bowl.
The Redskins on the other hand have not beaten a team with a winning record all season long. Washington has been 6-2 at home however they cannot run the ball effectively which leaves most of the game in the hands of Kirk Cousins. The Redskins defense has caused 15 fumbles a number that is only matched by the Carolina Panthers. Despite their proficiency for takeaways the Redskins run defense is awful; they on average allow 122.6 yards to running backs at 4.8 yards a carry.
This game will really come down to matchups; will Damarious Randle be able to suitable fit in for Sam Shields and shut Desean Jackson down? Can Clay Matthews cover Jordan Reed and prevent him from getting into the end zone? Lastly can Kirk Cousins out duel Aaron Rodgers, if he can Cousins should earn himself a brand new contract along with a ton of NFL accolades.
