Week 7 in the NFL has arrived. The Packers are a little banged up heading into this matchup but so is their opponent the Washington Football team. The Packers have a big Thursday night matchup looming against the Arizona Cardinals. This could possibly be a trap game as the team looks ahead to that tough matchup. The Packers are one of four NFC teams at 5-1 and enter Week 7 as the conference’s 4 seed. Washington Football Team, meanwhile, is facing its third potential playoff team in as many weeks. Can the Packers make it 6 wins in a row? Our game preview will get you ready for this Sunday afternoon matchup.

Game Preview: Green Bay Packers vs Washington Football Team

  • When: Sunday, Oct. 24 at 12 p.m. CT
  • Where: Lambeau Field (Green Bay, WI)
  • TV: FOX
  • Broadcasters: Play-by-play man Joe Davis joins analyst Greg Olsen and sideline reporter Pam Oliver.
  • Point spread: Packers favored by 9.5 points
  • Last Meeting: Week 14 2019 in Green Bay – Packers 20, Washington 15

Game Preview: 3 Things to Watch

Injuries

Both teams are dealing with injuries at this point of the season. The Packers have ruled out starting center Josh Myers and backup tackle Dennis Kelly. On the defensive side of the ball, cornerback Kevin King, safety Darnell Savage, and edge rusher Preston Smith are all questionable this week. Meanwhile, for the Washington Football Team both Antonio Gibson and Terry McLaurin missed practice team this week. Tight end Ricky Seals-Jones and wideout Dyami Brown were limited in practice this week and Curtis Samuel and Logan Thomas have been ruled out. Which team will be able to overcome their injuries will be key. The Packers are a much deeper team so they should be able to handle some of their guys missing as they aim to get healthy for the Cardinals.

Takeaways

Since week 1 the Green Bay Packers defense has taken the ball away 9 times and has at least one takeaway in each of the last 5 games. This afternoon could be a big opportunity for the Packers to increase their takeaway number as the Washington Football team is starting backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke. Who already has 6 interceptions this season. He will hold on to the ball longer than most and will try and force it into tough situations to get the big play. This gives the Packers linebackers and secondary the chance to pounce and get an interception or 2.

Packers Defensive Additions

With the slew of injuries on the defensive side of the ball, the Packers have brought in former Pro Bowler Jaylon Smith from the Cowboys and former Texans first-rounder Whitney Mercilus. This will be the game that Smith will see more action and we might see Mercilus in limited action as he gets accustom to the defense. Smith did play 17 snaps last week against the Bears and with Preston Smith out this week, I do see Jaylon Smith playing more than that against the Washington Football Team. Now, Mercilus was just signed on Wednesday so it is not known if he is available or how much he would play. Since the unit is short-handed I do see him playing a handful of snaps.

Final Analysis

The Washington Football Team is banged up and the Packers have more depth to overcome their own injuries. Rodgers has the team clicking at home and the fans will be excited providing the team with the extra energy needed. This has the makings have a trap game with the big one on Thursday Night against the Cardinals looming, but I do not see that happening. The Packers are the more talented team and should be able to handle Washington with relative ease.

Go Pack Go!

Anthony Haag is a writer for PackersTalk.com. He has been a Packers fan since the day he was born and truly bleeds green and gold. He makes annual visits to Lambeau Field and has attended his fair share of games. You can follow Anthony on Twitter at @anthony_haag