Football Guys: Skins/Packers writeup

[DixieFlatline]

I don't know how many of you get the footballguys.com emails, but thought I'd share what they say about our game this weekend. They do this for all the games for us fantasy football nuts.

Washington Redskins Passing Offense at Green Bay Packers Passing Defense (Neutral Matchup)

Jason Campbell is delivering a very workmanlike season to date, minimizing his mistakes and trusting to his strong defense and stout running game. To date, he is the 20th ranked fantasy QB in points per game, with 67/113 for 869 yards, 4 TDs and 3 interceptions on his stat line. Last week, without Santana Moss (whose chronically sore groin flared up to the extent that he couldn't compete vs. Detroit), Campbell tossed 23/29 for 248 yards, 2 TDs and 0 interceptions, marking his strongest game of the season. Mike Sellers (3/36/1) and Chris Cooley (4/26/1) reeled in the scores, while Antwaan Randle El (7/100/0) and Keenan McCardell (2/39/0) led the team in receiving yards. Randle El ended up sidelined due to a tweaked hamstring - owners of either Moss or Randle El will want to monitor their practice participation later in the week to get a solid handle on their availability for Sunday's game. Moss did participate in practices Wednesday and has been described as "much better" this week.

The Packers' pass D isn't the teams' strong suit, ranking 23rd in the NFL allowing an average of 226.4 net yards per game, with 8 passing TDs vs. only 5 interceptions to date. They are tied for 11th in the NFL with 12 sacks so far this year, though, which helps keep the team out of the cellar in the net yardage department. Last week, Brian Griese and the Bears gained 15/25 for 203 net passing yards, 2 TDs and 1 interception vs. Green Bay.

The Lambeau faithful will help make things difficult for Campbell - on balance, we think this is a fairly even matchup between middle-of-the-road units.

Weather: Lambeau Field should have a high around 61F with a low of 43F and a 0% chance for rain. That's great football weather in our opinion.

Green Bay Packers Passing Offense vs Washington Redskins Passing Defense (Tough Matchup)

Brett Favre played a game that was a tale of 2 halves last week. In the first half, he looked unstoppable, hitting his receivers in stride and slicing through the Bears' defense with relative ease. In the second half, he forced a ball and it became a game-turning interception (he also threw a second INT on a last-second Hail Mary at the gun). When the dust settled, Favre had racked up 29/40 for 322 yards, 1 TD and 2 interceptions (nothing to sniff at in fantasy terms), but the Packers notched their first "L" of the season. In defeat, Greg Jennings led the team with 4/83/1, James Jones was second with 5/61/0, and Donald Driver third in receiving with 4/51/0. The above-named three players are becoming a force to be reckoned with, though - don't look for Favre's numbers to falter any time soon. Jennings did miss practice on Wednesday due to a sore hamstring and shoulder - his owners will want to watch his progression in practices later this week.

The Redskins boast the league' s 8th-ranked pass defense, averaging 182 net yards allowed per game, with only 2 passing scores given up to date (vs. 4 interceptions generated). The 'Skins have handed over just 52 total points this year (3rd-best in the NFL as of week 5), and have tied for 11th in the NFL with 12 sacks to their credit so far. This defense is among the league's best in both phases of the game.

Favre and company have really got their engine humming along nicely entering week 6, but they face a tougher-than-usual matchup when the stout Redskins come calling on Sunday.

Weather: Lambeau Field should have a high around 61F with a low of 43F and a 0% chance for rain. That's great football weather in our opinion.

Green Bay Packers Rushing Offense vs Washington Redskins Rushing Defense (Tough Matchup)

Green Bay's stable of backs broke out of their early-season doldrums against the Bears, providing a solid 22/121/1 rushing to complement Brett Favre's aerial blitzkrieg. DeShawn Wynn threw down 13/78/1 rushing and 1/13/0 receiving last week, while Vernand Morency sparked the attack with 9/43/0 rushing and 7/48/0 receiving - it was a pleasant surprise to Packers' fans everywhere. This week, the team may add Brandon Jackson back into the mix (he was described as "much improved" by coach McCarthy on Monday) - we'll see how the carries are doled out if Jackson joins the committee this week. Jackson did practice with the team on Wednesday. Wynn may well lead the group in rushing while Jackson knocks the rust off. Morency should handle 3rd down duty and the receptions. One other change will definitely happen this week as C Scott Wells has a fractured orbital bone of his right eye socket, and he'll sit out while that injury heals. Jason Spitz will continue to sub for Wells (he did O.K. in that role in relief of Wells last week).

The Redskins come into this contest ranked 8th in the NFL averaging 86 rushing yards allowed per game, with only 2 rushing TDs given up in 4 games. They clamped down on the Lions in a big way last week (34-3 victory), allowing a mere 20/68/0 to the Lions' stable during that contest. It isn't easy facing the Redskins' defensive front.

This looks like a tough challenge for the home team, folks.

Washington Redskins Rushing Offense at Green Bay Packers Rushing Defense (Tough Matchup)

Clinton Portis just keeps on churning out the yards, most recently he gained 18/72/0 rushing and 2/19/0 receiving vs. the hapless Lions. Over the past 3 weeks, Portis has piled up 31/132/1 rushing and 8/56/0 receiving to rank 22nd among fantasy RBs in total points, while Ladell Betts has 15/31/0 rushing and 3/21/0 receiving (the Redskins only played 2 games during those 3 weeks, which accounts for their lower total-points ranking). For the year, Portis is 9th in the NFL in fantasy points per game, with 66/299/3 rushing and 9/63/0 receiving. He's been a solid RB1 to date.

The Packers' rush defense is pretty respectable, currently ranking 14th in the NFL allowing an average of 101.4 yards per game - but they have allowed only a lone rushing TD over 5 games. That came last week when the Bears managed 33/82/1 as a team (a lowly 2.5 yards per carry). It's not easy to gain ground on the Packers' defensive front.

Portis and his side-kick Betts have been solid this season, but in the hostile confines of Lambeau field they're likely to have a hard time moving the ball against the surprising Packers.

Weather: Lambeau Field should have a high around 61F with a low of 43F and a 0% chance for rain. That's great football weather in our opinion.