Washington @ Green Bay: What to Look For

After a tough loss at San Francisco to open the season, the Packers look to rebound and avoid an 0-2 start. According to NFL.com, only 11.6% of teams that started 0-2 have qualified for the postseason since the playoff expansion of 1990. Fortunately, the visiting Washington football club find themselves in the same position, having failed to recover from a slow start against the Philadelphia Eagles and dropping to 0-1.

This is the Packers home opener. Thanks to a recently completed renovation, Lambeau Field has given birth to 7,000 new seats in the south end zone. The excitement will be palpable.

Here are a few key points to keep track of throughout this game.

RGIII: Coming off a devastating knee injury, the young Washington quarterback looks rusty and a long way from 100%. That said, Robert Griffin III is a qualified passer and decision maker. Pegged as a 'read-option quarterback,' it's unlikely we'll see a single option snap in light of his ongoing knee rehab. Last week against the Eagles, RGIII started slow and wasn't leveraging his lower body in the passing game. He wasn't stepping into his throws. As the second half wore on, however, he appeared to become more comfortable, and his throws more accurate. The Packers would be wise to plan for and expect the RGIII from the second half of last week's game rather than the first. Robert Griffin III  will look to expose Green Bay's young secondary, specifically M.D. Jennings, Jerron McMillian, and Micah Hyde. All three were guilty last week of allowing Anquan Boldin to have his way with the middle of the field—he accounted for over 200 yards of offense for the 49ers. Morgan Burnett would help bolster the secondary, but his status will likely be a game-time decision as he works his way back from a hammy.

Alfred Morris: The second year running back for Washington is coming off a disappointing opener—45 yards on 12 carries—but that's no reason to sleep on the crafty rusher. Alfred Morris exploded onto the NFL stage last year, logging 1,613 rushing yards in his rookie campaign. He's Washington's primary ball-carrier, and should see at least 20 touches unless the Packers build an early lead. The Packers unveiled an improved run defense last week in San Francisco, holding the powerful Frank Gore and gazelle-like Colin Kaepernick to just 90 total rushing yards on 34 attempts.  Morris represents another early test for the Packers, who appear to be taking on DE Johnny Jolly's on-field persona and playing with an edge.

Orakpo and Kerrigan: Washington boasts not one but two top-end linebackers in Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan. The tandem has notched 26 total sacks in the last 2 seasons combined, and that's with Orakpo missing all but two games in 2012 with a pectoral tear. That injury appears not to be fully healed, as Orakpo looked apprehensive at times last week in Philadelphia. He's still an elite athlete, and combined with Kerrigan, they really don't surrender much in the middle of the field, and are quality pass rushers.

Sloppy Seconds: As poor as Green Bay's secondary looked at times last week, Washington may have it worse. DeAngelo Hall is their best corner, but he's over the hill and can be exposed. The safety tandem of E.J. Biggers and rookie Bacarri Rambo has to be among the leagues worst. In last weeks opener, they accounted for 6 missed tackles between them, and that's excluding the plays where they were beaten so badly there was no chance to even attempt a tackle. Certainly Green Bay quaterback Aaron Rodgers has to be licking his chops to feast on Washington's famine. If Rodgers can take advantage in the air and build an early lead, Washington will be forced to abandon the run and rely on their rusty quarterback and passable receivers—their wheels will fall off.

More from the Daily Dope Sheet:

• DDS Podcast, Episode One: 9.12.13 - Brian and Zach discuss the loss to the 49ers, Clay Matthews' clothesline, the upcoming game against Washington, and the phenomenon of the out-of-markert fan.

• Packers Humbled in Opener, fall 34-28: Some quick hits after the opening day loss to the 49ers.

Packers Humbled in Opener, Lose 34-28

The visiting Packers were again humbled by the home-team Niners to open the season—a highly touted rematch of last year's playoff rout. With a final score of 43-28, this latter contest was much more competitive than the prior, but San Francisco continues to be the Achilles heel on an otherwise formidable Green Bay football team. I had the pleasure of watching this game at the abode of some Niner fan friends. Wait—let me rephrase. My viewing experience was less than optimal. Here are some quick takeaways.

Photo credit: 49ers.com

Eddie Lately: The Packers seemed poised to unveil a new balanced attack on the back of rookie rusher Eddie Lacy. But those who expected great things from the get were foolish to ignore San Francisco's epic run defense. With a stingy defensive front lead by Smith & Smith (that's Justin at DT and Aldon at LB), not to mention LB's Navorro Bowman and Patrick Willis just to name a few, it was another long day for the Packers offensive backfield.

Lacy ended the day with 14 carries for 41 yards (a mere 2.9 YPC average), but did score on a goal line leaper—a game highlight for the young back. On the flip side, Lacy's lowlight came in the second quarter when LB Navorro Bowman dislodged the ball from the rookie's grip, forcing a fumble that lead directly to a Niners touchdown. The Packers had chances to make up for that, but it was ultimately the difference in the game.

Fans would be remiss to bemoan Lacy so soon, though. When it all shakes out, the 49ers will finish the season with a top three run defense, and the Packers will not face such a threat for the entire balance of the season.

Photo credit: 49ers.com

Second Thought Secondary: Simply put, the Packers need
Casey Hayward and Morgan Burnett. With the defensive line and linebackers wholly occupied with containing Colin Kaepernick, the secondary minus the two starters was routinely exploited in the middle of the field. New Niners weapon Anquan Boldin may be slow, but he caught everything thrown his way, bowling forward with a kinetic energy that left the secondary constantly on their heels. Such is the threat of Boldin, a giant body with great hands who is constantly moving forward.

Notably smoked in this contest were safeties M.D. Jennings and Jerron McMillian, who just could not keep tabs on San Francisco's wideouts for as long as QB Colin Kaepernick tends to linger with the ball in his hand.

Photo Credit: Packers.com

Jolly's Return a Spark: With most fans focusing on a new-look Packers rushing attack, it's worth noting that the return of DL Johnny Jolly appeared to give the team something they've lacked in his three year absence: attitude and a consistent pass rush. Green Bay twice wrangled the nimble Kaepernick for sacks, no small feet when you consider the strength and competency of San Francisco's offensive line, not to mention Kaepernick's incredible elusiveness. Jolly himself was credited with one of the two sacks, corralling the gazelle-like quarterback out of bounds for a loss.

The imposing defenseman could be seen many times on the sidelines firing up the squad for the occasion, including the frequently exploited young safeties.