The Green Bay Packers' passing game has more than struggled this season. They're ranked in the lower 25 percent of the NFL - incredible to think of when you have Aaron Rodgers as a quarterback.
620WTMJ Packers analyst Larry McCarren says that Sunday's wild card game in Washington could give them an opportunity to get back on track.
"The Redskins' weakness is their secondary. It's not a good one. They've got a lot of injuries. They're playing guys they've signed during the season off the street. It's just an area that can be exploited," said McCarren. Just as the Packers' pass offense is ranked 25th in the NFL, the Washington pass defense is 25th.
"If there was ever a secret elixir for a passing game that's been kind of broken, I think it's the Redskins' secondary."
If it is that elixir that Green Bay needs, they will need an offensive line that is the NFL's most injured - all five starters on the current injury list - to be healthy and productive Sunday.
"The banged-up offensive line hasn't helped," admitted McCarren, a former Packers center.
"That will disrupt any quarterback. It's hard to do business that way. For this 10-game stretch...you don't see many plays where Aaron goes back and throws on rhythm. It just hasn't been there."
Defensively, McCarren suggests that Green Bay must focus on pass rush.
"Get pressure on Kirk Cousins. He's been playing very well," said McCarren. Cousins has 20 touchdown passes and three interceptions.
"The Packers have got to apply some pressure to him (and) force turnovers. The turnover ratio is huge in playoff games. If they can come up with a couple of takeaways and keep consistent pressure on Kirk Cousins, it would go a long way."
