LANDOVER, Md. – The Packers' first non-division game, and their only game against an NFC East opponent this season, is upon us.
Here are a handful of items worth keeping an eye on:
1. An old foe: RB Adrian Peterson is Washington's lead back, and he'll be facing the Packers for the first time in a uniform other than Minnesota's. In 17 previous games against Green Bay, Peterson topped 100 rushing yards eight times, but the last one was in 2013. This season, Peterson had 96 yards and a TD in Washington's opener, but just 20 yards on 11 carries last week.
2. Back in the saddle: Second-year RB Aaron Jones is back for the Packers this week after serving a two-game suspension. Jones averaged 5.5 yards per carry as a rookie and had six rushes of 20-plus yards amongst his 81 carries last season. His running style is a significant change-up from that of Jamaal Williams and Ty Montgomery.
3. All-purpose back: RB Chris Thompson is actually Washington's leading receiver, with 19 receptions for 155 yards, and he has complemented Peterson with 66 rushing yards as well. How the Packers match up with Thompson could determine how other matchups fall against TE Jordan Reed and others.
4. Roaming safety: While CB Josh Norman is the biggest name in the Washington secondary, it's S D.J. Swearinger who has two interceptions so far this season. Washington is his fourth NFL team, but he seems to have found a home, and his two picks of Indy QB Andrew Luck last week will have him hunting for more.
5. Quarterbacks forever linked: Washington QB Alex Smith was the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2005, and Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers slid all the way to No. 24. In head-to-head meetings, Rodgers is 2-1. The Rodgers-led Packers split with the Smith-led 49ers in 2009 and '12, and Green Bay also beat Kansas City in '15.
