Redskins-Packers keys to victory: defense

Jim Haslett's 3-4 defense knocked the Eagles' Mike Vick, DeSean Jackson, LeSean McCoy and Jeremy Maclin out of the game, some more literally than others. If they plan on winning the battle vs. the Packers this week, the defense had better get their track shoes on. Here's what the Redskins' defense will need to do if they want to be successful in this game:

The Packers' starting running back is out for the year with on injury, and Green Bay's running attack went on injured reserve along with Ryan Grant. No need to let Brandon Jackson find too many yards in this game. So, yes, stop the run first. If the defense doesn't take the run for granted and shut it down quickly, the Packers will abandon it.

The Packers are coming into this game knowing that Aaron Rodgers has to be effective throwing the ball. Donald Driver and Greg Jennings are very capable targets, Driver is a future Hall of Famer in my book. Whatever the Redskins' secondary did with the Eagles' receivers, they need to do the same thing this week. They held Jackson and Maclin to 34 yards combined. If they can do that against the Packers, Rodgers will have to use his tight end and running backs and hope that it's good enough to get touchdowns.

The pass rush needs to be better. They have pressured quarterbacks all year, but need sacks and forced fumbles. Because Green Bay's running game is so weak, I look for Haslett to dial up all kinds of blitzes. I'm thinking that the Packers will have to earn the respect of Haslett in the running game before he does something different.

This will be a great week to generate turnovers, and to take it a step further, turn them into points.

Do this and the defense will its part of the game. I have confidence it can. Advantage: Redskins defense.