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What's wrong with the Green Bay Packers?

Nothing. Nothing at all.

So say Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy, who spent the week leading up to Sunday's key NFC battle with the Redskins (5-3-1) asserting that there's no rift between the two of them.

That's after both sent mixed messages in postgame press conferences following ugly losses. After the Packers (4-5) got whacked by the Colts at home in Week 9, Rodgers sounded off about a lack of energy and said the squirrel that ran on the field was more exciting, only for McCarthy to say otherwise.

And after getting blown out in Nashville by the by Titans in Week 10, Rodgers said the Packers lacked a sense of urgency. The next day, McCarthy said that he's a highly successful NFL coach, in case anybody has forgotten. Then Rodgers made a point of defending his coach, calling criticism of McCarthy ridiculous.

What's not up for debate: The Packers, a trendy Super Bowl pick, have dropped four of their last five and are 8-11 in their last 19 regular-season games. Green Bay can't run the ball and its pass defense ranks 29th in opponent passer rating.

The Packers are in serious jeopardy of missing the playoffs for the first time since the 2008 season -- Rodgers' first as the full-time starter. And they've become the kind of week-in, week-out soap opera that has been a hallmark of the Redskins under Dan Snyder.

Meanwhile, the Redskins -- who fell to the Packers in the wild-card round of last season's NFC playoffs -- are riding high. They've won five of their last seven and are right in the thick of the NFC wild-card race.

Green Bay sacked Cousins six times in that wild-card win but its pass rush has been anemic in its three-game skid. The possible return of outside linebacker Clay Matthews (hamstring) after a three-game absence could provide a lift.

Most concerning, however, is a secondary that was shredded by Marcus Mariota to the tune of five TDs. Mariota failed to complete only seven passes, and the Titans' passing attack isn't nearly as frightening as what the Redskins will trot out Sunday night.

The Packers could also be without two key offensive line starters: right guard T.J. Lang (foot) and left tackle David Bakhtiari (knee). The good news for Green Bay? James Starks is considered healthy again and may get more touches than the seven carries he had against the Titans.

Still, Rodgers, who has thrown 188 times in the last four games, will likely have to sling it early and often against All-Pro Josh Norman and the Redskins secondary.

Here are more details on the matchup, including how to watch and stream the game and a pick from Pete Prisco

How to Watch

  • What: Green Bay Packers at Washington Redskins
  • When: Sunday, Nov. 20, 8:30 p.m. ET
  • Where: FedExField, Landover, Md.
  • TV: NBC (Mike Tirico, Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya)
  • Streaming: Verizon NFL Mobile App
  • Sunday Ticket: DirecTV
  • Online: NFL Game Pass (available to watch online after midnight)
  • Odds: The Packers are 4-point favorites, according to SportsLine

Injury report

Packers

  • G T.J. Lang (Foot) -- Out
  • CB Damarious Randall (Groin) -- Out
  • LB Jake Ryan (Ankle) -- Out
  • C/G JC Tretter (Knee) -- Out
  • TE Jared Cook (Ankle) -- Questionable
  • LB Clay Matthews (Hamstring) -- Questionable

Redskins

  • WR DeSean Jackson (Shoulder) -- Questionable
  • OT Morgan Moses (Ankle) -- Questionable
  • LS Nick Sundberg (Back) -- Questionable

Prisco's Pick

The Packers are playing consecutive road games, and they were awful last week at Tennessee. At 4-5, this is a must-win game. But the Redskins looked good in beating another NFC North team last week in Minnesota. This time, the Packers get back on track. Upset coming.

Pick: Packers 33, Redskins 30