ar. Maintaining a consistent pass rush was a goal from

LANDOVER, Md. -- Losers of two in a row, the Green Bay Packers had no trouble sharpening their focus on the Washington Redskins when they met in the playoffs in January.Its their intent to do that again to pull out of this tailspin before its too late.The Packers (4-5) return to the scene of their NFC wild-card win Sunday night hoping that facing the Redskins (5-3-1) can turn their fortunes around after a three-game skid.This game is important because its the game this week, so thats what were focused on: beating the Redskins, Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy said.We clearly understand where we are in our season and understand how weve played the last couple games, so its about improving each and every week.Another loss would make the Packers path to an eighth consecutive playoff appearance more difficult. But the margin of error is also small for the Redskins, who could fall to last place in the NFC East with a loss and a win by the Philadelphia Eagles.While Washingtons position is more comfortable than Green Bays, coach Jay Gruden said the Packers are not far away from being the Packers that we know.Injuries havent helped, but the mere presence of two-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers makes them formidable.The fact that the Packers have lost a couple of games here really is irrelevant when you have him as the quarterback and some of the other great players that they have on defense, Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins said.You realize youve got to come ready to go because theyre going to be hungry and theyre going to be ready.The Redskins are seemingly better than they were when they lost 35-18 on Jan. 10. Cornerback Josh Norman gives the defense a different look, and undrafted rookie Robert Kelley has shown evidence that he can be a capable starting running back.A similar scheme that they ran last year, theyre just doing a little bit better I think, Rodgers said. You have some guys who maybe werent big contributors last year who are kind of stepping up and being more of an impact player this year.Some things to watch when the Packers visit the Redskins:SACKS IN BUNCHES: One reason things fell apart for the Redskins in the playoff game was that their initial pass rush on Rodgers was neutralized by Green Bays running game. Washington has three sacks in five consecutive games, including two big ones by Preston Smith in a victory over the Minnesota Vikings. Its a lot of guys trying to find ways to get to the quarterback, Smith said. And of course its a competition to see who can get more sacks by the end of the year. Maintaining a consistent pass rush was a goal from training camp, and this is another major test.RUN IT OUT: In the span of a few days, Christine Michael went from being the leading rusher for Seattle, to Seahawks outcast, to potential backfield savior for the Packers. Green Bay has only three rushing touchdowns this season, all from Rodgers. McCarthy wants to balance the offense, which has been pass-heavy since Eddie Lacy went down with an ankle injury. Any semblance of a consistent running game will help the Packers extend drives, which could in turn rest a defense that has been on its heels the past few weeks.OFF TO SEE THE WIZARD: Norman relishes matchups against not only top receivers but top quarterbacks, and on a conference call Wednesday he referred to Rodgers as a wizard. Rodgers has Davante Adams and Jordy Nelson as targets, and Norman is eager for the challenge. Facing definitely a cerebral assassin in that guy over there, he said of Rodgers. I know how he works, so Im looking forward to it.STARTING STRONG: Fast starts used to be a Green Bay specialty. Lately, the Packers have been falling behind early. Last week, DeMarco Murray had a 75-yard touchdown run on Tennessees first play from scrimmage. The previous week, the Colts ran the opening kickoff back 99 yards for a score. The poor starts left the Packers scrambling in both games, with the offense forced to get away from the run. The Packers need to avoid another slow start. They also need to avoid the momentum-sapping late scores that have also plagued them near the end of second quarters of recent games.---AP Sports Writer Genaro Armas in Green Bay, Wisconsin, contributed.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Wholesale NBA Jerseys China .875,000, avoiding arbitration. Clippards deal Monday means all eight Nationals players who filed for arbitration wound up settling before a hearing. Cheap NBA Jerseys From China . Ancelotti says Ronaldo has recovered from a hamstring injury but "but he doesnt feel comfortable yet so we wont risk him." Madrid is third in the Spanish league, six points behind leader Barcelona, going into Saturdays game against Valladolid. http://www.cheapbasketballchina.com/ . Murray beat Sam Querrey 7-6 (5), 6-7 (3), 6-1, 6-3 to clinch Britains opening-round victory against the United States on Sunday at Petco Park. "Im proud of the way Im playing just now, because I had to do a lot of work to get back to where I want to be," Murray said after celebrating with his teammates on the red clay court in a temporary stadium in left field of the downtown home of baseballs San Diego Padres. Cheap Boston Celtics Jerseys China .ca. Hey Kerry, big fan of yours, just finished reading your book. I think that we all saw the Canucks/Flames line brawl just after puck drop. It was obvious that something was about to happen, even to the referees because the fourth lines were on to start. Wholesale Basketball Jerseys . Ronaldo produced a spectacular individual performance on Tuesday, scoring all three goals and guiding Portugal into the next years World Cup in Brazil with a 3-2 victory in Sweden. The Real Madrid forward has scored 66 goals in 2013, but the last three may be the boost he needs to upstage Messi after FIFA unexpectedly extended the voting period for the Ballon dOr to Nov. SSP Chawrasia is a tired but relieved man. Chawrasia, Indias second-ranked male golfer, took a flight from Scotland to India and learnt upon landing in his native Kolkata that he will be part of the three-member Indian contingent when golf returns as an Olympic sport next month in Rio.I was sure I would qualify, but I was still checking my phone from time to time, Chawrasia told ESPN, dismissing suggestions that the absence of the worlds top four golfers will take the sheen off the event. The field is still a strong one and I dont think the withdrawals will have any effect.Chawrasia, who will be in Brazil for the first time in his life, will be following a rigorous training schedule over the next three weeks, and is not sure if he will participate in any event before the Olympics.Ill be going to the Royal Calcutta Golf Club for three hours in the morning and two hours every evening, and then Ill also be keeping up my gym work to stay in the best shape, hhe said.ddddddddddddThere wont be any first time blues though for Anirban Lahiri, who won silver at the 2006 Asian Games in Doha in the team competition alongside Gaganjeet Bhullar, Chiragh Kumar and Joseph Chakola.Right from the time Anirban was a junior, weve had some long-term goals for him, Vijay Divecha, Lahiris coach, told ESPN from Toronto, Canada. (Getting a chance to play) majors is obviously something every aspiring golfer aims for. And getting to go to the Olympics is just a fantastic bonus.Divecha, who is travelling with Bengaluru-born Lahiri to make sure his preparations for Rio are up to the mark in the busy schedule ahead in the next month, is also pleased that Aditi Ashok will be part of the womens competition this year. Weve known Aditi since she was seven years old. Its great to have her as part of the team. ' ' '