The Green Bay Packers are set to enter Week 14 with a 9-3 record and the playoffs in sight. They will have another chance to improve their chances of winning the NFC North division against the Washington Redskins, who have been a pretty poor football team all season long. It should be a win, but nothing in the NFL is a guarantee.

Aaron Rodgers and company were able to defeat the New York Giants by a final score of 31-13 last week. The offense looked good even on a snowy afternoon and they will be looking to have another big performance against a Redskins' defense that has quite a few flaws.

Defensively, the Packers had a much better outing against New York than they have had in other recent weeks. Mike Pettine and the defense have had a roller coaster season and need to figure things out. Washington has struggled offensively this season and it gives the Packers a favorable matchup.

All of that being said, let's dive in and take a look at two major X-Factors for the Packers this week against the Redskins.

Preston Smith, Linebacker

Green Bay will be looking to send a lot of pressure at Redskins' rookie quarterback Dwayne Haskins. Going up against his former team, Preston Smith will be a major X-Factor for the Packers. He has put up a huge season and is hoping to give his numbers yet another boost in a revenge game.

In the 12 games he has played this season, Smith has racked up 45 total tackles to go along with 10.5 sacks, a forced fumble, an interception, and three defended passes. Those numbers show just how big of an impact he has had for his new team. Getting to Haskins will be a major key for Green Bay and Smith will get the job done.

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GM Brian Gutekunst in the middle, Cooper DeJean, Kiran Amegadjie, Junior Colson around him, and Green Bay Packers wallpaper in the background

Enzo Flojo ·

The Entire Offensive Line

One of the biggest keys this season to the Packers' success has been the play of the offensive line. When you have a quarterback like Rodgers, you have to keep him on his feet. Washington can get to the quarterback and the Packers will need to make sure that they don't accomplish their goal.

If the offensive line can give Rodgers time, he is going to destroy the Redskins' secondary. The Packers have had an improved offensive line this season and it's time for them to show that improvement again.