The Green Bay Packers are on top in the NFC North at the quarter pole, though they have yet to look like the Super Bowl contender that many predicted.
The Packers will be attempting to put it all together when they visit the Washington Redskins on Sunday.
An offensive juggernaut last season behind quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay was expected to take another step forward in 2010 but has struggled to find an offensive rhythm thus far.
The loss of starting running back Ryan Grant in the season opener has put more pressure on Rodgers and the offensive line, which has not been up to the challenge.
The 3-1 record includes wins over two of the four teams in the NFL that have yet to earn a win - Buffalo and Detroit - plus a shaky victory in the opening week against a Philadelphia team that was forced to switch quarterbacks in the middle of the contest.
The one loss came at co-NFC North-leading Chicago on Sept. 27, when the offensive line problems manifested themselves in the form of three sacks and a slew of holding penalties. The Packers tied a franchise record with 18 total penalties in the contest.
Rodgers threw for three touchdowns last week against the lowly Lions but Green Bay was held scoreless in the second half and barely hung on for the 28-26 victory. Rodgers was critical of the offense after the game, specifically the formations that head coach Mike McCarthy used in the second half.
After throwing just seven interceptions against 30 touchdowns all of last season, Rodgers has five picks through four games in 2010, including two against the Lions last week.
The Pro Bowl quarterback threw just 17 passes against Detroit and suggested after the game that the Packers need to get back to the multiple-receiver sets that spread out defenses and led to success last season.
The Redskins (2-2) would be the perfect opponent to break out that strategy against, as they own the worst pass defense in the NFC. Washington, which is tied for the NFC East lead with two other teams, is allowing 305 yards per game through the air and opposing teams are taking advantage by throwing the ball nearly 45 times per contest.
Defense has been critical to the Redskins’ success so far this season, with the team allowing a total of 19 points in its two wins while surrendering a total of 60 in the two losses. Coach Mike Shanahan is in the process of rebuilding the defense, which allowed 243 passing yards in a 17-12 victory over the Eagles last week.
The victory was an emotional one for quarterback Donovan McNabb, who spent the first 11 years of his career in Philadelphia before being traded to Washington in the offseason. McNabb was just 8 of 19 for 125 yards, one touchdown and one interception against his former team and has only three touchdown passes for the Redskins this season.
The Redskins will make a switch at running back with Ryan Torain starting in place of Clinton Portis, who is expected to miss at least a month with a groin injury.