An important NFC matchup awaits Sunday at 1 p.m. ET when the Green Bay Packers visit the Washington Redskins. Green Bay has held steady as a 2.5-point favorite in the latest Packers vs. Redskins odds, and the over-under has dipped to 45 points from an initial offering of 47.5. Both clubs are looking for a win to help offset somewhat uneven starts to their seasons. Green Bay made a memorable comeback in Week 1 to beat Chicago, but squandered a late 13-point lead last week in an eventual 29-29 tie with Minnesota. Washington started the season with a dominant win over Arizona, but took a 21-9 home loss last week to Indianapolis as a six-point home favorite.

Before you make any Packers vs. Redskins picks, you need to hear what SportsLine's Mike Tierney has to say. Tierney is a national sportswriter whose work appears in the New York Times and Los Angeles Times, and he is also one of SportsLine's top handicappers. Tierney specializes in NFL analysis, and he is off to another hot start with his NFL selections for SportsLine, hitting nearly 60 percent of his picks so far this season. 

More importantly, he's looking to build on an unheard-of streak when it comes to games involving the Packers or Redskins. Tierney boasts an astounding 13-0 spread record on these teams, which includes a 9-0 mark on Washington.

Tierney built on this incredible record in Week 1 when he advised SportsLine members to take the underdog Bears (+7.5) against the Packers. The cover was never in doubt in the 24-23 defeat despite Chicago squandering a 20-point lead in the second half. 

Now, Tierney has his sights set on Redskins vs. Packers and locked in a strong spread pick.

Tierney knows the Packers are looking to build on an uneven but mostly positive start that has seen them post a 1-0-1 record. It could easily be 2-0 or 0-2, depending on perspective. Rodgers gave one of the most memorable performances of his career in Week 1 when he returned form injury to throw three second-half touchdowns passes and lead the biggest comeback in franchise history to beat Chicago. 

However, last week the roles were reversed and it was the Packers who couldn't make the most of a double-digit lead against the Vikings. They allowed Minnesota to score 22 fourth-quarter points and force overtime, eventually settling for a 29-29 tie. 

Rodgers and the Packers are far from a sure thing to cover the number against a Redskins club that has shown signs it is much better than most observers anticipated. 

Washington took in Kansas City castoff Alex Smith to replace Kirk Cousins, who left for Minnesota. So far, the move appears to have paid off, as the always-steady veteran has delivered strong performances in the first two games. He has completed 71 percent of his passes for 547 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. Smith was felled by several dropped passes and poor protection in the loss to the Colts, correctable mistakes against the Packers.

The Redskins also signed veteran Adrian Peterson to assist its injury-ravaged backfield. Peterson was a major factor in Week 1 with 96 yards, but the Colts held him to 20 yards on 11 carries last week. He will try to get back on track against a Green Bay defense that has allowed 207 rushing yards through its first two games. 

We can tell you Tierney is leaning over, but he has unearthed a critical x-factor that he knows will determine the spread outcome, and he's only sharing it at SportsLine. 

Who wins Packers-Redskins? And what critical factor determines the spread? Visit SportsLine now to see which side is a must-back Sunday, all from an accomplished analyst who is an incredible 13-0 on picks involving these teams.