After a thrilling Week 1 performance against Detroit, the Green Bay Packers are now on a short week and have another NFC juggernaut to face in the Washington Commanders. Thursday Night Football will feature two great quarterbacks in Jordan Love and Jayden Daniels as well as two of the better defenses in the NFL.
Key #1: Packers Banged-Up Offensive Line Faces Tough Washington Pass Rush
The Washington Commanders generated a total of 26 pressures on New York Giants QB Russell Wilson last Sunday. Defensive end Dorance Armstrong is tied for first in the league in pressures forced with 9, while rookie defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton had 7 pressures.
The Green Bay Packers offensive line could be without multiple starters on Thursday. Zach Tom was taken out of the game following a violent hit from Aiden Hutchinson, while free agent acquisition Aaron Banks left the contest following an ankle injury. Darian Kinnard and Jordan Morgan took over to replace the two starters. Morgan, who had been alternating with Sean Rhyan at the right guard position prior to the injury to Banks, played left guard in the final quarter of the game.
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There’s definitely reason for optimism for Commanders fans hoping that they can dominate in the trenches, but there’s positives for the Packers fans as well. After all, quarterback Jordan Love was excellent against the blitz in Sunday’s win.
In Week 1, the Lions blitzed Jordan Love on nine occasions, but failed to get home for even a single sack. Instead, Love and the Packers excelled against the blitz. Washington will face the task of not only generating pressure, but making it count against a strong Packers offense.
Against the blitz, Jordan Love went 8/9 for 128 yards, 1 TD and 5 first downs.
That’s a 155.8 passer rating.
— Peter Bukowski (@Peter_Bukowski) September 8, 2025
Key #2: Can Green Bay Packers Defensive Line Be Disruptive?
On the other side, the Commanders gave up three sacks, two of which were to Brian Burns. Giants rookie Abdul Carter combined with Kayvon Thibodeaux for the other sack. The Packers will of course be deploying their new star Micah Parsons, who had one sack in his debut for Green Bay.
Mike Roemer / AP
More importantly, Parsons is going to have plenty of help getting to the quarterback as he still battles a back issue. Devonte Wyatt, Lukas Van Ness, and Rashan Gary all generated multiple pressures on Lions QB Jared Goff and contributed to tallying 4 sacks in Sunday’s win.
Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
Almost more important on Thursday will be the run defense. Led by Jayden Daniels, the Commanders have a strong running game made even more potent by the QB run ability. The team averaged almost 7 yards per carry against New York, with Daniels rushing for 68 yards and rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt leading the team with 82 yards on 10 carries.
The Packers are coming off a truly impressive display against the run, holding a Detroit team that averaged almost 150 rushing yards per game last season to just 46 on the ground on Sunday afternoon. Jeff Hafley’s unit will need another strong display on Thursday to ensure a win.
Key #3: Can Jordan Love Keep Pushing the Ball Down the Field?
Jordan Love and the Packers only had the ball for 47 plays that totaled just over 24 minutes, but they made the most of their opportunities to attack downfield. Matt LaFleur’s offense was generating explosive plays throughout the game, with Romeo Doubs, Tucker Kraft, and Jayden Reed all having catches of over 15 yards.
Jordan Love went 16/22 with an average depth of target of 11.5.
That’s bonkers. They pushed the ball consistently. This was not a dink-and-dunk performance.
Honorable QB play.
— Peter Bukowski (@Peter_Bukowski) September 8, 2025
The Commanders secondary is one of their strongest units on their team. Dan Quinn’s defense limited a subpar Giants offense to very few explosive plays. Against a Packers team with weapons all over the field, players like Marshon Lattimore, Trey Amos, and Mike Sainristil will need to have another strong outing.
One of the weaker spots on the Washington secondary is Noah Igbinoghene. The former Miami Dolphins corner allowed the most yards against New York. The Packers could look to attack him with speedy options like Reed or Matthew Golden, who showed a lot of positive signs in his NFL debut.
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