The Green Bay Packers pushed their record to 2-0 on Thursday night, cruising past the Washington Commanders in a dominant home win. For the second straight week, they knocked off a playoff team from last season, with their defense dictating the game and showing signs it could develop into one of the most dominant units in franchise history.
The offense wasn’t as fortunate, as wide receiver Jayden Reed, already battling another injury, suffered a broken collarbone that will sideline him for an extended stretch.
Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
Head coach Matt LaFleur recently highlighted a silver lining in Reed’s string of injuries.
“Matt LaFleur says he does not expect Jayden Reed’s foot surgery, which he had in addition to repairing broken collarbone, to affect his return to the field this season: “I think it will actually help him in the long run.”” USA Today’s Ryan Wood wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
The Packers’ receiving corps gets a boost with young star Christian Watson expected to return soon after battling his own injury.
Matt LaFleur and the Packers stock rising
Throughout much of the offseason, many saw the Green Bay Packers as a playoff-caliber team in the NFC, but not much beyond that after their Wild Card thrashing by the eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles last year.
Green Bay’s bold move to land unsettled Dallas Cowboys star Micah Parsons just before the season dramatically altered the outlook, pushing the Packers straight into Super Bowl talks. Since then, they’ve backed it up with victories over the Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders, both of whom reached the divisional round a year ago.
Parsons’ arrival has unlocked Lukas Van Ness’ game, given linebacker Edgerrin Cooper the chance to deliver impact plays, and pushed Jeff Hafley’s defense to another level. If the Packers continue attacking quarterbacks and Parsons sustains his dominance, Green Bay’s defense could drive a championship push.
Now the Packers shift their focus to a more favorable matchup this weekend on the road against the Cleveland Browns, with kickoff set for 1:00 PM ET on Sunday in Cleveland.
