The Green Bay Packers defense played another dominant game as the Packers downed the Washington Commanders 27-18. Jordan Love threw for 292 yards and two touchdowns passes while Tucker Kraft caught six passes for 124 yards and a score. The Packers are now 2-0 on the season while the Commanders dropped to 1-1. Here are 10 things we learned from the Packers 27-18 win over the Commanders in Week 2:
Ten Things We Learned from the Packers 27-18 Win Over the Commanders, Number One: Long Drives Set the Tone
The Packers orchestrated two long scoring drives in the first half that set the tone for the offense. On their second possession, Green Bay went 96 yards on seven plays that ended with a five-yard touchdown pass to Romeo Doubs.
In the second quarter, the Packers scored on a 10-play, 92-yard drive that gave them a 14-0 lead.
When you move the ball downfield like that, you take control of the game and demoralize the opposing defense. The Packers took control and never let go.
Number Two: The Pass Rush Had a Big Impact
The Green Bay defense put pressure on Jayden Daniels throughout the game and prevented the Commanders from effectively throwing the ball downfield.
Micah Parsons was credited with eight pressures in this game. His presence influenced the Washington offense throughout. Washington just didn’t have any answers for the Packers pass rush. Green Bay recorded four sacks, but they disrupted the pocket all game.
As a team, the Packers defense was credited with 12 quarterback hits including three by Parsons and two each by Edgerrin Cooper and Devonte Wyatt.
Washington’s offense completed just one pass of 20 or more yards all game because they just didn’t have enough time to set up and get the ball deep.
Ten Things We Learned from the Packers 27-18 Win Over the Commanders, Number Three: Tucker Kraft Stepped Up
Kraft finished the game with six catches for 124 yards and a touchdown. It was the first 100-yard game of his NFL career.
He made a 57-yard catch that was the key to the Packers first touchdown drive. Kraft remains difficult to tackle one-on-one and gains lots of yards after the catch.
The big tight end has developed into a great weapon for the Green Bay offense who Love can rely on. He also helped chip some pass rushers when a rookie offensive lineman struggled.
Kraft continues to play well and appears ready to become a perennial Pro Bowler.
Number Four: Big Game for Keisean Nixon
Keisean Nixon enjoyed a fine game. He broke up five passes with many coming on key third or fourth down plays.
Obviously, Nixon and the secondary benefit from the Packers strong pass rush, but Keisean made so many plays in key situations in this game to lead the secondary.
Through two games, the worries about the Green Bay secondary seem to be overblown as Nixon and Carrington Valentine have done a really good job thus far in coverage.
Ten Things We Learned from the Packers 27-18 Win Over the Commanders, Number Five: Special Teams Struggled
No game can be perfect, right? The special teams units continued to be inconsistent. The Packers committed too many penalties on returns. In coverage, they allowed a 24-yard punt return and a 50-yard kick return in this game.
Kicker Brandon McManus also missed a field goal from 48 yards out on the final play of the half when his kick hit the left upright.
Rich Bisaccia has to clean up the sloppy special teams play going forward before it costs the team some potential wins.
Number Six: Great Play Calling by LaFleur on a Key TD Drive
The Commanders scored early in the fourth quarter to pull to within 17-10. Suddenly, the Packers lead no longer looked secure and the offense had struggled in the third quarter.
Head coach Matt LaFleur saved some trick plays and different looks for just this occasion. The team responded with a nine-play, 65-yard drive to extend their lead back to two touchdowns.
LaFleur opened the drive with another short pass that took advantage of Marshon Lattimore who struggled in coverage most of the day. Then he utilized rookie Savion Williams out of the wild cat formation. Love lined up outside as a receiver. That play gained 16 yards. Then, on the next play, first-round pick Matthew Golden gained nine yards on an end around.
The play calling kept the Commanders defense off balance and helped the Packers score a critical touchdown to Kraft.
That drive took the momentum out of the Commanders’ sails. LaFleur waited for the right time to utilize some of these plays, and it paid off.
Ten Things We Learned from the Packers 27-18 Win Over the Commanders, Number Seven: Daniels Running Was Contained
Daniels remains one of the game’s top running quarterbacks, but the Green Bay defense contained him all night.
Daniels gained almost 900 yards rushing last season, but against the Packers, he ran eight times for 17 yards.
The defense stayed in zone coverage almost all game and did a good job of keeping in their lanes and watching the quarterback. It worked to contain Daniels.
In fact, the Green Bay defense held the Commanders to just 51 yards on 19 carries, an average of just 2.7-yards per rush. Their longest run in this game was just eight yards and that was by Daniels.
This is the second week in a row the Green Bay run defense shut down a good running team. When you combine that with a strong pass rush, you have the makings of an elite defense.
Number Eight: Belton Struggled Early
In a surprise move, second-round pick Anthony Belton got the start at right tackle in place of the injured Zach Tom. Belton got off to a rough start in the game. His blatant holding penalty wiped out a touchdown pass to Jayden Reed and then he gave up a sack.
LaFleur replaced him temporarily with Darian Kinnard before allowing Belton back into the game. Later on, Belton stabilized his game and played better, although hardly well.
No doubt Belton has talent and potential, but he has a lot of work to do before he’s ready to start in the NFL. The Packers hope Tom will be ready to return after the mini bye.
Ten Things We Learned from the Packers 27-18 Win Over the Commanders, Number Nine: This Team Can Be Better
The Packers played well in each of their first two games but there are still some things the team can do better.
Love still needs to improve his accuracy on deep passes. He came close on three of four opportunities but couldn’t quite connect. If he hits on one or two of those, the game would have been over sooner. The two he did connect on were great, the 57-yarder down the seam to Kraft and a 37-yard pass that Malik Heath pulled in and somehow managed to keep his feet in bounds.
The team also needs to clean up penalties. For the game, the Packers committed 10 penalties for 77 yards. Again, mistakes like this can be costly, but the Pack managed to overcome them and win again against Washington.
The Packers made another key mistake when Kingsley Enagbare ran onto the field thinking the Packers were punting on fourth down on their opening drive. As a result, the officials wouldn’t let the Pack go up tempo and the pass attempt fell incomplete. These are things that need to be cleaned up.
Number 10: Great Start, Enjoy the Mini-Bye
The Packers have started the season with two wins over two quality opponents. They defeated the Lions, who had the best record in the NFC last year and won the NFC North, and then beat the Commanders who went to the NFC title game a year ago.
Now, the Packers have a mini bye to try to get healthy and prepare for Week 3 in Cleveland. The team has demonstrated it can be dominant defensively and can do enough offensively through the air and on the ground.
This team has looked the part through two games and can play even better. It’s been a great start to the 2025 season for the Pack.
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