(Photo: Amazon.com)
NFC Game Of The Week
Washington Commanders at Green Bay Packers
Commanders: (1-0)
If you’re one of those people who said, “What they did last year was nice, but I need to see them do it again,” I can’t disagree with you. Trust me, they were one of the feel-good stories of the 2024 season, with Dan Quinn emerging as a Coach of the Year candidate and Jayden Daniels bursting onto the scene as a rookie quarterback, winning Offensive Rookie of the Year — an award he had essentially wrapped up by December. This offseason, they acquired Deebo Samuel from the San Francisco 49ers, but the most important move they made was extending Terry McLaurin. He remains the most vital player to this offense — the No. 1 receiving target and the one guy you can always count on to make a play. Now, let’s shift to their game this past Sunday against the New York Giants. The Commanders moved the ball well, racking up 432 total yards of offense, but only managed 21 points. On paper, it looks like they dominated, but numbers only tell one side of the story. One thing I did like was their control of the clock — they dominated time of possession and ran the football 32 times for 220 yards and two touchdowns. One thing I don’t particularly care for in sports today is how quickly fans crown players in the moment. Many have already labeled Jayden Daniels a top-five quarterback. I get it — opinions are opinions — but I want to see if he can replicate last season’s success, especially now that there’s more film on him. Tonight, Washington heads to the legendary Lambeau Field.
Packers: (1-0)
What they did on Sunday was absolutely beautiful. Honestly, it was the most complete game I’ve seen them play in years — which says a lot, because historically, one side of the ball has always outshined the other. That imbalance is what’s kept them from making deep playoff runs. Before their Week 1 game against the Lions, I said that for them to make noise in the NFC, the offense had to lean more on Josh Jacobs. I already liked every other aspect of this team — a solid offensive line, an improved defensive line (especially against the run), a strong linebacker group, and a secondary that holds its own. Even the receiving corps looks good. When Jordan Love isn’t forcing things, he’s a true threat from the pocket. The Micah Parsons acquisition gave me Reggie White and Charles Woodson vibes — and his impact was immediate. When one guy consistently gets home to the quarterback, it inspires the rest of the front seven, and that’s exactly what we saw. Last year, the Packers struggled to pressure the QB, but that should change now with Parsons in the mix. That win over Detroit was dominant, and if they continue playing like that, watch out. They open Week 2 tonight against the Commanders.
Commanders X-Factor: Jacory Croskey-Merritt
What a game he had on Sunday against the Giants. Every time they gave him the football, something good happened. He showcased his potential with several explosive runs, including a 42-yard touchdown. He could be a key piece for this offense going forward. If he can be effective against Green Bay’s tough run defense, it will take a lot of pressure off Jayden Daniels.
Packers X-Factor: Devonte Wyatt
With Kenny Clark gone, Wyatt is now the anchor in the middle of that defensive line. He was a force for Kirby Smart at Georgia and will be relied upon even more this season. Devonte is powerful at the point of attack, can draw double teams, and create opportunities for his teammates. He’s also capable of stuffing the stat sheet with a sack or two, multiple tackles, and QB pressures. Look for him to wreak havoc tonight.
Final Thoughts:
This is a great way to kick off another week of NFL football — and it marks the first career meeting between Jayden Daniels and Jordan Love. I was in awe of what Green Bay’s defense did to Detroit on Sunday. They were physical at every level, swarmed to the ball, and got home to Jared Goff. Tonight, they’ll have a different kind of challenge in Jayden Daniels — a QB with elite athleticism who can evade pressure and extend plays. It’s critical for the Packers to rush with discipline, contain his legs, and close with speed. This could also be a Josh Jacobs game — grinding down Washington’s defensive front and controlling the tempo. As for the Commanders — don’t let Micah Parsons wreck the game. While it may be impossible to make him a complete non-factor, they must mitigate his impact as much as possible. Creating turnovers will also be key. Last season, when Washington forced a takeaway, they went 5-2 in those games. They’ve emphasized takeaways under Dan Quinn, and that needs to show tonight. Finally, can the Commanders maintain their defensive momentum from Week 1? Sure, the Giants aren’t a powerhouse, but I saw a defense that looked noticeably improved. That same energy will be needed tonight against the Packers. I see this game going down to the wire, but I like Green Bay at home.
