The Green Bay Packers (1-0) and Washington Commanders (1-0) will kick off Week 2 in the NFL with a primetime showdown between NFC contenders on “Thursday Night Football” from Lambeau Field. The Packers raced out of the gates in Week 1, crushing the visiting Detroit Lions in an impressive season-opening performance. The Commanders also had no trouble vanquishing a division rival, beating the New York Giants 21-6 on Sunday.
Which NFC playoff team from a year ago will start the 2025 season with a sparkling 2-0 record?
Here’s a closer look at the Commanders entering Week 2:
Last season/last week
The Commanders finished 12-5, scored the fifth most points in football and won two playoff games in advancing to the NFC title game during Dan Quinn’s first season in charge in 2024. Rookie Jayden Daniels was a revelation, and a five-game win streak to end the season helped the Commanders leap the Packers in the playoff standings. The magical season came up just short of a Super Bowl appearance after losing 55-23 to the rival Eagles in the NFC Championship Game.
There was no hangover to start 2025. While not the prettiest of scorelines, the Commanders dominated the Giants and won by 15 points in Week 1. Washington never trailed, rushed for 220 yards and out-gained the Giants by over 200 total yards. Deebo Samuel’s touchdown run in the fourth quarter put the game away. Defensively, the Commanders sacked Russell Wilson twice, held the Giants to 3.7 yards per play and didn’t allow a touchdown on two red zone trips. The six points allowed were the fewest in the NFL in Week 1.
Newcomers
Newly acquired players helped the Commanders get off to a 1-0 start in 2025. On offense, rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt rushed for 82 yards and a touchdown, veteran receiver Deebo Samuel — formerly of the 49ers — produced 96 yards and a score on eight touches, and rookie right tackle Josh Conerly Jr. (first-round pick) protected the pocket well. Defensively, second-round pick Trey Amos is a starter at cornerback, former Patriot Deatrich Wise Jr. starts at defensive end and former Saint Will Harris starts at safety. The big free-agent addition was Javon Kinlaw, who helped replace veteran Jonathan Allen up front on defense. Kinlaw, Wise and Harris were among Washington’s best defensive players in the opener.
Quarterback play
The Commanders have one of the NFL’s most dynamic young quarterbacks. The NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2024, Jayden Daniels completed 69 percent of his passes, threw 25 touchdown passes and only nine interceptions, led four fourth-quarter comebacks, rushed for almost 900 yards and finished with a passer rating of 100.1. He somewhat quietly passed for 233 yards and rushed for 68 more while not turning the ball over in Week 1. Daniels is accurate from the pocket to all levels, willing and able to push the ball downfield and a dynamic athlete escaping pressure and in space. He possesses the “it” factor when it comes to playmaking instincts and clutch ability late in games. While slender, Daniels stayed healthy and played in all 17 games last season. He is a rising star in the league and one of the game’s most dangerous players.
Line of scrimmage
Along the offensive line, the Commanders start veteran Laremy Tunsil at left tackle, 2024 third-round pick Brandon Coleman at left guard, former Badger and Cowboy Tyler Biadasz at center, former Chief Nick Allegretti at right guard and first-round rookie Josh Conerly at right tackle. Tunsil remains a terrific player, but the Commanders lack a high-end player at the other four offensive line spots. Washington was charged with giving up seven pressures in the opener, and the offensive line had the 12th best pass-blocking efficiency, per PFF. The group is missing guard Sam Cosmi, who is on the PUP list.
The defensive front has difference-makers. Daron Payne is a handful inside, and Javon Kinlaw gives Payne a penetrating, disruptive sidekick. At edge rusher, Dorrace Armstrong had six pressures and a sack in the opener, while newcomer Deatrich Wise had four pressures and two QB hits. Veteran Von Miller is a designated rusher who had a QB hit in the opener. Other players to know are 2024 second-round pick Jer’Zhan Newton and former Bear Eddie Goldman. Per NFL Pro, Washington had pressure on 22 of 45 dropbacks in Week 1. The Commanders present a good test for the Packers offensive line in Week 2.
Turnovers
Jayden Daniels threw only nine interceptions and didn’t lose a fumble as a rookie, a remarkable achievement considering he threw 480 passes and ran the ball 148 times. His turnover worthy play percentage was just 1.7 in 2024, ranking second best among quarterbacks. Getting him to make a mistake will be difficult. In Week 1, the Commanders didn’t have a turnover.
Avoiding a giveaway might be less of a challenge for the Packers. Washington only had 17 takeaways last season and didn’t record one in the opener (although an interception was negated by penalty). The Commanders intercepted only seven passes in the regular season in 2024.
During the postseason last year, the Commanders won the turnover battle 6-0 in wins over the Buccaneers and Lions but then lost the turnover battle 4-0 to the Eagles.
Injury situation
Considering the quick turnaround and lack of recovery time, injuries become an even bigger factor during short weeks. The Commanders listed seven players on the first injury report on Monday, but punter Tress Way (back) was the only estimated DNP, and only two players were estimated as limited (running back Austin Ekeler, receiver Noah Brown). Dan Quinn’s team is in good shape coming out of Week 1. The Commanders are without starting guard Sam Cosmi, who is on the PUP list to start the season.
Players to know
RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt: The rookie had a 6-yard touchdown run and a 42-yard scamper in his NFL debut. He is fast and decisive. The Commanders spread out carries among several players, but Croskey-Merritt looks like the top option.
LB Bobby Wagner: The veteran linebacker is still a rock solid player. He made 10 tackles without a miss and had four stops against the run in the opener. His battle against Josh Jacobs will be one to watch.
WR Terry McLaurin: He missed most of training camp while negotiating a new contract, but the veteran receiver is a consistent playmaker in the passing game. He comes into 2025 with five straight 1,000-yard seasons, and he caught 13 scores in 2024.
TE Zach Ertz: The former Eagle scored the Commanders’ first touchdown of the season in Week 1. While no longer dynamic at age 34, Ertz caught 66 passes and was a reliable target for Jayden Daniels as a first-year Commander in 2024.
DL Javon Kinlaw: The 2020 first-round pick is getting a chance to restart his career in Washington. So far, so good. Kinlaw had two quarterback hits and three runs stops in Week 1.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers vs. Commanders: 7 things to know about Green Bay’s Week 2 opponent
Reporting by Zach Kruse, Packers Wire / Packers Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
