The Commanders have to lean on a game-deciding factor, but the Packers will make it a real challenge in must-see NFC matchup
The Commanders have to make a statement of their own against one of the best.
The Washington Commanders dominated the New York Giants on Sunday to kick the season off, but now comes the real test. The team has to travel on a short week as they prepare for the Green Bay Packers on Thursday Night Football.
The Packers started their own season strong by making a statement against their division rivals, the Detroit Lions. The Commanders’ passing game appeared to be a little rusty for the first game of the season, but the rushing offense stood out in a big way.
This week won’t be a walk in the park for the running game, however, as the Packers have one of the more underrated run defenses in the league and provide a real challenge.
Commanders finish as a top rushing attack
Jayden Daniels and the passing game may take a few weeks to get back to a well-oiled machine like we’re used to seeing, but the running game looks to be vastly improved compared to last season. Rookie Bill Croskey-Merritt made his official debut and showed his homerun ability on the 42-yard rush to put the game away, but also showed his efficiency throughout the game and led the team in rushing with 82 yards and a touchdown.
Croskey-Merritt wasn’t the only contributor on the ground, though, as Daniels himself put up his usual production with 68 yards. Deebo Samuel only had one carry, but he made the most of it with a 19-yard end-around for a touchdown after stretching for the pylon.
The Commanders finished the week with the second-most rushing yards in the league with 220, behind just the Baltimore Ravens, who have Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson. The rushing attack set the tone and picked up for a lacking passing game, but the Packers’ defense is a real challenge compared to the Giants.
The Packers made a statement
The Packers had one of the most anticipated debuts with Micah Parsons joining an already stout defense, and they didn’t disappoint against the Lions’ offense. There’s winning a game, and then there’s making a statement, and that’s what the Packers did. The Lions have the best RB duo in the league with Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, and they were a non-factor on Sunday.
The duo rushed 20 times for only 44 yards combined, which is beyond impressive, but it’s not even the craziest stat. The Packers’ defense was swarming, and a defender actually hit a Lions ball carrier behind the line of scrimmage on 16 of the 22 total carries.
This wasn’t just a strong performance by the Packers’ defense; it was a statement after trading defensive tackle Kenny Clark to the Cowboys in the package for Parsons. Their front four is stout with Devonte Wyatt and Karl Brooks in the interior, and they get plenty of help from their linebackers in the second level in Quay Walker and Edgerrin Cooper.
The Commanders have to dictate the pace and tone of the game by establishing the run game, and the Packers have a top rushing defense built to stop it. Daniels’ mobility and Croskey-Merritt’s big-play ability can be the x-factor that decides who wins this game.
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