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TNF Preview: Two NFC powerhouses set for action

Week 1 of the NFL regular season has come and gone with more than a few surprises across the league. From Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills mounting a thrilling comeback against the Baltimore Ravens to the Minnesota Vikings and J.J. McCarthy leading a comeback of their own against the Chicago Bears, it’s been exciting. We even got to see a player ejected in the very first game before playing a snap on defense for spitting on Dak Prescott. It’s been a wild week, and we’re hoping Week 2 of the regular season gives fans some more incredible moments. Maybe just a bit less spit.

The Green Bay Packers and Washington Commanders kick off the fun in the second week of the NFL season with a highly anticipated matchup between two NFC powerhouses. Jayden Daniels and the Commanders are coming off a divisional victory against the New York Giants.

At the same time, the Packers stunned the Detroit Lions and are also looking to build on their impressive start to the year. Let’s take a look at the upcoming matchup between the NFL’s youngest team (Packers) against the league’s oldest (Commanders).

Washington Commanders have the blueprint

A to Z Sports writer Josh Taylor, who covers the Commanders, broke down a game-deciding factor that Washington should lean on in the contest. He didn’t waste time giving the Packers their flowers, though. Taylor emphasized that the Commanders need to lean on the run game, but it won’t be an easy feat, as Green Bay has a sneaky good run defense:

“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 home run 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 yards 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 Commanders have to dictate the pace and tone of the game by establishing the ground 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.” —Josh Taylor

Packers will look to shut down Daniels and his offense

With the recent addition of Micah Parsons, Green Bay’s defense has impressed through one week. Pair that with Daniels and the Commanders’ offense struggling early to get the rust off, and it’ll be an interesting matchup. Wendell Ferreira from A to Z Sports worked with Taylor on some big questions heading into the contest, and how the Packers can capitalize.

The key to the game — blitzing Jayden Daniels:

“Jayden Daniels was excellent against the pressure last season, but the Giants tested him anyways, and it paid off. Daniels went three for nine for 29 yards against the Giants’ blitz, and he recorded his lowest single-game passer rating against the blitz with a 43.3 rating. Micah Parsons and Rashan Gary should be happy to hear that. This should improve though as the offense settles in more. Thursday might be too soon for that to happen though.”

Getting to the quarterback will be paramount for the Packers, but they just signed a $180 million man who was brought in to do just that. Parsons fully understands his role on the defense and why the team brought him in. After the Week 1 victory, Parsons had a message for the rest of the season:

“A guy who is now the highest-paid player, you’ve got to win the room,” he said. “You’ve got to earn guys’ respect not because of your pockets, but because of what you acquire on the field.”

Jordan Love and Jayden Daniels through Week 1

With the two teams set to face off, let’s take a look at how both teams’ signal-callers have performed in their first contest of the 2025 regular season.

For Daniels, he finished his day going 19 for 30 with 233 yards and a touchdown while being sacked three times. He was dangerous with his feet, adding 11 carries for 68 yards. His top target in the contest was Deebo Samuel, who reminded the league exactly who he is. Samuel finished the contest with seven catches for 77 yards.

And then there’s Jordan Love, who finished his day against the Lions going 16 of 22 for 188 yards and two touchdowns while not being sacked once. While he wasn’t as dangerous on the ground as Daniels, he had three carries for four yards. Love’s top target in the contest was Jayden Reed, who finished his day with three catches for 45 yards and a touchdown. However, it was Romeo Doubs who led the team in receiving yards after hauling in two catches for 68 yards.

Taking a look at the box score, the Commanders’ running game really stood out. As a team, they had 32 carries for 220 yards and two touchdowns while averaging nearly seven yards per carry. Despite only having seven fewer carries for the Packers, they finished with 25 carries for 78 yards and one touchdown.

It’ll be interesting to see how it all plays out, and we won’t have to wait long. The two NFC powerhouses are set for action on Thursday Night Football, and the world will be watching.

Football is back, and what a beautiful thing that is.

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