Micah Parsons puts absurd production on display with dominating Packers performance that proves his ceiling is truly unmatched
Green Bay is 2-0 after two home games.
The Green Bay Packers beat the Washington Commanders 27-18 on ‘Thursday Night Football,’ and it certainly feels like it should be much more. With a dominating performance at Lambeau Field, the Packers won against another NFC contender and kept proving they are for real, improving to 2-0. But it was much closer than it could have been.
Nothing was more impressive than the defensive performance. Even against an up and coming quarterback in Jayden Daniels, the unit led by Micah Parsons gave the opposition no shot.
Now, the Packers get a much-needed mini-bye before facing the Cleveland Browns in ten days for their first road game of the regular season.
Front seven power
Upfront, the Packers completely dominated the first half. The Commanders generated only 82 total yards before halftime. Micah Parsons, as you could expect, is a force of nature. Whenever he’s on the field, he’s making an impact. Pressures, energy, grabbing the attention of the offensive line.
But it’s not only Parsons. Lukas Van Ness has been excellent against the run, and the Packers generated significant pressure from the interior with Devonte Wyatt.
The thing about the quality of this defense is that it doesn’t depend on turnovers to be efficient. If last year’s defense was too reliant on interceptions to get off the field, this year’s version is much more sustainable—Jayden Daniels didn’t make many mistakes, but his life was miserable for most of the game. He had to get rid of the ball quickly, and the defenders ran to the ball every single time to finish the play. The Commanders’ offense didn’t reach 100 total yards until late in the third quarter.
Less than three full quarters in, Parsons had already been credited with six pressures by PFF—he finished the game with eight, including one on the very last offensive play of the Commanders. It’s an insane level of impact on every play he’s on the field. Not only because of what he does, but how easier everything gets for everyone around him. That production is the best driver for the secondary as well—Keisean Nixon had five pass breakups during the game, including one on fourth down late in the game.
Leadership and consistency
The Packers have had some run-blocking issues to start the season, but it’s hard to find a more positive influence than Josh Jacobs. And hey, he’s also an amazing football player.
Jacobs has become the fourth player since 2000 with a rushing touchdown in 11 consecutive games, including the playoffs, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson (12 straight in 2004), Jonathan Taylor (11 in 2021), and Priest Holmes (11 in 2002).
Without much room to run, the Packers had to be more reliant on the pass. And despite some deep ball inaccuracies, quarterback Jordan Love delivered one of the most prolific passing performances of his career—he had 214 passing yards just in the first half, a career high. When it became a one-score game late in the fourth quarter, Love and Jacobs, with the help of a masterful job from head coach Matt LaFleur, engineered an amazing drive to show that the game was truly over.
Special teams issues (still)
The offense was good, the defense was good. The special teams were not. Penalties, more penalties, big returns given up, and Rich Bisaccia’s unit simply couldn’t help the rest of the team.
While Matt Gay missed a 58-yard field goal in the second quarter, Brandon McManus also missed from 48 on the last play of the half. The game was 14-3 back from halftime, and Deebo Samuel immediately got a big kickoff return. Those could have been game-changing plays, even with the rest of the team operating at a high level. Gladfully for the Packers, the defense held up and Commanders kicker Matt Gay wasn’t on his best night.
The normal Brandon McManus would appear late in the game to convert a 56-yard field goal. A good silver lining for a suboptimal performance from the so-called ‘we-fense.’