The Green Bay Packers started their 2025 campaign strong on Sunday, and now face another test on short rest Thursday.
Green Bay beat the Detroit Lions 27-13 at Lambeau Field. Defensive lineman Micah Parsons had his first sack in a green-and-gold uniform, and the Packers dispatched the back-to-back NFC North Division winners with relative ease. Now they’ll face the Washington Commanders in a battle of teams that won their respective home openers.
The Commanders (1-0) looked like the team that reached the NFC Championship game a season ago with a 21-6 home victory over the New York Giants on Sunday in Landover, Maryland.
Here are three things to know about the Commanders ahead of Thursday’s contest.
Washington commands respect against New York
The Commanders led the whole way against the Giants, winning with little resistance from their NFC East foes.
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Second-year quarterback Jayden Daniels — the reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year — went 19 of 30 with 233 yards passing and a touchdown. The Commanders also rushed 220 total yards. Jacory Croskey-Merritt led the way with 82 yards and a score. Daniels added 68 yards rushing.
Defensively, the Commanders had almost no trouble containing New York. Quarterback Russell Wilson, in his first game with his new team, completed 17 of 37 passing attempts for 168 yards, and the Giants accumulated just 74 yards rushing to complement him.
Washington has won three consecutive games against the Giants, dating back to last season.
Commanders’ offense boasts plenty of weapons
It was little surprise to see a big scoring game out of Washington Sunday.
The Commanders were one of the top rushing offenses in the NFL last season. They accumulated 2,619 yards rushing, good for the third-best total in the NFL, according to Pro Football Reference. The team lost Brian Robinson Jr. — who led Washington’s running back group with 799 yards — to the San Francisco 49ers in the offseason. But Daniels was the team’s leading rusher with 891 yards on the ground. It was the second-most of any quarterback in the NFL behind Lamar Jackson, according to Pro Football Reference.
Daniels led a potent passing attack with 3,568 yards and 25 touchdowns through the air. His leading receiver was Terry McLaurin, who finished last year with 1,096 yards receiving. He had just two catches for 27 yards in the opener, though new acquisition Deebo Samuel stepped up with seven receptions for 77 yards. Tight End Zach Ertz had Sunday’s lone touchdown reception.
Defense average, but presents polar opposites
The Giants didn’t score a touchdown, settling for a pair of field goals on Sunday.
Last year the Commanders were thoroughly mediocre defensively. They were one of the top teams against the pass, allowing a mere 3,221 yards through the air — third-least according to Pro Football Reference — but offered little resistance against the run. Washington’s opponents totaled 2,337 yards rushing, which was the third-most of any team in the NFL.
Washington also lost a handful of its playmakers from a year ago this offseason. Linebacker Bobby Wagner led the team with 132 tackles last season, and had a squad-best 10 against the Giants Sunday. But Dante Fowler Jr., who led the Commanders with 14 tackles for loss, left for the Dallas Cowboys, and safety Jeremy Chinn — who totaled 117 tackles last season — is now with the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Commanders notched seven tackles for loss and a pair of sacks against New York.
Photos: Packers open season with home contest against Detroit
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Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed catches a 17-yard touchdown pass as Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold defends during the first half Sunday in Green Bay. Matt Ludtke, Associated Press
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Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons, right, rushes during a play against the Detroit Lions on Sunday in Green Bay. Jeffrey Phelps, Associated Press
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Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft catches a touchdown pass against the Detroit Lions on Sunday in Green Bay. Jeffrey Phelps, Associated Press
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Detroit Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown makes a sideline catch against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday in Green Bay. Jeffrey Phelps, Associated Press
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Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs catches a pass against the Detroit Lions on Sunday in Green Bay. Jeffrey Phelps, Associated Press
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Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons rushes during a play against the Detroit Lions on Sunday in Green Bay. Jeffrey Phelps, Associated Press
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Green Bay Packers defensive players pose after a Evan Williams (33) interception against the Detroit Lions during the first half on Sunday in Green Bay. Mike Roemer, Associated Press
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Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs is brought down by Green Bay Packers safety Xavier McKinney, left, and linebacker Edgerrin Cooper during the second half on Sunday in Green Bay. Morry Gash, Associated Press
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Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons rushes against Detroit Lions offensive tackle Penei Sewell during the second half on Sunday in Green Bay. Morry Gash, Associated Press
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Green Bay Packers defensive end Rashan Gary tackles Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff, pulling him out of the end zone, during the second half on Sunday in Green Bay. Mike Roemer, Associated Press
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Detroit Lions cornerback D.J. Reed breaks up a pass intended for Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed during the second half on Sunday in Green Bay. Matt Ludtke, Associated Press
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Green Bay Packers' Jayden Reed runs past Detroit Lions' Jacob Saylors during the second half on Sunday in Green Bay. Mike Roemer, Associated Press
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Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs stiff arms Detroit Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes during the second half on Sunday in Green Bay. Matt Ludtke, Associated Press
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Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love runs the ball against the Detroit Lions during the second half on Sunday in Green Bay. Mike Roemer, Associated Press
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Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs runs for a 3-yard touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the second half on Sunday in Green Bay. Mike Roemer, Associated Press
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Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons sacks Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff during the second half on Sunday in Green Bay. Mike Roemer, Associated Press
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Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons celebrates sacking Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff, rear, during the second half on Sunday in Green Bay. Mike Roemer, Associated Press
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Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff throws against the Green Bay Packers during the second half on Sunday in Green Bay. Mike Roemer, Associated Press
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Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa catches a 13-yard touchdown pass as Green Bay Packers cornerback Carrington Valentine defends during the second half on Sunday in Green Bay. Matt Ludtke, Associated Press
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Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons, left, and his teammates celebrate his sack of Lions quarterback Jared Goff, not pictured, on Sunday in Green Bay. Jeffrey Phelps, Associated Press
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Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons celebrates his sack on Sunday in Green Bay. Jeffrey Phelps, Associated Press
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Jordan Love celebrates a touchdown against the Detroit Lions on Sunday in Green Bay. Jeffrey Phelps, Associated Press
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Green Bay Packers running back Chris Brooks runs against the Detroit Lions on Sunday in Green Bay. Jeffrey Phelps, Associated Press
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Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur looks on from the sidelines on Sunday in Green Bay. Jeffrey Phelps, Associated Press
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Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell consoles quarterback Jared Goff on Sunday in Green Bay. Jeffrey Phelps, Associated Press
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Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs runs against the Detroit Lions on Sunday in Green Bay. Jeffrey Phelps, Associated Press
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