Tucker Kraft (Photo: Jacob Morley, 247Sports)
By Mark Eckel
When the NFL announced its 2025 schedule the first two games on the Green Bay Packers slate stood out.
The Packers would open with the defending NFC North champion Detroit Lions and turn around four days later and host the NFC finalists Washington Commanders.
It would be a tough start for a team that has been known to start the season a little slowly.
Well two games in and the Packers are 2-0 for the first time since 2020. Thursday night the Packers handled Washington, 27-18, behind a good passing attack and a defense that kept Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels in check.
If not for penalties that killed a couple of drives and extended others on defense it would have been an even easier win.
Despite playing with two backup offensive linemen, Jordan Love helped the Packers to an early 14-0 lead and finished 19-for-31 for 292 yards with two touchdowns. For the second straight game the offense did not commit a turnover or drop a pass.
Jeff Hafley's defense kept the dangerous Daniels to just 17 yards on seven scrambles. And he managed just 200 yards passing on 42 attempts. Washington's running game was held to a total of just 51 yards.
Here are the rest of the highlights and lowlights from the Packers first Thursday night win since they beat Arizona in 2021.
Offensive Hero: Love was good. But this goes to tight end Tucker Kraft who caught six passes for 124 yards and his second touchdown of the season.
Offensive Zero: When a team rolls for over 400 yards and puts together two 90-plus yard drives it's hard to find one. It will be interesting to see how backup tackle Anthony Belton grades out, but other than a holding penalty early, he appeared to hold his own.
Defensive Hero: The real hero might be Hafley, who called a great game and made Daniels look average. From a player standpoint defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt created havoc up front, got a sack and knocked down three passes. Cornerback Keisean Nixon broke up five passes and safety Javon Bullard might have had his best day as a pro.
Defensive Zero: It's nit-picking, but it wasn't the best game for always-reliable safety Evan Williams.
Play of the Game: On the second touchdown drive early in the second quarter, Malik Heath made a great catch and somehow managed to get both feet in bounds on a 37-yard completion. The play was originally ruled incomplete, but a challenge showed he got both feet in bounds.
Turning Point: Washington received the second-half kickoff down 14-3 and drove to a 3rd-and-3 at the Green Bay 24-yard line. Edgerrin Cooper sacked Daniels for a loss of 10 and on 4th-and-13 the Commanders tried and missed a 52-yard field goal attempt.
This and That: Josh Jacobs scored a touchdown for the 10th straight regular season game and 11th straight game counting playoffs. The record is 12 straight set by LaDanian Tomlinson in 2003. Jacobs finished with 84 yards rushing. … Besides Wyatt and Cooper, Rashan Gary, Micah Parsons and Karl Brooks all had sacks. … The Packers were called for nine penalties on the night, three on special teams. … Brandon McManus saw a 48-yard field goal attempt hit the goal post just before the end of the half, but came back and made a 56-yarder in the second half. … Daniel Whelan averaged 53.3 yards on four punts, the second week he was over 50.
Injuries: Wide receiver Jayden Reed suffered what looked like a serious shoulder injury in the first half and did not return.
Inactives: Injured cornerback Bo Melton (shoulder) was ruled out Wednesday. Tackle Zach Tom, guard Aaron Banks and safety Zayne Anderson, listed as questionable, were also out. Healthy inactives were tight end Ben Sims and rookie defensive lineman Warren Brinson. Defensive end Brenton Cox (groin) was placed on injured reserve earlier Thursday.
Up Next: The Packers get a mini bye and then travel to Cleveland to take on the Browns. The Packers have won their last four meetings against the Browns and the last three in Cleveland.