Playing on short rest, the Green Bay Packers cooked up more of the same dominance in Week 2 against Washington. The passing game got off to a hot start before Matt LaFleur dialed it back with the game in firm grasp. Jordan Love finished 19 of 31 for 292 yards and two touchdowns.
One of those scores, and by far the most spectacular night of any Packer on offense, went to tight end Tucker Kraft.
Kraft carves up Commanders defense as Packers dominate again
Aptly named “human monster truck“, Kraft bulldozed his way to 124 yards on six receptions, the first 100-yard game in his three-year career. A big chunk of that yardage came on a 57-yard rumble that set up the first score of the game, a touchdown pass to Romeo Doubs.
Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft (85) is tackled by Miami Dolphins linebacker Tyrel Dodson (11) after a short reception during the second quarter of their game Thursday, November 28, 2024 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Fittingly, Kraft later reached the end zone himself on the Packers’ back-breaking blow, an eight-yard connection that put them up 24-10 with nine minutes to go.
Last season as a sophomore, Kraft got close to the century-mark threshold with 88 yards and two TDS in a win over the Rams. After an unremarkable Week 1 – 2 catches, 16 yards, a TD – he exploded against a vulnerable Commanders defense. Kraft used his 6-foot-5, 259-pound frame to bully the Washington secondary. On one play, he not only drew a holding penalty against an undersized DB, he also hauled in the reception.
Although Kraft stole the show, Love targeted seven different receivers in the game. Rookie Matthew Golden almost came down with a deep ball, but it was slightly thrown and fell just beyond his fingertips.
Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft (85) makes a reception for a first down during the second quarter of their game against the New Orleans Saints Monday, December 23, 2024 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
No one would have known it, but the Packers played most of the game without their preseason WR1. During the very first drive, Jayden Reed went down hard after hauling in a penalty-nullified touchdown catch on the right side of the end zone. He got up nursing his shoulder and was later ruled out of the game.
Kraft’s big night was a strong pick-me-up performance, but Reed’s injury will put something of a damper on postgame coverage. Indeed, Matt LaFleur quickly confirmed the worst postgame, saying that Reed broke his collarbone on the play and will miss a substantial portion of the season.
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