GREEN BAY — The Washington Commanders may have cut the Packers' lead to one score early in the fourth quarter Thursday night, but Green Bay was in control of from start to finish.
The Packers jumped out to a 7-0 lead after their second possession and were up by 14 points halfway through the second quarter.
Polzin: Packers talking points in Green Bay’s 27-18 win over Washington
That two-score lead was maintained for much of the game, and even when the Commanders did score their lone touchdown, the Packers responded immediately with one of their own.
The Packers moved to 2-0 with the 27-18 win at Lambeau Field. He's a breakdown of the win.
Most Valuable Player: Tucker Kraft
People are also reading…
Tight end Tucker Kraft was a go-to target and big play threat for quarterback Jordan Love in a game where the Packers had to lean on the passing game.
Kraft led the team in receptions, catching six of the seven passes that came his way and totaled a career-high 124 yards receiving with a touchdown. That included a 57-yard reception down the seam and a 17-yard catch and run that put the Packers inside the 10-yard line and led to a score two plays later.
Polzin: How Jordan Love took on the role of co-star in the Micah Parsons Show
Kraft continued to be a capable run-blocker, and his versatility allowed coach Matt LaFleur to move him around pre-snap and task him with a variety of roles. A tight end who can fill numerous roles adds some unpredictability to an offense and can be a real stressor for defenses.
Least Valuable Player: Special team unit
Matthew Golden fielded a punt inside the 5-yard line that he should have let go. Keisean Nixon had two return attempts for 3 yards, while there was a holding penalty on one of his attempts.
The punt coverage unit surrendered a 24-yard return before halftime that put Washington near midfield with 2 minutes, 2 seconds left in the second quarter. Washington's Deebo Samuel then had a 50-yard kick return that put the Commanders in Green Bay territory.
Those plays flew a bit under the radar because the offense turned Golden's punt return miscue into a 96-yard scoring drive, while the two big returns by Washington ended in missed field goals.
Brandon McManus also missed a field goal.
How the team is trending: Packers answer the bell
Polzin: Why Wisconsin football is savoring a 'cool' opportunity to play at Alabama
The Packers opened the season against two NFC heavyweights in the Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders. They'll enter their mini bye week at 2-0.
While Green Bay struggled to beat the NFC's best a season ago, they now have the early season advantage against two of the conference's top teams. The defense has been smothering and the offense has been able to jump out to early leads, allowing the Packers to control each game.
Expectations were very high for the Packers coming into the season, and they so far have lived up to that hype.
Biggest strength: Packers' defense
This was another stifling performance from the Green Bay defense. Led by quarterback Jayden Daniels, this was a Washington offense that can hurt opponents both on the ground and through the air, but that unit could do neither steadily against Green Bay.
The coverage in the secondary was very sticky, with Daniels regularly having to get to his third or fourth reads before checking down the ball. The defensive line did well to keep Daniels in the pocket and got home often when his early reads weren't there.
Defensive coordinator Jeff Hafely brought pressure, utilized stunts up front and had heavy disguises in the secondary to muddy things for the quarterback.
Even with Washington scoring late in the game, the offense averaged just 3.6 yards per play on the night.
Biggest weakness: Packers' run game between the tackles
Weakness is probably a bit harsh, but the Packers weren't exactly able to rely heavily on the run game. Josh Jacobs totaled 84 yards rushing but averaged just 3.7 yards per attempt.
Jacobs and the offensive line were able to churn out positive gains, but averaging fewer than 4 yards per rush is a difficult way to live. That forced the passing game to do the heavy lifting.
The Packers' passing attack has the talent to shoulder that responsibility, but the defense often is going to have the schematic advantage when that becomes the primary way of moving the ball for any offense, especially from more predictable, longer down and distance situations.
The Packers had to get creative in the run game and get Golden and Savion Williams involved on their final touchdown drive to help put away the game in the fourth quarter.
Photos: Packers overpower Washington at Lambeau to improve to 2-0
Commanders Packers Football
Packers running back Chris Brooks handles the ball after a catch as a host of Washington Commanders defend during the first half Thursday in Green Bay. Morry Gash, Associated Press
Commanders Packers Football
Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed makes a catch as Commanders cornerback Mike Sainristil, left, and safety Quan Martin, right, defend before the play was nullified because of a Packers penalty during the first half Thursday in Green Bay. Matt Ludtke, Associated Press
Commanders Packers Football
Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed reacts after being injured during the first half Thursday in Green Bay. Matt Ludtke, Associated Press
Commanders Packers Football
Fans cheer during the national anthem as jets fly over Lambeau Field before the start of Thursday's game against the Washington Commanders in Green Bay. Mike Roemer, Associated Press
Commanders Packers Football
Packers wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks catches a pass as Washington Commanders cornerback Marshon Lattimore defends during the first half Thursday in Green Bay. Mike Roemer, Associated Press
Commanders Packers Football
Packers wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks is unable to catch a pass as Washington Commanders cornerback Mike Sainristil, left, and safety Quan Martin defend during the first half Thursday in Green Bay. Mike Roemer, Associated Press
Commanders Packers Football
Packers quarterback Jordan Love scrambles during the first half Thursday in Green Bay. Mike Roemer, Associated Press
Commanders Packers Football
Packers running back Chris Brooks runs with the ball as Washington Commanders cornerback Mike Sainristil defends during the first half Thursday in Green Bay. Mike Roemer, Associated Press
Commanders Packers Football
Packers coach Matt LaFleur watches from the sidelines during the first half Thursday in Green Bay. Morry Gash, Associated Press
Commanders Packers Football
Packers quarterback Jordan Love throws during the first half Thursday in Green Bay. Morry Gash, Associated Press
Commanders Packers Football
Packers tight end Tucker Kraft runs with the ball during the first half Thursday in Green Bay. Matt Ludtke, Associated Press
Commanders Packers Football
Packers tight end Tucker Kraft runs after a catch Thursday in Green Bay. Jeffrey Phelps, Associated Press
Commanders Packers Football
Packers wide receiver Malik Heath makes a sideline catch Thursday in Green Bay. Jeffrey Phelps, Associated Press
Commanders Packers Football
Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed can't catch the ball Thursday in Green Bay. Jeffrey Phelps, Associated Press
Commanders Packers Football
Packers quarterback Jordan Love signals a first down after he ran with the ball Thursday in Green Bay. Jeffrey Phelps, Associated Press
Commanders Packers Football
Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels drops back to pass during the first half Thursday in Green Bay. Mike Roemer, Associated Press
Commanders Packers Football
Commanders kicker Matt Gay misses a field goal attempt during the first half Thursday in Green Bay. Morry Gash, Associated Press
Commanders Packers Football
Commanders kicker Matt Gay reacts after missing a field goal as Green Bay Packers' Edgerrin Cooper, right, walks past during the first half Thursday in Green Bay. Mike Roemer, Associated Press
Commanders Packers Football
Packers kicker Brandon McManus reacts after hitting the upright to miss a field goal attempt to close the first half Thursday in Green Bay. Matt Ludtke, Associated Press
Commanders Packers Football
Former Green Bay Packers wide receiver Sterling Sharpe is honored for is induction into the Hall of Fame during halftime Thursday in Green Bay. Matt Ludtke, Associated Press
Commanders Packers Football
Former Green Bay Packers wide receiver Sterling Sharpe is honored for is induction into the Hall of Fame during halftime Thursday in Green Bay. Matt Ludtke, Associated Press
Commanders Packers Football
Former Green Bay Packers wide receiver Sterling Sharpe is honored for is induction into the Hall of Fame during halftime Thursday in Green Bay. Matt Ludtke, Associated Press
Commanders Packers Football
Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt runs with the ball as Green Bay Packers linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, right, and defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt, left, defend during the second half Thursday in Green Bay. Mike Roemer, Associated Press
Commanders Packers Football
Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels is sacked by Packers linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, right, and defensive lineman Micah Parsons, left, during the second half Thursday in Green Bay. Morry Gash, Associated Press
Commanders Packers Football
Packers running back Josh Jacobs runs with the ball as Washington Commanders cornerback Trey Amos, left, defends during the second half Thursday in Green Bay. Morry Gash, Associated Press
Commanders Packers Football
Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz scores past Green Bay Packers safety Xavier McKinney during the second half Thursday in Green Bay. Matt Ludtke, Associated Press
Commanders Packers Football
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels is upended by Green Bay Packers safety Javon Bullard, center, as defensive lineman Micah Parsons, left, and linebacker Quay Walker watch during the second half Thursday in Green Bay. Mike Roemer, Associated Press
Commanders Packers Football
Packers tight end Tucker Kraft catches a touchdown pass as Washington Commanders safeties Will Harris, left, and Quan Martin, right, defend during the second half Thursday in Green Bay. Matt Ludtke, Associated Press
Commanders Packers Football
Packers quarterback Jordan Love celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass to tight end Tucker Kraft, right, during the second half Thursday in Green Bay. Morry Gash, Associated Press
Commanders Packers Football
Packers tight end Tucker Kraft celebrates with fans after catching a touchdown pass during the second half Thursday in Green Bay. Matt Ludtke, Associated Press
Commanders Packers Football
Packers quarterback Jordan Love celebrates after victory over the Washington Commanders Thursday in Green Bay. Morry Gash, Associated Press
Commanders Packers Football
Commanders wide receiver Deebo Samuel celebrates after scoring during the second half Thursday in Green Bay. Matt Ludtke, Associated Press
Commanders Packers Football
Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, right, talks with Packers defensive lineman Micah Parsons following Thursday's game in Green Bay. Matt Ludtke, Associated Press
Commanders Packers Football
Packers coach Matt LaFleur, left, and Washington Commanders coach Dan Quinn greet each other after Thursday's game in Green Bay. Matt Ludtke, Associated Press
0 Comments
Get in the game with our Prep Sports Newsletter
Sent weekly directly to your inbox!