The Washington Commanders traveled to Wisconsin to face the Green Bay Packers in an early-season showdown. So how did Washington fare in such a marquee matchup between two of the league’s most exciting teams?
Welp. It’s probably not your day when the injury cart has more consistent drives than your team’s offense.
Unfortunately for the visitors, defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr. (right quad) and running back Austin Ekeler (Achilles) each required the cart after suffering potential long-term injuries. Compounding matters, receiver Noah Brown and tight end John Bates both exited the game early with groin injuries. And, most concerning, franchise quarterback Jayden Daniels was clearly hobbling on the field during the fourth quarter after taking a hit to the knee. Safe to say the training room will be a popular destination between now and Week 3.
The coaching staff will be equally busy over the next 10 days, desperately dissecting how things went so severely sideways on both sides of the ball during Thursday Night Football. The Packers cruised to a thorough 27-18 victory that wasn’t as close as the final score suggests. The cheeseheads were the aggressors from the jump, playing faster and more physical while dominating the line of scrimmage on both offense and defense.
Receiver Deebo Samuel had a solid showing in the loss, as did rookie cornerback Trey Amos. But too many of their teammates were overmatched passengers. The offense, as a whole, did not appear ready for prime time — amassing just 230 total yards. That represents the lowest output since Jayden Daniels became the franchise’s starting quarterback. Clearly the Micah Parsons-led defense neutralized whatever game plan offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury planned to implement.
Daniels was pressured on an alarming 25 of 51 dropbacks (49 percent), the most of his career. And it wasn’t as if the Packers were sending exotic blitzes all night long. Commanders rookie right tackle Josh Conerly Jr. allowed two sacks and nine pressures. Right guard Nick Allegretti wasn’t much better, allowing five pressures. When the entire right side of your offensive line appears overmatched, it’s obviously difficult to dictate play to your opponent.
Packers quarterback Jordan Love connected with his pass catchers seemingly at will. There were way too many missed assignments and blown coverages. Green Bay’s tight ends were so wide open, it’s fair to wonder if the defense knew they were allowed to cover Tucker Kraft (six catches for 124 yards and a touchdown).
No fourth quarter heroics or miracle finishes. Just a slew of wounded athletes and questions for the coaching staff.