By Garin Turner
The Green Bay Packers (2–0) remained unbeaten under the lights of Lambeau Field, defeating the Washington Commanders (1–1) 27–18 on Thursday night. Behind a sharp performance from quarterback Jordan Love, a punishing ground game, and a relentless defense, the Packers once again looked like a team built to contend in the NFC.
Love Leads the Charge
After a sluggish start that ended in a turnover on downs, Green Bay quickly found rhythm.
- Jordan Love engineered a seven-play, 96-yard drive, highlighted by a 57-yard strike to Tucker Kraft, before connecting with Romeo Doubs on a five-yard touchdown.
- In the second quarter, Love orchestrated another long march, this one 92 yards, capped by a two-yard touchdown run from Josh Jacobs for a 14–0 cushion.
Love finished 19 of 31 for 292 yards and two touchdowns, efficiently stretching the field and delivering big throws in critical spots.
Commanders Punch Back, Packers Answer
Washington cut into the lead with a field goal before halftime, but the Packers’ defense kept the Commanders at arm’s length for most of the night.
The game tightened in the fourth quarter:
- Jayden Daniels, last year’s NFC Rookie of the Year, connected with Zach Ertz on a 20-yard touchdown to trim the deficit.
- Love answered with poise, finding Kraft again, this time on an eight-yard score, restoring the cushion.
- Daniels added another touchdown, a 10-yard pass to Deebo Samuel, but the Commanders never fully threatened. A late turnover on downs ended their hopes.
Defense Dictates the Game
Green Bay’s defense controlled the line of scrimmage and suffocated Washington’s offense, holding them to just 230 total yards.
- Edgerrin Cooper was everywhere, notching 10 tackles and half a sack.
- Quay Walker added eight tackles, while Rashan Gary continued his hot start with another sack, bringing his season total to 2.5.
- Micah Parsons, constantly disruptive, added half a sack and forced Daniels into hurried throws throughout the night.
This defensive effort was the backbone of Green Bay’s win, applying pressure that Washington’s young quarterback struggled to withstand.
Ground Game and Playmakers
The Packers leaned on their new feature back, and he delivered:
- Josh Jacobs: 23 carries, 84 yards, 1 TD.
- Tucker Kraft: 6 receptions, 124 yards, 1 TD.
- Romeo Doubs: 1 touchdown grab, steady presence in the red zone.
Kraft’s breakout performance gave Love a reliable big-play option, while Jacobs churned out tough yards to keep the chains moving.
Key Takeaways
- Jordan Love is in command — His confidence and downfield accuracy are growing each week.
- Defense is playoff-caliber — Pressure up front and sound tackling forced Washington into desperation mode.
- Tucker Kraft’s emergence — If Kraft continues producing like this, Green Bay has found another offensive weapon to complement Doubs and Jacobs.
Looking Ahead
The Packers will get 10 days of rest before traveling to face the Cleveland Browns on Sept. 21. With momentum building and both sides of the ball clicking, Green Bay has an opportunity to make a statement on the road.
Final Score: Green Bay 27, Washington 18
Packers improve to 2–0; Commanders fall to 1–1.
