The Washington Commanders surprised many around the league by winning double-digit games for the first time since 2012 and coming one victory away from reaching the Super Bowl. Now, there are higher expectations for the squad in the second year of the Jayden Daniels era.
The Commanders will have a tougher schedule this year by virtue of finishing second in the NFC East. Super Bowl contenders like the Kansas City Chiefs and Detroit Lions loom later in the year along with talented teams like the Seattle Seahawks and Green Bay Packers. They will also experience a dramatic increase in travel miles, which includes a trip to Europe to play the Miami Dolphins.
Now that the season is on the horizon, Commanders.com is going to break down each of Washington's opponents. We'll move on to the Green Bay Packers -- the first of several primetime games for the Commanders in 2025.
GAME INFORMATION
Date: Sept. 11
Time: 8:15 p.m.
Location: Lambeau Field
Individual stats leaders
- Passing Yards -- QB Jordan Love (3,389)
- Passing TDs -- QB Jordan Love (25)
- Rushing Yards -- RB Josh Jacobs (1,329)
- Rushing TDs -- RB Josh Jacobs (15)
- Receiving Yards -- WR Jayden Reed (857)
- Receiving TDs -- TE Tucker Kraft (7)
- Tackles -- LB Quay Walker (107)
- Sacks -- DE Rashan Gary (7.5)
- Interceptions – CB Xavier McKinney (8)
Key additions
- G Aaron Banks (free agency)
- CB Nate Hobbs (free agency)
- WR Matthew Golden (draft)
- WR Mecole Hardman (free agency)
- K Brandon McManus (free agency)
Key questions
- Can the Packers get more out of their run game? Josh Jacobs ignited the Packers' ground game in a manner that has not been seen in recent memory. They finished fifth in yards per game -- their highest ranking since 2003 -- as Jacobs rushed for his fourth career 1,000-yard season. The strategy, which took pressure off Love while also fueling the fifth-best scoring offense in 2024, seems to be the approach going forward, but is it possible for the Packers' run game to reach another level? Green Bay's front office certainly thinks so, which is why they signed Banks away from the San Francisco 49ers. Aside from being a solid player who allowed just one sack and four quarterback hits last year, Banks' presence allows the Packers to move Elgton Jenkins, Sean Rhyan and Jordan Morgan to other positions. If they can find the right starting lineup at offensive line, they have the talent to replicate last year's ground success.
- Who is the new leader in the secondary? Jaire Alexander, a two-time Pro Bowler who spent his entire career in Green Bay, is now with the Baltimore Ravens after being released, leaving a noticeable hole in the team's secondary. It's true injuries limited Alexander to just 14 games over the last two seasons, but he is still a solid cornerback when healthy. There's obvious talent at defensive back with McKinney at safety, and Keisan Nixon has two First Team All-Pro nods since arriving in Green Bay. It will be interesting to see how Hobbs fits into their plans. Hobbs flashed at times with the Las Vegas Raiders but has never played more than 13 games in a season. When he was on the field, the Raiders used him primarily in the slot, and he was moderately productive with an interception in three of the last four seasons. However, assuming the Packers keep him in the slot, that still leaves a spot open opposite Nixon.
- Can Matthew Golden elevate the offense? The Packers drafted a wide receiver in the first round for the first time since Sterling Sharpe in 1988, causing Packers fans to rejoice at the decision. There's a lot to like about Golden, from his 4.29 speed to his massive jump in production for Texas in 2024. Is he enough to improve a passing attack that was on the fringes of being a top 10 unit? Possibly; he excels at all three levels and can win contested catches. Outside of Romeo Doubs, the Packers don't have many receivers that will scare opposing defenses. There will be pressure for Golden to produce quickly, but he has the skill set to prove why he was the right receiver to end a nearly four-decade drought.
