Coming off a Week 1 divisional win over the New York Giants, the Washington Commanders (1-0) are kicking off Week 2 of the NFL season with a Thursday Night Football game against the Green Bay Packers (1-0) at Lambeau Field. Both teams are operating on a short week after achieving divisional wins in Week 1.
The teams are both vastly different from their last matchup three years ago, and one name could be the difference maker that gives the Packers the edge: Micah Parsons.
Game planning around the All-Pro pass-rusher isn't something new to the Commanders, although that doesn't make stopping him any easier. Parsons is a game wrecker -- he has more sacks against Washington (10.5) than any other opponent he's faced -- and got to quarterback Jayden Daniels 4.5 times in two matchups last season with the Dallas Cowboys. Parsons recorded a sack in his Packers debut, despite a back injury limiting his snap count. The Commanders beefed up their offensive line this offseason with the addition of All-Pro left tackle Laremy Tunsil, which should help fend off Parsons.
The Commanders' passing offense looked like it was still getting in sync, despite them committing eight offensive penalties to push them back 55 yards in total, which doesn't include crucial drops from tight end Zach Ertz and wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. Still, Samuel finished with seven receptions for 77 yards and a rushing touchdown as Washington's leading receiver.
On offense, the Packers have a strong run game led by running back Josh Jacobs, who put up 66 yards on 19 carries and a rushing touchdown, marking nine straight games he has recorded a score. The Commanders' run defense improved from No. 30 at the end of last season to No. 10 following Week 1, in which they allowed the Giants to gain 74 yards on the ground over 23 attempts. Washington held New York's running backs to an average of two yards per carry -- the second lowest of any team in Week 1.
With an average age of 25.23 years old, Green Bay has the youngest roster in the NFL which Washington should look to exploit. Rookie wide receiver Matthew Golden was held to just two catches for 16 yards in his debut versus the Detroit Lions, although it's hard to judge Golden considering he was only targeted twice. That being said, the Commanders have experienced corners in Marshon Lattimore and Mike Sainristil who can lock Golden and WR1 Jayden Reed down.
Playing at Lambeau is one of the toughest environments for opposing teams. It's loud and hostile, which is why the Commanders have been getting used to the noise throughout practice. If they can tune out the noise, limit Parsons and maintain a solid rush defense, Washington can come away with their first road win of the season.
Giants (0-1) vs. Cowboys (0-1):
Quarterback Russell Wilson will start again on the road for the Giants in their second consecutive divisional matchup. Wilson was pressured 17 times by Washington's defense -- the fourth-most in Week 1 -- and went 5-for-13 for 51 yards and took two sacks. That pressure forced him to scramble, and he finished the day as the Giants' top rusher with eight carries for 44 yards -- 20 yards more with two fewer carries than running back Tyrone Tracy.
New York's offensive line and run game won't have much help in Week 2 facing Dallas. The Cowboys acquired Kenny Clark in their blockbuster trade with the Packers, and the defensive tackle's impact was immediately felt in Week 1. Eagles running backs combined for 24 carries and averaged 2.5 yards per carry in the 15 plays Clark was on the field.
After trading Parsons, the Cowboys are reportedly looking to beef up their pass rush by hosting former No.1-overall pick Jadeveon Clowney for a visit Wednesday morning. Clowney was released by the Carolina Panthers after the 2024 season, in which he had 5.5 sacks (down from his career-high 9.5 sacks with the Baltimore Ravens in 2023) and 46 combined tackles. The Clark-Clowney duo could be a lethal threat to the Giants' already struggling run game if it comes to fruition.
Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott had a solid showing in his first game after suffering a season-ending hamstring injury to miss the final nine games of the 2024 season. The biggest issue for the Cowboys in Week 1 was drops from wide receivers. CeeDee Lamb had four drops in a winnable game with the Eagles, including two crucial slips in the fourth quarter that could have given the Cowboys the edge. Despite the drops, Lamb was still the Cowboys' leading receiver with seven catches for 110 yards.
Eagles (1-0) vs. Chiefs (0-1):
The Super Bowl rematch is a redemption game for Kansas City, who dropped their Week 1 divisional bout in Brazil to the Los Angeles Chargers, 27-21. The Chiefs are currently alone in last place in the AFC West for the first time since Week 5 of the 2021 season. The last time Kansas City lost in Week 1, however, was 2023, and they finished the season as Super Bowl LVII champs over the San Francisco 49ers.
Kansas City's biggest detriment is its top two wide receivers Rashee Rice (suspended) and Xavier Worthy (shoulder) are inactive for Week 2, leaving Mahomes with Marquise "Hollywood" Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster. The Eagles' starting cornerback Adoree' Jackson struggled against the Cowboys' Lamb and George Pickens. He allowed five of seven receptions for 103 yards, although defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said Jackson will start again.
Just like in the Super Bowl, the Chiefs' defense is likely going to try taking away the run game and force quarterback Jalen Hurts to beat them in the air. Mitigating the threat of running back Saquon Barkley, who had 60 yards on 18 carries and a touchdown in Week 1, puts pressure on wide receiver A.J. Brown, who is dealing with a hamstring injury.
Although it's extremely early to make playoff predictions, it would be significant for the Eagles to force the Chiefs into an 0-2 hole. Teams that start 0-2 have a statistically high chance of missing the playoffs, securing postseason berths just 12.2% of the time, according to Elias Sports Bureau.
