The Green Bay Packers and star rusher Micah Parsons will be looking to build on an impressive defensive showing in their opener when they host the Washington Commanders on Thursday night.
Green Bay opened with a dominating 27-13 victory over division rival Detroit, the defending NFL North champion, in Parsons’ Lambeau Field debut on Sunday.
Washington’s defense was equally impressive, keeping the New York Giants out of the end zone in a season-opening 21-6 victory.
Parsons, acquired a week before the regular season in a blockbuster trade with the Dallas Cowboys, was the focus of most attention on and off the field. Parsons registered his first sack late in the fourth quarter, but the rest of Green Bay’s defense also was stellar against the Lions’ high-powered offense.
“I was super impressed with the speed of their defense,” Commanders coach Dan Quinn said Tuesday. “When you watch through the drafts, OK, linebacker, yes. Linebacker, yes. Then adding safeties, (defensive lineman Rashan) Gary on the outside, adding Micah to that.”
Green Bay denied the Lions the end zone until the final minute. Detroit managed just 246 total yards, including 46 on the ground. The Packers had nine tackles for loss with four sacks.
The Packers’ offense was efficient early, forging a 17-3 halftime lead behind Jordan Love’s two touchdown passes. Love completed 16 of 22 passes for 188 yards to 10 receivers. Josh Jacobs ran for 66 of Green Bay’s 78 yards on the ground.
“They have a system and a style and a way that they play and they really stay true to that,” Quinn said. “The proof is in the results of what they’ve done in the run game.”
The Packers held walkthroughs Monday and Tuesday, which is different than a normal week, because head coach Matt LaFleur wanted to feed them Commanders intelligence as early as possible. Four players injured in the season opener did not participate either day: guard Aaron Banks (ankle/groin), defensive end Brenton Cox Jr. (groin), cornerback Bo Melton (shoulder) and right tackle Zach Tom (oblique).
“We’ll give (Banks and Tom) all the way up to game time to see where they’re at,” LaFleur said Tuesday. “Certainly two guys who have a lot of experience, so I’m not as concerned about them (missing practice reps). Yeah, we’re walking through, but there’s no live reps this week.”
Washington’s defense, shredded in a 55-23 loss to Philadelphia in the NFC title game last postseason, held the Giants to 231 total yards and 4 of 16 on third-down conversions.
The Commanders piled up 432 yards in total offense. Jayden Daniels completed 19 of 30 passes for 233 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions while adding 68 yards on the ground. Deebo Samuel had seven receptions for 77 yards in his Commanders’ debut and rushed 19 yards for a score on his only attempt.
Rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt carried 10 times for 82 yards, including a score, as Washington ran for 220 yards and averaged 6.9 yards per carry.
“We’ve got a hell of a challenge this week against, in my opinion, one of the top offenses in the game,” LaFleur said. “They’ve got a ton of weapons … there’s nothing (Daniels) can’t do.”
Daniels was listed on the injury report Monday with a right wrist injury, but Quinn said it was more of a formality.
“We have no level (of concern), we’re just trying to keep it, policies and transparency, as clear as we can,” Quinn said, “But, we have zero concerns.”
Punter Tress Way did not participate in Monday’s walkthrough and was a limited participant on Tuesday after suffering a back injury in the opener.
“He’s improving and we’ll get some kicks in tomorrow and then get him ready to play,” Quinn said.