The Keys to Victory for the Green Bay Packers vs the Washington Commanders in Week 2

The Green Bay Packers have a short week as they prepare for their Week 2 matchup with the Washington Commanders. Both teams enter this NFC matchup with 1-0 records. The Packers are fresh off a convincing 27-13 win over the Lions. The Commanders opened their 2025 campaign with a 21-6 victory over the New York Giants. Last year, both teams made the playoffs. The Commanders even reached the NFC Championship Game. Here are the keys to victory for the Packers in their Week 2 matchup with the Washington Commanders.

The Packers lead the all-time series between these two teams 20-16-1 in the regular season. The two teams first met in 1932 when the Commanders were known as the Boston Braves. The Packers won two of the three playoff meetings between the teams.

Here are the keys to victory for Thursday’s game at Lambeau Field:

Packers Keys to Victory vs Commanders, Number One: Don’t Let Jayden Daniels Beat You with His Legs

Running quarterbacks have long been a problem for the Packers defense although this year could be different. Jayden Daniels gives the Commanders an elite running and throwing quarterback. Last season, he won Offensive Rookie of the Year honors after throwing for more than 3,500 yards and running for nearly 900 more. He had a quarterback rating of 100.1.

The Packers have to figure out how to contain Daniels’ running threat. Look for Quay Walker to be the most likely player to be the Packers “spy” designed to prevent Daniels from running for big gains.

The Packers pass rush has multiple weapons in Micah Parsons, Rashan Gary, and Lukas Van Ness. Parsons had success at catching Daniels last year when he was with Dallas and he has the speed to run him down. Defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley may move Parsons around and even line him up over the center to keep the Commanders off balance.

That combined with a spy and a predominance of zone defenses are the likely plan to try to contain Daniels.

Number Two: Contain Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel

The Packers secondary will have to overcome some injuries and slow down two talented wideouts to be successful in this game. Nate Hobbs hopes to make Packers debut Thursday after missing the season opener. Bo Melton suffered a shoulder injury and was projected to miss practice Monday.

Carrington Valentine and Keisean Nixon did a good job against the Lions in week 1. Their coverage combined with the strong Packers pass rush kept Detroit from passing downfield. They’ll need a repeat performance against Washington.

The Commanders have a strong duo of wideouts in Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel. McLaurin gives Washington a strong deep threat. He staged a “hold in” during training camp and eventually received a new contract, but he may not be in ideal football shape yet. Samuel runs good intermediate and short routes and can also run the football.

The key for the Packers will again be to prevent splash plays by Washington and to quickly rally to the ball and prevent short passes from becoming big gains.

Packers Keys to Victory vs Commanders, Number Three: Run the Football

The Packers offensive line struggled to block for the run in Week 1. Josh Jacobs was often hit close to the line of scrimmage against Detroit. Only his ability to break tackles and gain yardage after contact helped him have a more effective second half.

Starting left guard Aaron Banks and right tackle Zach Tom are both dealing with injuries and their status during a short week remains uncertain. Jordan Morgan and Darian Kinnard would step in if Banks and Tom cannot play.

The Commanders have a strong duo of defensive tackles in Daron Payne and Javon Kinlaw. Elgton Jenkins and the two guards will have to keep them in check if the Packers are to run the football effectively.

If Jacobs runs well, that will help set up the play action passing game for Jordan Love and the offense.

Number Four: Protect Jordan Love

As discussed in key number three, the Packers offensive line may be missing two starters. Washington’s pass rush is led by Dorrace Armstrong who had six pressures and one sack in Week 1. Von Miller comes in on obvious passing downs as well.  Rasheed Walker and either Tom or Kinnard will have to slow him down.

The Packers offensive line did an outstanding job of giving Love a clean pocket against Detroit. If Love has time to throw, he should be able to have success against the Washington secondary. Even when the Lions blitzed, the offensive line did a good job of picking up the extra rushers and giving Love time. A repeat performance would give the Pack a big advantage this week.

Packers Keys to Victory vs Commanders, Number Five: Slow the Washington Running Game

Rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt had a strong NFL debut against the Giants. The former Arizona star has good speed and burst, and emerged last week as the team’s top back.

The Green Bay defense did a great job of shutting down a strong Detroit running game last week. Colby Wooden and Devonte Wyatt did a good job of shutting down the middle of the field while the Packers edge rushers kept contain and prevented the Lions from running wide.

Forcing the Commanders into obvious passing situations would be a big help to the Green Bay defense.

Number Six: Get Tucker Kraft More Involved

The Packers frequently used two tight end formations against the Lions. Tucker Kraft often had to chip Aidan Hutchinson at the line of scrimmage which limited his receiving opportunities. He still caught two passes including one for a touchdown.

Getting Kraft more involved in the passing game will be important against Washington. The Packers receiving corps remains banged up with Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks both appearing on the injury report for Wednesday.

Look for head coach Matt LaFleur to involve his tight ends more this week and to scheme his healthy receivers open against the Commanders secondary.

Prediction:

The Packers face another tough opponent in the Commanders. If they can win the game, the Packers would not only two 2-0 but will have already defeated two of the top contenders in the NFC.

Daniels gives the defense a big challenge, but the Packers have the advantage of being at home on a Thursday night.

This won’t be easy, but the Packers will contain Daniels just enough to win a close game.

Packers 30, Commanders 27