5 Numbers That Explain Green Bay’s Victory Over the Commanders

The Green Bay Packers beat the Washington Commanders 27-18 on a warm September night at Lambeau. The offense got off to a bit of a slow start, while the defense started picking up where they left off last week, causing a three-and-out on Washington's first drive.

Green Bay struck first with a 96-yard drive to go up by a touchdown, courtesy of Romeo Doubs. Another long touchdown drive made it 14-0, Packers.

The Commanders would eventually make it 14-3 headed into the half and, despite Green Bay’s relative dominance, narrow the margin down to seven at the start of the fourth quarter. The offense quickly put an end to that suspense with another touchdown, and the game was all but over after another Packers defensive stop.

Here are five numbers that tell the story of Green Bay's win over the Commanders.

11

Green Bay’s defense held Washington to just 11 yards of offense in the first quarter, their lowest total since Week 17 in 2018. The defense looked just as sharp as they had in last week's game against the Detroit Lions, flustering Jayden Daniels and the Commanders.

In many ways, Green Bay’s defense forced the Commanders to play similarly to the Lions, dinking and dunking the ball instead of utilizing their explosive and dynamic offense.

There was something incredibly similar about the sight of Austin Ekeler catching passes underneath and trying to shake tacklers for extra yards, something that the Packers forced Jahmyr Gibbs to do last week. The pass rush and coverage on the back end make it hard for quarterbacks and offenses to drive against them.

2

Green Bay’s offense had a pair of 90-plus-yard touchdown drives. The offense looked at its best tonight when it started in the shadow of its own end zone.

On their first touchdown drive, Love was able to hit Kraft over the middle for a 57-yard pass, which flipped the field position. Love also showcased his ability to move, scampering for 14 yards on third-and-nine to extend the drive one play before rifling a five-yard pass to Doubs to open the scoring.

On the second touchdown drive, the offense almost got it all on the first play, as Love's pass was just a little too far for an outstretched Matthew Golden. Instead, they methodically drove down the field with a successful challenge that overturned an incompletion to a 37-yard reception for Malik Heath. The offense would cap off the drive with a two-yard rushing touchdown by Josh Jacobs.

The offense was able to play complementary football, stringing together long drives to physically and mentally exhaust Washington’s defense.

124

Tucker Kraft finished the night with 124 yards, the most for any Packers tight end in a single game since Richard Rodgers in 2016. So much emphasis was put on the receiver room early in the season. While the WRs have been great, Kraft has set himself apart these last two weeks.

Kraft has become Love’s favorite target and has been more than just a security blanket, showcasing his ability after the catch with 78 yards in just this game. Kraft’s ability after the grab is what makes him so dangerous and is something that can singlehandedly flip drives, like when he got a 57-yard pass on the first scoring drive of the game to flip field position.

Kraft is also an incredible asset in the red zone, getting his second touchdown grab in two weeks, getting an eight-yard score to make it a two-score game.

8

Micah Parsons recorded eight pressures in his second game with Green Bay, the most for any Packers player in a single game since Rashan Gary in Week 17 of the 2023 season. Last week, the Packers limited Parsons' snaps, but he still made an impact. This week, he got a full workload, and his fingerprints were all over the game.

Parsons was the star on a Packers defensive line that had one of its best games in recent memory as they neutralized an explosive offense. Parsons specifically was electric, despite recording just half a sack, drawing and beating double teams whenever he was set to rush the passer.

The defense even did a good job containing Daniels, allowing just 17 yards on seven rushes.

While everyone thought that the Parsons trade would unlock a new level for Green Bay's defense, it is clear to see just how much better they are with him on the team, as Gary and Lukas Van Ness have taken their game to the next level.

15/17

Jordan Love was incredible when he wasn't pressured, finishing 15 of 17 on the night when he was given a clean pocket. Green Bay’s offense seems to be on another level when Love is kept clean, working efficiently, and making very few missteps.

The offensive line's protection, especially in the first half, was incredible and allowed Love to have the time to survey the field and find his best option. A key to Green Bay's success in the passing game in the first two weeks has been its ability to keep Love clean.

While he has struggled when facing pressure, Love’s efficiency at the start of the season is something all Packers fans wanted to see as they now have a 2-0 record and currently sit atop the NFC North.