Commanders at Packers Preview

We don’t always get premium matchups on Thursday night football. In fact, more often than not to kick-off the week we’re treated to an epic matchup between the Titans and Panthers (or something to that effect). Maybe Amazon has been talking to Roger Goodell, but this week's TNF matchup is one to get excited about. We’ve got the Green Bay Packers against the Washington Commanders. Both ascending teams. Both have promising Quarterbacks that many believe can work their way into the top 5. Both are on the short list of teams everyone believes can challenge the Eagles for NFC supremacy. This should be a good one, my friends. Here’s what you should be watching for:

Can the Commanders defense stop Matt LaFluer, Jordan Love and a balanced Packers Offensive attack?

Defense was a problem for Washington last year. They ranked 21st in the league in EPA/G allowed. Last week, they looked substantially better – but facing this Packers offense will be an entirely different test than Russell Wilson and the New York Giants. The Packers made it look easy against the Detroit Lions last week, and while Jordan Love only threw for 188 yards, LaFleur employed his traditionally balanced attacked, as the Packers averaged 5.7 yards/play, and were THE ONLY NFC team to score more than 24 points. We see the Packers having a massive advantage in the running game, specifically on the left side of the line, and also see LaFleur picking apart the Washington pass defense with short and intermediate routes. Advantage Green Bay.

Can the new look Packers defense, featuring Micah Parsons' speed, contain 2nd-year sensation Jayden Daniels?

We all know how good Jayden Daniels was last year. Well, after 1 week, the Commanders offense led the league in EPA/game, had a 15.4% explosive play rate and generated over 450 yards of total offense. On the other side of the ball, the Packers defense shut down Detroit’s once explosive offense and plethora of playmakers last weekend. Most notably, they held a traditionally potent Lions rushing attack to 46 yards. There’s also the question of containing Jayden Daniels, whose running ability is what makes this Commanders rushing attack so lethal. Enter Micah Parsons, who has more speed off the edge than anyone else in the league. Will Parsons use that speed to track down Daniels, or will the Commanders use Parsons aggression against him?

Our Prediction: Both of these offenses are potent. We just like Green Bay’s defense a little more, especially with the addition of Parsons. Packers 30, Commanders 24.