Sophomore sensation quarterback Jayden Daniels was unable to take the Washington Commanders to 2-0 after putting up a poor performance against a tough Packers team in Green Bay, Wis..
The Washington Commanders (1-1) traveled to take on the Green Bay Packers (2-0) Thursday night at Lambeau Field. Both teams, who are top contenders in the National Football Conference (NFC), had commanding victories last week and looked to carry that success forward and remain undefeated.
Washington’s defensive unit struggled at first, allowing multiple first downs and accruing a costly defensive pass interference penalty on cornerback Marshon Lattimore near midfield. The Commanders were able to recuperate quickly after a pass deflection in the endzone to force a turnover on downs from the Packers.
The Commanders were unable to continue this positive momentum; they saw a three-and-out on their first offensive drive and allowed the first score of the game on the next defensive drive.
After Packers quarterback Jordan Love completed a 57-yard pass to tight end Tucker Kraft, Love scrambled for a 14-yard first down, which included a hard hit from a much larger defender. On the next play, Love threw the first touchdown of the game to wide receiver Romeo Doubs. With a made extra point from kicker Brandon McManus, the Packers led the game 7-0.
The Commanders offense continued to stall as they totaled 19 yards on their next two drives, which both ended in punts. The Packers were able to score on their next drive — which came on the back of another Kraft reception for 17 yards — putting his first half totals at 3 receptions and 89 yards. Packers running back Josh Jacobs proceeded to punch it in for a 2-yard touchdown run, followed by another made extra point by McManus to increase the Packer’s lead to 14.
The Commanders were finally able to get on the board by means of a 51-yard field goal from kicker Matt Gay. Both teams then proceeded to attempt long field goals to end the first half, but both Gay and McManus missed their attempts.
Gay started the second half the same way he ended the first: with a missed field goal, this time a 52-yard attempt. McManus followed up this apparent kicker’s duel with a made field goal after Love failed to score on the first three downs in the red zone, bringing the score to 3-17 Packers.
Daniels was finally able to find the endzone near the beginning of the fourth quarter by means of a connection with tight end Zach Ertz for a 20-yard touchdown reception. After a good extra point from Matt Gay, the score tightened to a one-touchdown deficit for the Commanders at 10-17.
Unfortunately for the away team, Love was able to find Kraft in the endzone on the very next drive, adding to an already excellent game for the young tight end. With his third made extra point of the game, McManus raised the score to 10-24.
McManus followed with his second field goal, this time from 56 yards, to raise his team’s lead to three possessions.
Daniels started the comeback effort off strong with 8 points from a touchdown pass to receiver Deebo Samuel and a 2-point conversion reception to wide receiver Luke McCaffrey, brother of All-Pro First-Team running back Christian McCaffrey. The score then stood at 18-27.
The Commanders were unable to score on their next possession, practically wrapping up the game for Green Bay after quarterback pressure from All-Pro First-Team defensive lineman and recent trade acquisition Micah Parsons.
The Packers easily handled the Commanders on the backs of 292 yards and 2 touchdown passes from Jordan Love and one of the best tight end performances of the season so far from Tucker Kraft with 124 yards and a touchdown on 6 receptions.
Micah Parsons had a great game with his new team as well, leading the way to a victory of 18-27 by means of half a sack and 3 quarterback hits.
The Commanders are next in action back at home, hosting the Las Vegas Raiders (1-1) at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Md., Sept. 21.
