The Washington Commanders look to improve to 2-0 on the season, but it won’t be easy. Washington faces the Green Bay Packers (1-0) on this week’s edition of Thursday Night Football.
The Commanders defeated the Giants 21-6 in Sunday’s season opener, holding them to just 231 yards of total offense and keeping New York out of the end zone. The Packers were equally as dominant, holding the Detroit Lions to 246 total yards. Detroit’s only touchdown didn’t come until 55 seconds remained in the game.
Washington and Green Bay feature two young quarterbacks: Jayden Daniels and Jordan Love. This is Love’s sixth NFL season and third as a starting quarterback. Meanwhile, Daniels began his second NFL season last week, passing for 233 yards and rushing for 68 in the win.
Each defense will play a significant role in the outcome of Thursday’s game, but it could come down to the quarterback. We look at four keys to victory for the Commanders on Thursday night.
Protect Jayden Daniels
Let’s start with the obvious. The Giants sacked Daniels three times in Week 1 and had other chances at him, but Daniels proved too slippery. It was an up-and-down first game for Washington’s new-look offensive line, which featured only center Tyler Biadasz in the same position as last year. New York’s defensive line presented a formidable first challenge. So, too, will the Packers.
Green Bay had a solid front seven before it acquired Micah Parsons. With Parsons, the Packers now have several former first-round picks among their front seven. Parsons and Rashan Gary form a potentially dominant duo, making life difficult for tackles Laremy Tunsil and rookie Josh Conerly Jr. Conerly gave up a few pressures against the Giants, but was nowhere near as bad as you read on social media. How the Commanders handle Green Bay’s edge rushers will go a long way in determining the game’s outcome.
Find Deebo
It only took one week to feel Deebo Samuel’s impact. Whether it’s short passes, runs, or something down the field, Washington should make a concerted effort to get Samuel involved early. Even if he doesn’t produce big numbers, he opens up more opportunities for others. If the Commanders can get Green Bay to dedicate more resources to Samuel, it could mean more one-on-one chances for Terry McLaurin. Samuel’s impact can truly be felt in the run game. He’s such a unique weapon. Samuel’s ability as a receiver and a runner gives defenses something different to defend. Never mind, opposing defenses already must worry about Daniels, Austin Ekeler and Jacory Croskey-Merritt in the run game.
Shut down Josh Jacobs
The Commanders shut down the Giants’ running game on Sunday. Stopping Green Bay and Josh Jacobs will be more challenging. Jacobs rushed for 66 yards in the opener, but only averaged 3.5 yards per attempt. Washington would love to keep him at around the same average on Thursday. It’s not going to be easy. If you can make Love beat you, it increases your chances of winning. It’s not that Love can’t beat you; he can, but Jacobs is Green Bay’s offensive MVP. Everything opens up for the Packers when Jacobs is running wild. The Commanders must ensure that does not happen.
Make a play on special teams
Whether it’s a kickoff return, punt return, blocked punt, etc., Washington needs a big play on special teams. It doesn’t even need to be a score, but something that could flip the field. In close and lower-scoring games, one special teams play can often change everything.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders vs. Packers: 4 keys to a Week 2 victory