The Green Packers are looking for their first 2-0 start since the Aaron Rodgers era in 2020.
The Packers will host the Washington Commanders at Lambeau Field for Washington's first ever Thursday Night matchup in Green Bay.
Coming off a strong 27-13 win over the Detroit Lions in Week 1, the Packers look like an NFC frontrunner to start the season, but face a tough challenge hosting the former Offensive Rookie of the Year in Jayden Daniels and his talented cast of characters.
But despite Daniels' young stature, Thursday night's matchup will be a showdown between the oldest and youngest teams in the NFL, with the Packers holding strong to its youth, while the Commanders rely on veteran experience.
Jordan Love, the Packers' first-round pick in 2020, had a decent showing against the Lions in Week 1, throwing for 188 yards and two touchdowns on 16-of-22 attempts, and shared the love equally between Green Bay's young receiving corps.
Jayden Reed had three receptions, the most on the team, for 45 yards, while Romeo Doubs led Green Bay in receiving yards (68) on two receptions.
Matthew Golden and Tucker Kraft each had two receptions and combined for 16 yards, and Kraft hauled in a touchdown. Dontavion Wicks tallied two receptions for 30 yards.
But Love, along with much of the rest of the Packers' young core, has yet to face Washington since entering the league. In fact, the newest member of Green Bay's roster, Micah Parsons, has had the most experience against the Commanders.
In 2024, Parsons combined for 12 tackles and 4.5 sacks against Washington, pushing his career total to 32 tackles and 10.5 sacks in eight games vs. his former NFC East rival.
This year’s matchup carries added weight. It marks the first time since 2018 that the Packers open their season with two straight home games, and the first time since 2012 they’ll do so in just five days. It also adds to a demanding early schedule: five of Green Bay’s eight home games are against 2024 playoff teams (Week 1 Detroit Lions, Week 12 Minnesota Vikings, Week 17 Baltimore Ravens), including both NFC Championship Game participants, Washington in Week 2 and Philadelphia in Week 10.
On Thursday night at Lambeau Field, the Packers and Commanders — two NFC contenders — meet in a matchup that could carry significant playoff implications later in the season, with Green Bay looking to reinforce its standing among the conference’s elite.
