Green Bay vs Washington: Jordan Love threw for 292 yards as the Green Bay Packers beat the Washington Commanders 27-18 on Thursday Night Football. Read a full match recap, player stats, injuries, implications for the Packers schedule and what to watch next. (Packers, Commanders, Thursday Night Football, Packers Score)
Quick scoreboard (the TL;DR)
Green Bay Packers 27 — Washington Commanders 18 (Thursday Night Football, Week 2). Jordan Love: 292 passing yards, 2 TDs. Tucker Kraft: 6 catches, 124 yards, 1 TD. Josh Jacobs: 84 rushing yards, 1 TD. Jayden Daniels: 200 passing yards, 2 TDs for the Commanders. Austin Ekeler suffered a serious Achilles injury late in the game.
Game snapshot: how the Packers took control
The Packers built a two-score halftime lead behind two long, methodical drives — a 96-yard march and a 92-yard drive — sparked by Jordan Love’s mobility and timely passing. Green Bay led 14-3 at the break and extended the margin with a third-quarter field goal before adding a touchdown in the fourth to put the game away. Washington mounted a late rally, sparked by Jayden Daniels, but a failed fourth-down attempt and the scoreboard deficit halted the comeback.
Why this game mattered
- Primetime test for a young QB and defense: The Packers used a national stage to reaffirm that Jordan Love isn’t just a promising young passer — he’s producing in meaningful wins. His 292 yards and two TDs under pressure in front of a loud Lambeau crowd was a statement.
- Washington’s depth tested: The Commanders, coming off a deep playoff run last season, lost a key playmaker in Austin Ekeler to an Achilles injury — a blow that alters Washington’s offensive plan and running back depth chart immediately.
- Division and early-season seeding: Green Bay moves to 2-0 while Washington falls to 1-1 — both teams will be watching the film and the injury report as the season quickly shapes up.
[Note: Images are collected from Instagram]
Player-by-player: top performances and grades
Green Bay Packers
- Jordan Love (QB) — Game MVP candidate: 292 passing yards, 2 TDs, excellent tempo and mobility on third down. Love orchestrated multiple long drives and showed improved pocket presence. His passer rating and downfield accuracy were highlights.
- Tucker Kraft (TE) — Breakout night: Career-high receiving yardage with six catches for 124 yards and a TD — a primary red-zone target and chain-mover for the Packers.
- Romeo Doubs (WR) — Big-play threat: A touchdown and several contested catches that moved the chains and opened the field.
- Josh Jacobs (RB) — Rugged and consistent: 84 rushing yards and a touchdown; provided balance to Green Bay’s offense and kept Washington’s pass rush honest.
- Packers defense — Bend but don’t break: Key stops in the fourth, pressure packages that disrupted Washington at crucial moments, and a defensive game plan that limited Washington’s ground game to very low yards.
- Jayden Daniels (QB): 24-for-42, 200 yards, 2 TDs in a valiant fourth-quarter push — showed poise but too many stalled drives against an efficient Packers offense.
- Zach Ertz (TE): Produced a touchdown and served as a short-yardage safety valve down the stretch.
- Austin Ekeler (RB): Limited production before a devastating Achilles injury that looked likely season-ending; the Commanders will need to pivot quickly at RB.
Postgame LIVE: Hear from HC Dan Quinn and more after the game https://t.co/LX5GlEFdg8
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) September 12, 2025
Critical moments & turning points
- Two long first-half drives by Green Bay — controlling the clock and flipping field position turned the game into a grind that favored the Packers.
- Missed opportunities for Washington early — settling for a long field goal instead of touchdowns repeatedly forced them into a catch-up mode.
- Ekeler’s injury — shifted Washington’s late-game urgency into uncertainty and limited their play-calling options while they dealt with personnel changes.
X’s & O’s: what coaches schemed and why it worked
- Packers offensive approach: A balanced mix of play-action, tight-end seams, and quarterback-made plays. Jordan Love’s ability to extend plays with his legs and then find open receivers made the difference on third down. Using Tucker Kraft effectively in mismatches was a deliberate plan that paid off.
- Packers defensive game plan: Generate pressure without gambling for big blitzes; slow Washington’s run game and force Daniels into longer drives — the result was low rushing yards and an offense that produced chunks but not consistent drives.
- Commanders adjustments: Washington attempted to inject tempo late with Daniels’ legs and short throws to Ertz, but the Packers’ ability to make routine third-down stops in the second half blunted the comeback.
Injury watch: Austin Ekeler update and ripple effects
The most serious news out of Lambeau was Austin Ekeler’s apparent Achilles injury, which NFL and team reports called a likely torn Achilles. The Commanders will likely place him on injured reserve, shifting carries to depth options and possibly changing early season playcalls to protect the cast of offensive weapons already adapting to a new offensive balance. Expect Washington to explore committee options and potentially the waiver/trade market if Ekeler is sidelined long-term.
