2025 NFL Week 2: Packers vs. Commanders Preview & Prediction

First, let’s state the obvious: the Packers appeared indomitable in their season opener against the Lions. Yay!

Secondly, we wish to apologize for both the brevity and/or the appearance of this particular post. The writer is currently traveling and without access to the usual tools of the trade. Mea culpa.

So…the preview…

The key for the Packers tonight will be containing young phenom QB Jayden Daniels. If the defense can play with the same passion and aggressiveness as they did in the opener, things should go well. A few more days of Micah Parsons integrating into the defensive scheme sure won’t hurt.

Of course we cannot forget the Packers offense. It is loaded with playmakers and can look to replicate its game against Detroit minus the third quarter lull. Even head coach Matt LaFleur noted as much in his post-game comments. He also noted that was partially on him and his play calling. Agreed.

The Prediction…

We’re seeing this as another tough game, but one which should see the Pack notch win number two on the season.

We happened to watch an entire Madden 2025 simulation of this game a few days ago on YouTube. The end score: Packers 27 - Commanders 20. Sounds about right.

Go Packers Go!!!.

2022 NFL Week 7: Packers vs. Commanders Preview & Prediction

 A quick word about last week's game, Packers fans: blech!

Moving on...

Packers WR Sammy Watkins has been reactivated for today's game.

He was becoming a trusted target of QB Aaron Rodgers prior to his

last injury. With Randall Cobb out 4-6 weeks, Watkins is a much-needed

addition in the offensive scheme.

(Photo via Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

The Preview

With the Pack at 3-3 after losing back-to-back games for the first time during head coach Matt LaFleur's tenure, to say today's game vs. the Washington Commanders is a must-win is a conversation starter, for sure. Polls of many fans indicate the majority think it is. We are among those.

Now fully through a third of the season, the Packers still have yet to play a complete game. The offense has scored 10 points in the last 6 quarters. The defense, particularly in the second half of games has, if not collapsed, certainly not lived up to preseason expectations of a Top 5 defense. Not even close. Opposing teams, as with the statement by the Jets coaches last week, know they just have to keep punching the Pack's offense in the mouth and they will fold, while on defense the obvious way to succeed is to go over the middle where it seems receivers are wide open all season long. These are both situations which should have been corrected by now. But...not.

With the Packers receiving corps still missing in action for the most part, the loss of Randall Cobb for 4-6 weeks with the ankle injury suffered last week and Sammy Watkins returning today but still relatively questionable, the receivers are Allen Lazard, Romeo Doubs, Watkins, Amari Rodgers and Samori Toure being activated today. This is who Aaron Rodgers has to throw to. Not a great position to be in at this stage of the season, but someone has to step up.

In addition, it has been announced that LT David Bakhtiari is inactive for today. So after practicing all week as a unit, the offensive line will again be shuffled. Doesn't help. Compared to past seasons, where there were a number of players who could be inserted at nearly any position along the line, not quite the case this year. Sure, players will be plugged in, but performance? We should expect Aaron Rodgers to continue to be under pressure as he has been all season.

Part of relieving the pressure on Rodgers can come from sticking with the running game more than has been the case, especially during the losses. LaFleur has been far too quick to take the ball out of Aaron Jones' and A.J. Dillon's hands. Of course, as LaFleur said in his press conference the day after the loss vs. the jets, if the O-line doesn't block better nothing good is going to happen ... whether in the running game or the passing game.

We don't really even want to take space here to talk about Washington. You can find that analysis elsewhere. Our focus is on the Packers because, ultimately, it begin and ends with those players on the field...and the coaching decisions that are made regarding them.

This is a game the Packers should win, even on the road. But that's been the case in the last two losses, as well. The team has just not shown up. If they don't today, the issues that have been present all season to this point will likely continue on over the rest of the season. Or so it seems.

The Prediction

The Packers are 4-1/2-point favorites at the time of this posting. This is based upon the relative talent of the two opposing teams. The strength of the the Commanders is their defensive line that ranks first in the league in QB hits. Not great given the Pack's penchant for allowing Rodgers to get hit a lot this season. Washington will also have a backup QB under center today, although he ran to daylight quite a bit in last season's game at Lambeau Field; Taylor Heinicke can compete and keep Washington in the game, particularly if the Packers offense continues to struggle and the defense continues its mediocre play.

Until the Packers show us otherwise, we think this game will be close.

We're calling it Packers 20 - Commanders 17.

Go Pack Go!!!

2021 NFL Week 7: Packers vs. The Washington Football Team Preview and Prediction

Let's just acknowledge the obvious: Aaron Rodgers and the Packers have owned Da Bearz. In Green Bay. In Chicago. Doesn't matter.

With that now out of the way, on to today's game vs. The Washington Football Team (hereafter referred to as WFT...no, not WTF...WFT. Got it?).

We hope to see a lot of this today: RB Aaron Jones

running over and through WFT defenders.

(Photo by Mike De Sisti/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

The Preview

The WFT is 2-4. Despite having four first-round picks on the defensive line, they aren't great overall. Main thing for the Packers O-line is to make sure you know where Chase Young is lining up and keep him from getting to Rodgers. As it is, the WFT has given up more points than any other team in the first 6 games of the season.

And can you even name the WFT quarterback? Taylor Heinicke.

Bottom line: the dysfunction in Washington continues.

The Pack has won the last five games vs. the WFT at Lambeau Field. The last time Washington won in Green Bay was 1986.

Still, the Packers can't view this as a walk-over game. We and they saw in the season opener what can happen when you don't show up to play. The Pack also can't be looking past Washington to the Cardinals whom they will be seeing on a short turn-around in Arizona this Thursday evening. Get up on Washington early and go all gas, no brake.

If the Packers show up and play at the level they are capable of — which is still a work in progress, and not even counting the injuries — they will have a win at home.

The Prediction

We kind of gave it away in that last sentence, didn't we? Sorry.

The Packers are favored by anywhere from 8 to 9-1/2 points depending upon who you're listening to.

We're calling this game Packers 38 - WFT 17.

GO PACK GO!!!

NFL Week 14 Review of Packers win vs. Washington, NFL Week 15 Preview vs. Chicago — A twofer once more!

In yet another of our season-long "twofer" type posts, Packer fans, we are heading down the stretch of the regular season, and doing so by entering play against NFC North divisional opponents for the final 3 games.

But first, a very quick review of the game at Lambeau Field vs. Washington: the Green Bay Packers won 20-15. After getting off to a fast start, going up 14-0, the remainder of the game became a bit of a struggle offensively in terms of moving the ball consistently. More on that in a moment. Let's first acknowledge that the Packers defense once again came up big, getting takeaways that definitely helped the Pack hold on for the win. When the defense creates turnovers, the Packers win, simple as that.

But back to the offense...it's inconsistency has been, unfortunately, a season-long problem for the Packers. Despite the 10-3 record going into today's game, even QB Aaron Rodgers and head coach Matt LaFleur concur that the offense has yet to find its "identity" and at this stage of the season "what you see on film is who you are".

So, we can rejoice in the fact that, somehow, someway, through 13 games the Pack has found ways more often than not to win. There are weapons on offense, although not as many in terms of young wide receivers stepping up as was anticipated. The Packers need someone other than Davante Adams to be a consistent threat at wide receiver. Barring that, the Packers tight ends become better options in the receiving game, along with Aaron Jones who occasionally lines up as a receiver. That versatility offered by RB Aaron Jones, along with the pounding style of Jamaal Williams, makes the running game a legitimate threat each and every game.

Packers rookie left guard Elgton Jenkins has been a great fit and performer
this season along the O-line and will be counted on again today against a stout
Chicago Bears defense.
(Photo: Ronald Martinez, Getty Images)

The Preview and Prediction

Let me first of all just say that my friend, Billy Da Bearz fan, is heading to Green Bay as this is being written. He doesn't think Chicago will win, he told me yesterday, but still holds out hope that Da Bearz will somehow pull off the upset. I've always admired him for his insights. Especially, in this case, about how he doesn't expect Da Bearz to win today.

In the 200th meeting of these teams (the Packers currently lead the series, by the way, 98-95-6), in what will be a cold, 18-degree Lambeau Field, the Pack is favored by 4-1/2 points. While Chicago still has a shot at the playoffs after their 3-game win streak, the Packers have more to play for in the form of the NFC North title, playoff seeding and perhaps even a first-round bye and home field advantage through the playoffs; they'll need to win the 3 remaining games in order to have their best shot at all that.

In looking at today's game, the Packers are the healthier of the two teams, they have the better quarterback and offensive weapons (if they can all step up at the same time) and a bend-don't-break defense that is usually adept at getting pressure on the opposing quarterback and in generating turnovers. If all that holds today, the Packers will go to 11-3.

We're calling it Packers 20 - Bears 17 in yet another close game in this epic NFL series.

Go Pack Go!!!

NFL Week 13 Review of Packers win vs. Giants, NFL Week 14 Preview vs. Washington — Yet another...twofer!!

A disturbing pattern has arisen, Packer fans. Not with our beloved Green Bay Packers per se, but with yours truly. Despite the best intentions after each week's game to offer a timely review of that game and another separate post looking ahead to the coming game...not. So things have devolved to doing a combo posting — a "twofer", as you will — with a brief review of last week's game and a preview and prediction for today's game. At this point in the season, if you are a regular reader — and you are, aren't you??? — you're used to it. So...let's carry on then.

Last Sunday saw the Pack bounce back, as we expected they would, from their disappointing drubbing at the hands of the 49ers the prior week with a solid win vs. the New York Giants in the Meadowlands. In a game that saw rain, sleet and snow, the final score was 31-13 Packers. (Our prediction, by the way, had the Pack winning 31-20 ... so we were once again spot on with the Packers' points. Just didn't count on our defense getting 4 turnovers and the Giants being even a bit worse than initially anticipated.) 

The Packers showed, once again, that when they are able to generate and come away with turnovers that they are difficult to beat (but let's be real: any team that is able to benefit from 4 takeaways in a game should darn well win that game, right?). In fact, if memory serves, the Pack's only losses have come in those games where they don't get turnovers.

Solid play came pretty much on both sides of the ball. Yes, there were the 4 takeaways by the defense, but as has been the case pretty much the entire season, there remain concerning gaps and lapses in terms of giving up big plays. But, it's also been the case that generally, the defense has stiffened up when the opponent nears or gets into the redzone. So there's that.

QB Aaron Rodgers did what he needed to do in helping guide the Packers
to a big bounce-back win out east against the Giants last Sunday.
(AP Photo/Adam Hunger) (Photo: Adam Hunger, AP)

It's also the case that the Packers offense may have discovered a reliable Number 2 receiver behind Davante Adams. Allen Lazard had a great game with big catches totaling over 100 yards in receptions, if memory services, including a huge TD catch. Rodgers has confidence in him that seems to be growing each game. Head coach Matt LaFleur said this week when asked that Lazard is the type of player that really gives his all each week in practice whatever he's asked to do. Remember that he's also been very good on special teams coverage. Big and fast are always two great attributes on a football field, any time. RB Jamaal Williams seems to also have some "mudder" in him, reminiscent of the running prowess of Edgar Bennet in his heyday. He showed power and moves in less-than-ideal playing conditions. And Aaron Jones continues to be a multi-dimensional threat that defenses have to account for whenever he's on the field.

The game was really never in doubt. The Packers had to get back on track after their second West Coast flop of the season to get ready for the 4-game stretch run, with 2 games at Lambeau Field and the final two on the road, with the final 3 being against NFC North Division opponents Da Bearz, the ViQueens and the Lions.
.

The Preview

As for today's game against Washington, it is a team that comes to Green Bay with a record of 3-9, the mirror image of the Packers 9-3. Washington has won its last 2 games in a row behind rookie QB Dwayne Haskins (the second rookie quarterback in a row to be faced by the Packers) and a reliance on its running game that includes a veteran running back by the name of Adrian Peterson. Remember him? He may be on the outer edges of his career these days but he can still cause problems if not attended to. The Packers defense will need to stop, or at least contain, the run today as we could expect Washington to try to keep Aaron Rodgers on the sidelines as much as possible by running the clock with its ground game. Washington's defense is said to be coming on, particularly its front.

Offensively for the Packers, it should pretty much be business as usual. Protection for Rodgers and opening some running lanes will be key offensively for the Pack. Such a simple game, really, isn't it?

The inactives list hasn't been published at the time of this writing so we're not entirely sure who's in today and who's out. The injury report had a few players listed as questionable, most notably RG Billy Turner who was out late this last week due to illness; expect shuffling on the O-line in terms of personnel if that lingers into today's game.

We would expect also to see the first action for newly-acquired running back/returner Tyler Ervin who may finally give the Packers something that they haven't yet had all season: positive yardage on returns.

The weather forecast has it set for a balmy 40-degrees for the game with no precipitation anticipated. Good football weather, especially for fans. Just not great December weather advantage football for the Pack.

The Prediction

The Packers are favored by a whopping 12-1/2 points for this game. Yowza. We actually never like to see the Pack favored by this much because it seems as if they often fall short of covering the spread in situations such as this. However, for today's game, we think that's pretty realistic all things considered.

We're calling it Packers 34 - Washington 17.

Go Pack Go!!!

2018 NFL Week 4: Packers vs. Bills Preview & Prediction

After last week's dud in D.C., Packers fans, how are you feeling about today's game against the Buffalo Bills at Lambeau Field? A game with a still-gimpy QB Aaron Rodgers, a game likely without WR and sometime returner Randall Cobb, offensive guard Justin McCray, defensive lineman Mo Wilkerson (done for the season), and several other nicked-up Packers? A game against a team that was a 17-point underdog vs. the ViQueens last weekend and wound up spanking the 'Queens in their home stadium 27-6 behind a rookie quarterback?

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers calling an audible.
(Photo: Adam Wesley/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wis)

You have to believe that that win by the Bills in Minnesota last weekend got the Pack's attention. This is no gimme game, as it might have been perceived when the schedule came out. Recall that the Bills made the playoffs last season and have a stout defense (currently the fifth-ranked run defense in the NFL combined with being tied for 10th in sacks) that harassed Kirk Cousins all game last week, shutting down an explosive Minnesota offense. Offensively, the Bills likely will have running back LeSean McCoy on the field to take pressure off QB Josh Allen, who is no slouch in the running game either having run himself 18 times in two games. As Packers defensive coordinator, Mike Pettine was quoted as saying about Allen this week, “This is a big athlete. He's got good vision. He doesn't look at the rush. I think he does a good job with feeling it. And if you give him an open lane, he's going to take it and he can make you pay for it.”

But perhaps the Achilles heel for the Bills is the team's 29th rank in opponent passer rating (108.1). So, if the Packers can protect Aaron Rodgers -- and the Pack also ups its own running game, particularly in what is expected to be wet conditions -- the Packers should be able to take care of business at home today.

The Prediction

The Packers are favored by 9-1/2 points at the time of this posting. Well, the 'Queens were 17-point faves, as already noted, and that certainly was jut a tad off, wasn't it?

Still, the Packers are at home, coming off an uninspired performance in Washington in a game they were favored to win, and at 1-1-1 through the first three games, have something to prove. If not to the fans at least to themselves at this point. It's time they start getting the season on track. Could the Bills pull off two back-to-back road win upsets behind their rookie QB? Sure. But on this day, we don't think so. We think the Pack gets it together.

We're calling it Packers 27 - Bills 20.

Go Pack Go!!!

2018 NFL Week 3: Packers vs. Redskins Preview & Prediction

How are we feeling today, Packer fans? Still a bit mixed feelings after last week's tie with the ViQueens? Yes, we can all relate to that. The Packers had all sorts of opportunities to put that one away, but the Packers defense couldn't stop a hot Minnesota offense in the second half. And relying for so many points off the typically sure-footed Mason Crosby...well, at some point that will come back to haunt you. And it did. Not his fault.

Having said that, let's recall that the Green Bay Packers are still undefeated. Yay. Does that tell us anything about today's game at Washington? Well, the Pack put up 46 points in the first two games against two of the better defenses they will probably face all season. Washington isn't close on that front. The 'skins lost to the Colts at home last weekend in an uninspired effort.

Packers RB Aaron Jones
(Photo: Jim Matthews/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin/@jmatthe79)

The Packers get RB Aaron Jones back off his two-game suspension, although head coach Mike McCarthy insists that he's going to have to work his way back into the lineup. We'll see how that goes. Given that he's the only explosive back they have on the roster, and with the disparity between run and pass in the first two games at 38 to 87 respectively, a gimpy Aaron Rodgers could use a little relief from the pass-happy approach of the first two games. Of course, it will always skew to the pass game as long as Rodgers is at QB and McCarthy is coach. That's OK. But a greater balance would sure help, as well as a home run threat coming out of the backfield. Jones may well have to get his game legs and timing together. But the only way to do that is to feed him the ball. Let's hope that happens a lot today.

Anyway, a lot could be said but lack of time spares you, dear reader, from having to labor through that amount of verbiage. Washington does have Alex Smith at QB and the venerable Adrian Peterson at RB. That means things can happen if the Pack's D once again decides to sleepwalk.

Still, Washington is not of the calibre of either Chicago or Minnesota.

Our Prediction

The Packers are favored by 3 points heading into this game. We expect them to exceed that.

We're calling it Packers 31 - Redskins 24.

Go Pack Go!!!

Packers lose at Washington and other Thanksgiving musings

So, Packer fans...we've had to let the debacle in D.C. pass for a few days before writing about it. You know, the Sunday night fiasco in which the Pack was exposed in ways we didn't imagine were possible. But possible it was...and is going forward, too, with no relief immediately in sight.

Let's look at the reality of it, shall? The Packers' injuries -- which all teams admittedly experience throughout the course of a long season -- have particularly impacted the defense. Hence our witnessing something on the order of a billion points or so being given up during this current losing streak. Well, OK, perhaps not a billion points, but certainly of sieve-like proportions. The result is a secondary lacking coverage speed and teams going deep for huge gains time after time. The linebacking corps has now also been hit, with the real possibility that Clay Matthews may have to slide back inside because of the lack of depth at that position now with injuries to Jake Ryan and Blake Martinez. The lack of pass rush from the defensive line, however, is hard to figure out. It's somewhat inexplicable, although explanations are offered in the form of coaching catch-phrases on the order of "We'll get it fixed." With no pass rush, and the other issues on defense, getting it fixed isn't something we're likely to see any time soon.

As for the offense, it is finally putting up some points. But the slow starts and the playing from behind mode in which the offense has been operating for most of this season also doesn't bode well. The woes on the offensive side of the ball are well documented, chief among them no running game and receivers who fail to get open. Plus there's the Aaron Rodgers question: what is up with Number 12? He's put up some good numbers the last few weeks in losing efforts but something still doesn't seem right as evidenced by the 9-12 record going back through 21 games into last season.

A team that was a pre-season pick to go to and possibly win the Super Bowl, a team that was favored to win every game it would play, this team is now two games behind in the NFC North with six games to go. Making the playoffs seems like an impossibility at the moment; only two teams in the NFC are behind the Packers at this point: Chicago and San Francisco. How's that for a reality check? Ewwww!!! Lot of teams are ahead of the Pack. Winning the division will be the only sure bet to get into the playoffs and anyone who would put his/her money on that happening this season...well, I have some marshland in central Wisconsin I'd like to sell you.

Still things to be thankful for today
Still, it's Thanksgiving. And despite all the woes which the Packers are dealing with this season, this writer, for one, is still able to give thanks that I am a fan of the most-storied franchise in football: the Green Bay Packers. I'm thankful that I am an owner of this team...yup, a shareholder in the only community-owned team in American professional sports. I'm thankful for all the wins, all the great players, all the magical moment. Yes, not too happy at present with the state of things. But we need to take the long view. When we do, we can all say proudly...Go Pack Go!!!

NFL 2016 Week 11: Packers vs. Washington Preview and Prediction

The Green Bay Packers take on Washington in a little more than an hour from this writing. Will the Pack get back to .500 (5-5) with a win? Or will another wheel fall off and see the Packers go to 4-6 on the season. The oddsmakers are projecting the latter, with the Pack being a 3-point underdog.

Among Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel sports writers making projections, three out of four picked Washington.

How are you feeling, Packer fans?

Packers announcer (and Packers Hall of Fame member) Larry McCarren says in his scouting report that he likes the Washington team he sees. He notes they are a better team than the one the Pack defeated last year during their playoff run. They have a decent quarterback in Kirk Cousins, some very good receivers and tight ends who can stretch the field (oh-oh) and a servicable pass rush on defense. McCarren's scouting report also noted that Washington does leave some openings over the middle and in the defensive backfield. So if Aaron Rodgers is able to find open receivers -- a problem for the Packers in recent games, true -- the Packers should be able to hold up in the scoring department. Getting TE Jared Cook back for some plays, as well as newly-acquired running back Christine Michael in the mix in a limited way, may provide a few tools for Rodgers that he hasn't had available in a while.

The big question mark, though, as it has been the last three games, is the Packers defense. Giving up the huge point totals, and with slow starts to boot, has killed this team in each of those games. If that doesn't change tonight, there is not much chance the Pack will come out on top given what we've been witnessing. The defense should get a boost from the suspected return of Clay Matthews. The Packers also signed LB Carl Bradford off the practice squad, releasing TE Justin Perillo to make room on the roster, but if Bradford has to see extended duty tonight you know things are not going well.

OLB Clay Matthews is expected to return
to action tonight against Washington.
Photo by Rick Wood, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The Prediction
The Packers need this game to stay one game back of both Detroit and Minnesota who each won today and are now 6-4 on the season. They also need this game to restore some of their confidence, individually and collectively. Can they? We hope so. Will they? We don't think so.

Regrettably, we're calling this game 31-24 in favor of Washington.

That doesn't stop us, though, from saying...Go Pack Go!!!