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Packers, Jordan Love shine vs. Commanders in Thursday night game

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The first ‘Thursday Night Football’ matchup of the 2025 NFL season on Prime between two NFC championship contenders did not disappoint.

The Green Bay Packers and Washington Commanders kicked off Week 2 with both sides looking for a statement win.

The home team dominated from start to finish, ultimately winning 27-18.

Parsons made his presence felt all night. Meanwhile, Jordan Love and the Packers offense were able to move the ball methodically throughout the night. Love finished with 292 yards and two passing touchdowns. Tucker Kraft contributed in a big way with a team-high 6 grabs for 124 yards and a touchdown.

The Packers put the rest of the NFL on notice tonight and USA TODAY Sports tracked the action from Thursday night’s Packers vs. Commanders game. Below is a look at the highlights and notable moments from the contest.

Final score: Packers 27, Commanders 18

Commanders fail to convert fourth-and-10, Packers take over

Down two scores, the Commanders went for it on fourth down but failed to convert. Green Bay will take over with 52 seconds remaining and kneel the clock out the rest of the way.

Packers forced to punt, setting up Commanders for 2-minute drill

The Commanders forced the Packers into a 3-and-out. Washington’s drive starts at its own 20-yard line with 1:47 left in the game. The visitors are in desperation mode, down two scores.

Deebo Samuel scores TD, Commanders cut into Packers lead

Washington refuses to go down without a fight. Jayden Daniels led the offense down the field 65 yards in 10 plays. The drive ended with Daniels connecting with Samuel on a 5-yard pass, and then the Commanders attempted a two-point conversion that was successful with a catch by Luke McCaffrey.

On the ensuing kickoff, the Commanders attempted an unsuccessful onside kick. Green Bay will start its next drive on its own 48-yard line with 2:53 remaining.

Packers 27, Commanders 18

Packers extend lead with Brandon McManus long field goal

The Packers failed to run more time off the clock but after forcing the turnover on downs were already in field goal range.

Matt LaFleur sent McManus onto the field and the veteran kicker nailed a 56-yard attempt. Green Bay has extended the lead to 17 with 6:42 left in the fourth quarter.

Packers 27, Commanders 10

Commanders go for it on fourth-and-4, fail to convert

The Commanders are feeling the pressure to keep up with the Packers and went for it on fourth down. Jayden Daniels attempted a pass to Jaylin Lane on fourth-and-4, but the pass fell incomplete with Keisean Nixon in tight coverage.

After the incompletion and a turnover on downs, Green Bay takes over on Washington’s 40-yard line with 7:42 to go.

Packers respond with Tucker Kraft TD, extend lead 24-10

The Packers methodically moved the ball down the field on Washington. Driving 65 yards resulting in an 8-yard touchdown catch by tight end Tucker Kraft. He adds to his big night with 6 receptions for 124 yards and a score.

Packers 24, Commanders 10

Zach Ertz hauls in Commanders first TD of the game, trailing 17-10

Jayden Daniels connected with his 34-year-old tight end for a 20-yard touchdown as the Commanders find the end zone for the first time tonight. Ertz is Washington’s leading receiver in the game to this point with four receptions for 49 yards and a score. Matt Gay’s extra point attempt is good, cutting the lead to seven with 13:45 to go in the fourth quarter.

Packers 17, Commanders 10

End of third quarter: Commanders driving but trail 17-3

The Packers put a long drive together on their first drive of the second half, but weren’t able to find the end zone after creating a goal-to-go opportunity. They settled for a short field goal by Brandon McManus and extended their lead.

Meanwhile, Jayden Daniels and Washington is driving into Green Bay territory entering the final quarter. Two plays before the end of the quarter, Washington went for it on 4th and 7. A defensive holding penalty awarded Washington an automatic first down. They have the ball on Green Bay’s 32-yard line to open the fourth quarter.

Commanders defense answers, forces Packers into 3-and-out

After Washington’s offense went 3-and-out, the Commanders defense managed to get a quick stop of their own. Jaylin Lane had another solid return, so Jayden Daniels and Co. will get the ball near midfield, trailing by 14 with 3:31 left in the third quarter.

Commanders go 3-and-out, punt ball back to Packers

Washington remains unable to move the ball on offense. The Commanders gained just seven yards on the drive and gave the ball back to the Packers, who are leading by 14 with 5:07 left in the third quarter.

Green Bay has thus far outgained Washington 343-99 in a thoroughly dominant performance.

Packers extend lead with Brandon McManus chip-shot field goal

The Packers ran 5:17 off the clock on their first drive of the second half, but weren’t able to find the end zone after creating a goal-to-go opportunity.

Matt LaFleur marched McManus onto the field and the veteran nailed a 22-yard kick. That extended Green Bay’s lead back to 14 with 6:37 left in the third quarter.

Packers 17, Commanders 3

Matt Gay doinks 52-yard field goal for second straight miss

The Commanders once again got into scoring range but couldn’t convert. After missing to the left, Gay overcorrected, launching his latest 52-yard kick off the right upright.

The Packers defense deserves credit for forcing Washington into another long field goal attempt. Edgerrin Cooper and Micah Parsons got to Jayden Daniels on a third-and-medium and brought him down for a shared sack.

Deatrich Wise injury update

Like Reed, Wise has been ruled out for the remainder of the game because of a quad injury.

Jayden Reed injury update: Packers WR ruled out

Reed’s absence should create more opportunities for Romeo Doubs, Matthew Golden and Dontavyion Wicks at receiver while tight end Tucker Kraft could also see more looks.

Who is the Packers defensive coordinator?

Jeff Hafley is the Packers defensive coordinator. The 46-year-old is in his second year in the role after vacating his post as Boston College’s head coach to take on the job.

The Packers ranked fifth in the NFL in defensive EPA per play in 2024. They allowed the fifth-fewest yards and the sixth-fewest points in the NFL.

Jordan Love stats at halftime

Love had a terrific first half against the Commanders, logging the most passing yards in a first half of a game in his career. Below is a look at his stats from the first two quarters:

Completions/attempts (%): 13/18 (72.2%)
Passing yards: 214
Passing TDs: 1
INTs: 0
Yards/attempt: 11.9
Rating: 130.3

Love also ran for 14 yards on his lone scramble of the first half.

Jayden Daniels stats at halftime

Daniels settled for a lot of checkdowns early in the game and has been held in check by the Packers for the most part. Below is a look at his stats from the first two quarters:

Completions/attempts (%): 9/15 (60%)
Passing yards: 49
Passing TDs: 0
INTs: 0
Rating: 65.7

Daniels is also the Commanders’ leading rusher with 14 yards on three carries.

Halftime score update: Packers lead 14-3 after Brandon McManus clanks 48-yarder off upright

The Packers had a chance to extend their lead to an even 14 point before halftime. However, McManus’ kick doinked off the left upright, meaning the teams traded missed field goals to end the first half.

Green Bay has outgained Washington 274-82 through two quarters, with Jordan Love passing for 214 yards and a touchdown and Josh Jacobs adding 42 yards and a score on the ground.

The Commanders started slowly, but Jayden Daniels has showed signs of life on recent drives, twice getting Washington into long field goal range. Dan Quinn’s team will get the ball back to start the second half and will look to cut into Green Bay’s 11-point lead.

Packers 14, Commanders 3

Matt Gay misses 58-yard field goal with 14 seconds in first half

Gay’s first field goal attempt from 51 yards just snuck inside the left upright. His second curled outside it, giving the Packers the ball back just shy of midfield with 14 seconds and three timeouts left before halftime.

Packers forced to punt, setting up Commanders for 2-minute drill

The Commanders forced the Packers into a 3-and-out thanks, in part, to a John FitzPatrick holding penalty on a second-and-short. A nice, 24-yard punt return by Jaylin Lane sets Washington up at the 43-yard line, positioning them to get into scoring range before halftime.

Commanders get on board with 51-yard Matt Gay field goal

The Commanders are finally on the board. Jayden Daniels and the Washington offense generated some momentum on their fourth drive, but they weren’t able to convert a third-and-5 to get closer to the red zone.

As a result, Gay matched on to try the 51-yard kick. He fit it inside the left upright to cut Washington’s deficit to 11 points.

Packers 14, Commanders 3

Is Luke McCaffrey related to Christian McCaffrey?

Yes, Luke McCaffrey is Christian McCaffrey’s younger brother. The younger McCaffrey was selected by the Commanders in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft and had 18 catches for 168 yards during his rookie season.

Deatrich Wise carted off the field after suffering leg injury

Wise suffered a nasty-looking injury on the extra point attempt following Green Bay’s second touchdown. The Commanders defender was attempting to block the field goal when, while jumping, he had a member of the Packers’ blocking unit roll on his right leg.

Wise was carted off because of the injury, apparently wearing a brace on his injured leg.

Josh Jacobs punches in 2-yard TD to cap 92-yard drive

For the second time tonight, the Packers have logged a touchdown drive longer than 92 yards. This time, Jacobs finished the drive with a powerful, 2-yard plunge to put Green Bay up two scores.

Brandon McManus made the extra point to extend Green Bay’s lead to 14.

Packers 14, Commanders 0

Malik Heath makes impressive toe-tap catch

Jordan Love lofted a deep pass to Heath down the left sideline. Originally, it was ruled that Heath had failed to make the catch in-bounds. After review, it was revealed Heath had gotten both of his feet down, resulting in a 37-yard completion.

Commanders punt again after Keisean Nixon knocks pass out of Noah Brown’s hands

Brown had a chance to make a first-down catch, but Nixon made a nice recovery on the play and managed to knock the ball out of his hands. Tress Way’s punt once again is downed inside the 10-yard line, so the Packers will start deep in their own territory.

Trey Amos injury update

The Commanders announced that Amos, a second-round rookie who is one of the team’s starting cornerbacks, is questionable to return with a shoulder injury.

End of first quarter: Packers set to punt but lead 7-0

The Packers weren’t able to do much on their third offensive drive, and are likely set to punt on fourth-and-4 from their own 30-yard line when the second quarter begins.

Thus far, Jordan Love has been the better of the two quarterbacks, completing 8 of 11 passes for 128 yards and a touchdown. He was sacked on the Packers’ most recent drive, but he has generally been well-protected despite being behind a Green Bay offensive line missing two starters (LG Aaron Banks and RT Zach Tom).

Jayden Daniels has completed all three of his passes, but he hasn’t been able to get the ball downfield. The Commanders have just 11 total yards of offense on six offensive plays and will need to create some more explosive plays to do damage against Jeff Hafley’s defense.

Commanders go 3-and-out for second time

So far, the Packers have done a good job of making Jayden Daniels and the Commanders offense look uncomfortable. Green Bay hasn’t allowed Washington to run the ball while Daniels has been forced to check the ball down on each of his three pass attempts so far.

Tress Way punts the ball back to the Packers, and Green Bay will have a chance to build on its seven-point lead.

Jordan Love hits Romeo Doubs for 5-yard TD to open scoring

The Packers started their second drive on their own 4-yard line. They marched 96 yards in seven plays, with Tucker Kraft’s 57-yard reception being the driving force behind their offensive success.

Green Bay capped off the drive with a 5-yard TD pass from Love to Doubs, during which the Packers bluffed like they were going to run it but dropped straight into a one-man route. Doubs got open on the slant while Brandon McManus’ extra point extended the Packers’ lead to 7.

Packers 7, Commanders 0

Jordan Love scrambles for 14 yards on third-and-9

Love didn’t run a lot during the 2024 NFL season while nursing a knee injury. He showed off his mobility early in Thursday’s game, running for 14 yards while impressively bouncing off a tackle to set up a goal-to-go opportunity.

What is on Romeo Doubs’ helmet?

Doubs is one of the NFL players who wears a Guardian Cap, a soft-shell helmet cover that is meant to help reduce concussions. Doubs has a history of concussions, so the Guardian Cap will add him an extra layer of security.

Why are the Packers wearing white today?

The Packers are wearing all white as part of their second annual ‘Winter Warning whiteout’ game. The uniform combination includes Green Bay’s alternate white helmet, which adds to the ‘blizzard’ effect the team is attempting to achieve.

Commanders go 3-and-out on first possession

The Commanders were unable to move the ball much on their first possession. Jayden Daniels was able to complete a couple of checkdowns to Austin Ekeler, but a loss of a few yards on a second-down sack prevented Washington from making the line to gain.

Tress Way launched an impressive 57-yard punt that backed up Matthew Golden to his own 4-yard line. Percy Butler was able to hit Golden as he caught the ball, meaning the Packers will have to start deep in their own territory on their second possession.

Jayden Reed injury update

Reed was injured on the Packers’ opening drive after making a touchdown catch that was wiped out by a penalty. He went to the ground hard and came up favoring his right shoulder.

Reed was able to walk off the field under his own power, but he wasn’t moving his arm much. The Packers didn’t immediately provide an update on the receiver’s condition.

Packers go for it on fourth-and-3, Trey Amos breaks up potential TD pass

After gaining 16 yards on a third-and-19 dump-off to running back Chris Brooks, Matt LaFleur decided to eschew a field goal and have his offense go for it on fourth-and-3. 

Jordan Love had first-round rookie Matthew Golden streaking open down the middle of the field, but fellow rookie defensive back Trey Amos managed to recover and knock the ball to the ground.

What time does Packers vs. Commanders start?

Start time: 8:15 p.m.

The Week 2 ‘Thursday Night Football’ matchup between Green Bay and Washington kicks off at 8:15 p.m. ET (7:15 p.m. CT).

What TV channel is Packers vs. Commanders on?

Green Bay market: WGBA-TV (NBC26)
Milwaukee market: WITI-TV (Fox 6)
Washington D.C. market: WTTG-TV (Fox 5)

For those in local markets, the game will air on NBC (Green Bay) and Fox (Milwaukee and Washington).

National viewers will have to stream the matchup on Amazon Prime Video, the home of ‘TNF.’

Watch ‘Thursday Night Football’ with Amazon Prime

Packers vs. Commanders odds, moneyline, O/U

Packers vs. Commanders prediction

Week 2 kicks off at historic Lambeau Field, a difficult place to play for visiting opponents. Both the Packers and Commanders are contenders this season and are coming off Week 1 victories. Green Bay’s defense was terrific against the Lions, holding Detroit to just 13 points. Meanwhile, the Commanders could be a bit undervalued after they made it look easy against the Giants last week. Still, they finished 20th in pass defense DVOA a season ago, and Jordan Love is healthy.

Green Bay is 4-1 against-the-spread (ATS) in its last five home games and is a 3-point favorite on Thursday night. The Packers defense held the Lions to a measly 2.1 yards per carry in Week 1. The Packers will slow down Jayden Daniels with the help of their newest addition, Micah Parsons, and get a statement win in primetime. –Tom Viera

Prediction: Packers 24, Commanders 20

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Packers vs. Commanders live stream

‘Thursday Night Football’ is only available to National viewers via streaming on Amazon Prime Video, the home of ‘TNF.’

Watch ‘Thursday Night Football’ with Amazon Prime

Who are the ‘Thursday Night Football’ announcers for Amazon Prime Video? 

Al Michaels (play-by-play) and Kirk Herbstreit (analyst) will be in the broadcast booth for Prime Video, with Kaylee Hartung (sideline) and Terry McAulay (rules analyst) providing additional coverage.  

The Prime Video pregame, halftime and postgame shows feature Charissa Thompson as host, as well as former NFL players Ryan Fitzpatrick, Tony Gonzalez, Richard Sherman and Andrew Whitworth as analysts.  

Taylor Rooks is the feature reporter for Prime Video’s ‘Thursday Night Football’ coverage. Albert Breer provides reports and analysis. 

NFC North standings 

Green Bay Packers (1-0) 
Minnesota Vikings (1-0) 
Chicago Bears (0-1) 
Detroit Lions (0-1) 

NFC East standings

Philadelphia Eagles (1-0) 
Washington Commanders (1-0) 
Dallas Cowboys (0-1) 
New York Giants (0-1) 

Packers inactives vs. Commanders

16 CB Bo Melton
39 S Zayne Anderson
50 OL Zach Tom
65 G Aaron Banks
89 TE Ben Sims
91 DL Warren Brinson

Commanders inactives vs. Packers

Jordan Love arrives for ‘Thursday Night Football’

NFL Week 1 final scores

Thursday, Sept. 4

Philadelphia Eagles 24, Dallas Cowboys 20

Friday, Sept. 5

Los Angeles Chargers 27, Kansas City Chiefs 21

Sunday, Sept. 7

Las Vegas Raiders 20, New England Patriots 13
Pittsburgh Steelers 34, New York Jets 32
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23, Atlanta Falcons 20
Indianapolis Colts 33, Miami Dolphins 8
Arizona Cardinals 20, New Orleans Saints 13
Washington Commanders 21, New York Giants 6
Cincinnati Bengals 17, Cleveland Browns 16
Jacksonville Jaguars 26, Carolina Panthers 10
San Francisco 49ers 17, Seattle Seahawks 13
Green Bay Packers 27, Detroit Lions 13
Los Angeles Rams 14, Houston Texans 9
Denver Broncos 20, Tennessee Titans 12
Buffalo Bills 41, Baltimore Ravens 40

Monday, Sept. 8

Minnesota Vikings 27, Chicago Bears 25

Micah Parsons trade details

Packers get:

EDGE Micah Parsons

Cowboys get

DL Kenny Clark
2026 first-round pick
2027 first-round pick

The Green Bay Packers pulled off a stunning blockbuster when they acquired Micah Parsons from the Dallas Cowboys on eve of the 2025 NFL season. Parsons was embroiled in a contract dispute with the Cowboys and had requested a trade away from the club. However, many believed the 26-year-old edge rusher’s request was just a negotiating tactic and that a deal would eventually be struck between the two sides.

Instead, Dallas sent Parsons to Green Bay just seven days before the Cowboys opened their season against the Philadelphia Eagles. – Jacob Camenker

Which NFL team has the most Super Bowl wins? 

The Steelers are tied with the New England Patriots for the most Super Bowl wins with six. 

Pittsburgh and Dallas have the unique distinction of playing each other more than any other team combination in Super Bowl history with three matchups. 

NFL MVP odds 2025

1. QB Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills (+300)
2. QB Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens (+400)
3. QB Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals (+900)
T4. QB Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs (+1000)
T4. QB Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders (+1000)
6. QB Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers (+1200)
7. QB Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers (+1400)
8. QB Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles (+1500)
9. QB Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+3000)

Oldest players in NFL in 2025 

Just three players in the 2025 NFL player pool are 40 years old or older: Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Jets kicker Nick Folk, and Browns quarterback Joe Flacco. 

Rodgers will turn 42 during the season, with a birthday coming the first week in December. 

Here’s the full list of the oldest players in football: 

QB Aaron Rodgers, Steelers: 41 years old (Dec. 2, 1983) 
K Matt Prater, Bills: 41 years old (Aug. 10, 1984) 
K Nick Folk, Jets: 40 years old (Nov. 5, 1984) 
QB Joe Flacco, Browns: 40 years old (Jan. 16, 1985) 
C/LS J.J. Jansen, Panthers: 39 years old (Jan. 20, 1986) 
C/LS Jon Weeks, 49ers: 39 years old (Feb. 17, 1986) 
P Thomas Morstead, 49ers: 39 years old (March 8, 1986) 
C/LS Morgan Cox, Titans: 39 years old (April 26, 1986) 
QB Josh Johnson, Commanders: 39 years old (May 15, 1986) 
DL Calais Campbell, Cardinals: 39 years old (Sept. 1, 1986) 

Super Bowl odds

1. Buffalo Bills (+600)
2. Baltimore Ravens (+650)
3. Philadelphia Eagles (+700)
4. Green Bay Packers (+800)
5. Kansas City Chiefs (+1200)
6. Detroit Lions (+1700)
7. San Francisco 49ers (+1800)
T8. Cincinnati Bengals (+2000)
T8. Los Angeles Chargers (+2000)
T8. Los Angeles Rams (+2000)
T8. Washington Commanders (+2000)

Micah Parsons takes the field for his second Packers game

How old is Al Michaels?

Michaels, who is once again serving as the play-by-play voice of Amazon Prime’s ‘Thursday Night Football,’ is 80 years old. He will turn 81 in November and has worked on network sports television since 1971.

Where did Jayden Daniels go to college?

Daniels originally attended Arizona State but transferred to LSU for his final two seasons.

Daniels completed 72.2% of his passes for 3,812 yards, 40 touchdowns and four interceptions in his final season with the Tigers in 2023. He also ran for 1,134 yards and 10 touchdowns while winning the Heisman Trophy.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY