Game Recap Week 2 – Washington Commanders at Green Bay Packers
September 12, 2025
By Noonefromtampa
Washington loses to Green Bay 27-18
First Quarter
The Packers started the game on offense and controlled the ball most of the first quarter. Their first drive ended in a turnover on downs thanks to a touchdown being called back on a holding penalty and a great knockdown of another potential touchdown pass by Trey Amos.
Washington went on an uninspired three and out, but Tress Way overcame his back injury tk pin the Packers at their own 4-yard line. The Packers drove 96 yards for the touchdown. Tucker Kraft caught passes for 15 and 57 yards while Jordan Love ran for 14 yards. Romeo Doubs caught the 5-yard touchdown pass.
Washington’s next drive was killed by an illegal use of hands by Nick Allegretti on Micah Parsons, leading to another three and out and Way punt.
Second Quarter
Washington’s defense faired better, with Jacob Martin sacking Love forcing a Green Bay three and out. However, the Commanders’ offense gained only 12 yards and one first down before having to punt again.
The Packers challenged an incomplete call down the sidelines which was reversed giving Malik Heath a 37-yard reception. Two other chuck plays of 17 yards were made with catches by Doubs and Kraft. Josh Jacobs ran for the last 7 yards on two rushing plays for the touchdown, giving the Packers a 14-0 lead.
The next Washington drive was the best so far in the game. They gained 37 yards with Terry McLaurin hauling in a bobbling 14-yard catch and Noah Brown with a 9-yard reception. The drive ended at the Green Bay 33, with a Matt Gay 51-yard field goal, cutting the lead to 14-3.
Aided by another holding penalty, Washington was able to force Green Bay to punt after an incompletion on third down. Jaylin Lane had a 24-yard punt return. The Commanders were able to gain only 22 yards, and Gay missed the 58-yard field goal. The Packers moved 22 yards in the other direction giving Brandon McManus a shot at a 48-yard field goal attempt which he doinked off the left upright.
Third Quarter
Deebo Samuel returned the second half kickoff 50 yards to the Green Bay 44-yard line. Washington was only able to net 10 yards, taking a third down sack after picking up one first down. Gay doinked the 52-yard field goal attempt off the right upright.
Love started the next drive with a 23 yard completion to Luke Musgrave. Even with the Packers at first and twenty-five, Washington could not stop Green Bay’s offense. A 19 yard completion to Kraft put Green Bay in the red zone again, but the defense held forcing a 22 yard field goal to make the lead 17-3.
Washington responded with a three and out. A good Way punt and a penalty put the Packers at the own 9 yard line to start their next drive. After converting a fourth down and one, Washington was aided by a defensive holding call against Zack Ertz which gave Washington another first down on fourth down.
Fourth Quarter
McLaurin caught a pass for 11 yards and then Ertz then caught a pass on the delay out route and took it 20 yards for a touchdown. Gay converted the extra point to cut the lead to 17-10.
Green Bay went to the run game on the next drive, picking up 35 yards on the ground. This set up an 8 yard touchdown pass to a wide-open Kraft in the endzone. Green Bay took a 24-10 lead.
Washington could not convert a fourth and four turning the ball over on downs at their own 41 yard line. The Packers only gained 2 yards, but McManus nailed the 56 yard field goal for a 27-10 lead.
Washington responded with a 67 yard touchdown drive and a successful two-point conversion to Luke McCaffrey. McCaffrey also had a 19 gyard reception on the drive.
Thoughts
Washington looked like they expected to play the Giants again with a lackluster effort in the first half.
Amos and Brandon Coleman both left the game with injuries, but both returned later in the game. Deatrich Wise appeared to suffer a serious leg injury on an extra point and was carted off the field. Austin Ekeler was helped off the field late in the fourth quarter with a lower leg injury.
Kliff Kingbury did not have any answers for Green Bay’s defense or pass rush. The offense looked completely out of sync the whole game. The run game was non-existent much of the game.
Joe Whitt and the defense had issues covering the tight end Kraft who seemed to find open seams in the defense at will. The tackling was also poor with many yards after the catch being given up by defenders.
On special teams, Gay missed two 50+ field goal attempts.