LANDOVER — The Washington Commanders suffered their first loss of the 2025 season on September 11, dropping a 27-18 decision to the Green Bay Packers on Thursday Night Football at Lambeau Field. The game exposed offensive struggles, defensive lapses, and a wave of injuries, leaving the team at 1-1 as they prepare for a Week 3 home matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders on September 21. Despite the setback, the Commanders’ 10-day break offers a chance to regroup in a region where football fervor runs deep.

Missed Opportunities Define Offensive Struggles

The Commanders’ offense faltered under pressure from Green Bay’s aggressive defense, missing key opportunities to close the gap. Kicker Matt Gay’s two missed field goals—a 58-yarder at the end of the first half and a 52-yarder early in the third—proved costly, leaving six points on the field. These misses kept Washington at three points through halftime, allowing the Packers to maintain a 14-3 lead. A dropped pass by Noah Brown at the Packers’ 43-yard line and a stalled drive after Deebo Samuel’s 50-yard kickoff return, which gained just 10 yards in seven plays, further hampered momentum.

Quarterback Jayden Daniels faced relentless pressure, sacked four times and hit 12 times, resulting in a QBR of 26.9, his second-lowest ever. Daniels completed 24 of 42 passes for 200 yards, with two late touchdowns to Zach Ertz (20 yards) and Samuel (10 yards). The Packers’ defensive front, led by Micah Parsons, disrupted Daniels’ rhythm, limiting his scrambling to 17 yards on seven carries. “I just felt like we didn’t find the rhythm that we needed to, really from jump street,” Head Coach Dan Quinn said postgame.

Defensive Bright Spots Amid Costly Errors

The Commanders’ defense showed resilience, keeping the game within reach despite Green Bay’s 404 total yards. Rookie cornerback Trey Amos made a diving pass breakup on fourth down, preventing a Packers touchdown. The unit forced three punts and held Green Bay to a field goal inside the 5-yard line in the third quarter. However, explosive plays haunted Washington, with Green Bay scoring on 96- and 92-yard drives fueled by a 57-yard pass to Tucker Kraft and a 37-yard catch by Malik Heath. Kraft’s 124 yards on six receptions, including an 8-yard touchdown, exposed coverage gaps.

The defense allowed 135 rushing yards on 30 carries, with Josh Jacobs scoring a 2-yard touchdown. Two holding penalties on cornerback Marshon Lattimore and missed tackles compounded issues, allowing Green Bay to capitalize at critical moments. “We gave up some things that we didn’t want to, more points than what we wanted to, but we made them earn everything,” Packers defensive end Micah Parsons said.

Injuries Compound the Loss

Injuries piled up, threatening the Commanders’ depth. Running back Austin Ekeler suffered a non-contact Achilles injury in the fourth quarter, potentially sidelining him long-term. Defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr. was carted off with a quadriceps injury during an extra-point attempt. Wide receiver Noah Brown (groin), tight end John Bates (groin), cornerback Jonathan Jones (hamstring), offensive tackle Brandon Coleman, and Amos also sustained injuries, with Brown and Bates ruled out during the game. “It’s gonna be a big loss, but we got guys that gotta step up,” Daniels said of Ekeler’s injury. Quinn promised updates at his Friday press conference.

Perspective for the Season Ahead

The loss highlighted areas for growth, particularly for an offense still gelling after limited training camp time. The defense, despite new additions, showed promise but needs consistency against top-tier opponents. With 15 games remaining, Quinn emphasized resilience: “We missed the mark tonight.” The Commanders face a tougher 2025 schedule, with matchups against teams like the Philadelphia Eagles looming.

Looking to Week 3

The Commanders host the Las Vegas Raiders (1-1) at 1 p.m. on September 21, leveraging their mini-bye to address injuries and refine strategies. Daniels, who roomed with Packers quarterback Jordan Love during the offseason, will aim to regain his Week 1 form, where Washington rushed for 220 yards against the Giants. The Raiders, coming off a Monday night game, face a short week, potentially giving Washington an edge. “We got 10 days until our next game, so it’s nothing to dwell about,” Daniels said.

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