Last week, I threw out three bold predictions for the Green Bay Packers' season opener and came close to hitting on two of them. Micah Parsons cleaned up with a late sack to knock me back down to one. The one that hit was the one I was most confident in, as the Packers held Detroit to its lowest rushing total since 2023.
Let’s run it back for Week 2 as the Packers host the Washington Commanders, who come in for a Thursday night matchup after handling business against the New York Giants. The Commanders have a few new faces, but as a representative in the NFC Championship last year, they're a great early-season measuring stick for Green Bay as their expectations continue to rise.
Here are three more bold predictions the Packers can pull off as they shoot for their second home win of the young season.
Bold predictions that could shape Packers' Week 2 showdown
1. Packers get Jayden Daniels' first interception of the season
While Jayden Daniels was sacked three times by the Giants' impressive front in the season opener, he did a great job of protecting the ball. New York may have one of the better pass-rushing units in the NFL, but they A. don't have Micah Parsons, and B. they're still the Giants.
Green Bay proved the symbiotic nature of their defense in Week 1 against the Lions, and they stand to replicate the performance against the Commanders. I anticipate the Packers will put even more pressure on Daniels than New York did, and they'll be able to force him into a hurried mistake - his first of the young season.
2. Packers hold Jacory Croskey-Merritt under 50 yards
After ending the preseason with a full-fledged hype train of momentum, rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt averaged 8.2 yards per carry in his NFL debut, finishing with 82 yards on 10 carries. Green Bay's defense will give him a more proper introduction to life as an NFL running back.
Last week, Green Bay's front, thanks in large part to the performance of Edgerrin Cooper, held the Lions to under 50 yards on the ground. That was assisted by the offense putting points on the board — but we'll get to that in a minute.
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Green Bay's defense is currently tied for the league lead in rushing yards allowed with the Cleveland Browns. The Commanders are second in the NFL in rushing. Washington attacks from all angles, so I'm focusing on their ability to slow down the rookie instead. Still, if the Packers can put in another great performance against the run, they'll be in great shape to establish themselves as one of the best run defenses in the NFL.
3. Packers' offense scores three touchdowns for the second-straight week
Green Bay scored three touchdowns last week, and Washington didn't allow a single touchdown themselves. The Commanders' defense is good, but the Packers' offense is leagues ahead of the Giants'.
Still, the Giants' wide receivers found some space in the secondary, and I expect Green Bay's wealth at the position will allow them to do the same. It's one thing to focus on Malik Nabers and keep an eye on Wan'Dale Robinson. It's another to spread attention across all of the Packers' weapons.
Washington's defense will put up more of a fight than Detroit's did in Week 1, but I still expect Green Bay's offense to keep the momentum pushing forward to build on a great performance in the opener.