Maybe it’s a little too early to start comparing this Green Bay Packers defense to the ’96 squad that brought the Lombardi Trophy home. But after watching them dismantle another top-tier NFC team, you have to wonder if history is repeating itself. Fresh off smothering the Detroit Lions in Week 1, the Packers put on another defensive masterclass against the Washington Commanders on Thursday night, cruising to a 27-18 victory.
The game wasn’t as close as the final score suggests. By the time the second quarter rolled around and the Packers were up 14-0, they were outgaining Washington by a ridiculous 243-43 margin. It was a complete beatdown. This is a Commanders team that made it all the way to the NFC championship last year, and Green Bay made them look like they were still in preseason form.
If you’re looking for a turning point, look no further than the arrival of Micah Parsons.
The Micah Parsons Effect is Real
When the Packers traded for Micah Parsons right before the season, nobody knew exactly what to expect. Two games in, it’s clear he’s the spark plug this defense desperately needed.
Sure, the stat sheet might not jump out at you—just two tackles and half a sack. But if you watched the game, you saw his dominance. He was a one-man wrecking crew, drawing penalties and living in the Commanders’ backfield. It felt like every time Jayden Daniels dropped back to pass, Parsons was there to greet him. This energy seemed to fire up the entire Green Bay Packers’ defense. Guys like Rashan Gary and Devonte Wyatt were flying around, making plays and shutting down everything Washington tried to do.
A Glimpse of Offensive Potential
While the defense was busy putting on a show, the Green Bay Packers offense showed flashes of its own potential. Jordan Love and company racked up over 400 yards, and despite leaving some points on the field, there were more positives than negatives.
Love was mostly sharp, even after losing receiver Jayden Reed to a collarbone injury in the first half. He connected on some big throws, and the tight end duo of Tucker Kraft and Luke Musgrave looked unstoppable, combining for 156 yards. Kraft, in particular, is quickly turning into one of the league’s best.
It wasn’t a perfect night. An early fourth-down failure and a missed field goal kept the game from being a total blowout. The offensive line, patched together due to injuries, struggled at times. But when the Commanders started to crawl back into the game in the fourth quarter, the offense answered with a touchdown drive that sealed the win.
This Green Bay Packers’ team isn’t a finished product, especially on offense. But through two weeks, one thing is certain: with a defense this dominant, the Green Bay Packers look like the team to beat in the NFC.
