It’s the good guys in all-white…the Winter Warning is upon us, again. Tonight is a matchup of playoff teams from a season ago. The Commanders were the surprise of the 2024 season much like the Packers of the 2023, except they won their Divisional Round matchup at the 1-seeded Lions while Green Bay fell to the eventual NFC champion 49ers.

Week 2 Matchup

The Commanders struggled early with the New York Giants. Washington was able to control the game, but New York was in it for much of the matchup. Their defense shut down the G-men, however, Russell Wilson was complicit. Both defenses put forth good showings, however Green Bay’s was far more impressive as it came against 2024’s #1 offense.

Yes, this is only 1 game’s worth of statistics, so the sample size is as small as it can be, but it’s important to show what’s been done. Washington was able to run the ball while Green Bay passed the first test without Kenny Clark. This will be another test and holding Washington’s offense will first come from stopping the run. If play action is there for the taking, 2^nd year QB, Jayden Daniels, will have the weapon of his choosing – whether it’s passing to a wide open receiver or taking off and ripping off huge chunks of yardage with his legs. He’s as dangerous a runner at QB as Lamar Jackson, and he might be more accurate. Generating pressure, quick pressure that is, will be paramount, but keeping the rush lane integrity will be just as important. There likely will be less stunts (D linemen shifting across the line to free up other rushers to penetrate) and more pure bull and speed rushes from the outside. Ideally, if the middle can generate a rush while the edges keep contain, that’s where you can get Daniels off his game and you can stifle this Commanders offense.

The other item, we always talk about, are turnovers. Generating them and not giving the football away. This is a great matchup and I fully expect each of these teams to make the playoffs once again, likely each winning at least a game. Whichever QB plays better (again, almost as always) their team will win the game…that comes with taking care of the ball (no turnovers).

Prediction Time

Season: 0-1
Overall: 107-70 (.605)