By STEVE MEGARGEE AP Sports Writer
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Jordan Love threw for 292 yards and two touchdowns, and the Green Bay Packers defeated the Washington Commanders, 27-18, on Thursday night.
Tight end Tucker Kraft caught six passes for a career-high 124 yards to help the Packers start a season 2-0 for the first time since 2020. Love and Kraft connected for an 8-yard touchdown with 8:57 left to thwart the Commanders’ comeback attempt.
Love went 19 of 31 to lead a Green Bay offense that was playing without injured linemen Zach Tom and Aaron Banks. Love’s other touchdown pass was a 5-yarder to Romeo Doubs in the first quarter.
Washington (1-1) gained just 11 yards in the first quarter and didn’t reach the end zone until scoring a pair of touchdowns in the final period. This could be a costly defeat for the Commanders, as running back Austin Ekeler injured his right Achilles tendon in the fourth quarter and defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr. was carted off the field with a quadriceps injury in the second period.
Jayden Daniels was 24 of 42 for 200 yards with touchdown passes of 20 yards to Zach Ertz and 10 yards to Deebo Samuel.
The Packers have won their last seven home matchups with Washington, which hasn’t beaten Green Bay on the road since a 20-17 victory at Milwaukee County Stadium in 1988. Washington’s last win at Lambeau Field was a 16-7 decision in 1986.
Green Bay built a 14-3 halftime lead by putting together two touchdown drives of 90-plus yards.
Doubs’ touchdown capped a seven-play, 96-yard drive that included a 57-yard completion to Kraft, plus a 14-yard scramble by Love on third-and-9 from Washington’s 19.
Josh Jacobs made it 14-0 with a 2-yard touchdown run to finish a 10-play, 92-yard march that featured a 37-yard completion to Malik Heath, who did an outstanding job of keeping both feet inbounds while making a catch at Washington’s sideline. Jacobs finished with 84 yards on 23 carries.
Washington gained 23 yards on its first three series before getting on the board with a 51-yard field goal from Matt Gay, who later missed kicks of 58 and 52 yards.
After Brandon McManus’ 22-yard field goal made it 17-3 in the third quarter, Washington cut the margin to 17-10 on Ertz’s touchdown catch with 13:45 remaining. But the Packers reached the end zone on their next series, and McManus added a 56-yard field goal later in the fourth quarter.
Samuel’s touchdown closed the scoring with 2:53 left.
INJURIES
Commanders: Tight end John Bates and wide receiver Noah Brown left with groin injuries. Cornerback Jonathan Jones hurt his hamstring.
Packers: Offensive tackle Zach Tom (quadriceps) and guard Aaron Banks (ankle/groin) didn’t play. Wide receiver Jayden Reed injured his shoulder in the first quarter while making a 33-yard touchdown catch that was nullified by a penalty.
SALUTING SHARPE
The Packers honored wide receiver and 2025 Hall of Fame inductee Sterling Sharpe in a halftime ceremony. Sharpe played for the Packers from 1988-94.
UP NEXT
The Commanders host Las Vegas on Sept. 21.
The Packers visit Cleveland on Sept. 21.
