Packers vs Commanders: Thursday Night Football preview, odds, and how to watch on DAZN

Game preview, key storylines, and odds

Two teams with January ambitions dive straight into a pressure spot on a short week. The Green Bay Packers welcome the Washington Commanders to Lambeau Field for Week 2 Thursday Night Football, kicking off at 8:15 p.m. ET on Thursday, September 11, 2025. Both arrive 1-0 after convincing openers: Washington handled the Giants 21-6, while Green Bay took care of the Lions 27-13.

Oddsmakers opened Green Bay at -1.5 and quickly moved the line to Packers -3, with a total of 49. On the moneyline, Green Bay sits around -172 with Washington at +145. The shift toward the home side suggests early confidence in the Packers’ offense sustaining its Week 1 pop and the Lambeau advantage on a short turnaround.

The recent trajectory adds juice. Washington went 12-5 last year and reached the NFC Championship Game. The Packers finished 11-6 before bowing out in the Wild Card Round. The all-time series leans Green Bay (22-17-1), but Washington took the last meeting in 2023—and hasn’t won at Lambeau since 1986. That drought is a real talking point for a young Commanders team trying to prove its road toughness.

Jordan Love looked decisive and aggressive in Week 1, spreading the ball to a deep receiver group and leaning into Matt LaFleur’s play-action rhythm. Expect more quick-game timing routes paired with shot plays off motion. Tight end Tucker Kraft’s role continues to rise; he’s a reliable middle-of-the-field outlet who can punish zone coverage and keep the chains moving on third down.

Across the field, Jayden Daniels’ second season is already drawing attention. He’s cleaner in his reads, more comfortable setting protections, and still dangerous as a runner. Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury’s spacing concepts help simplify windows and get his playmakers one-on-one. Terry McLaurin remains Daniels’ trusted target, while Austin Ekeler’s versatility lets Washington toggle between tempo and ball control without changing personnel.

The line of scrimmage likely decides this. Green Bay invested heavily in its front, and the headline new arrival, Micah Parsons, changes the pass-rush math on every snap. His presence forces protection shifts and opens lanes for teammates to win one-on-ones. If Washington’s tackles can keep the pocket clean—and if Daniels keeps his internal clock sharp—the Commanders can stress Green Bay with quarterback keepers, option looks, and quick flats to Ekeler.

On the flip side, Washington’s defense under head coach Dan Quinn is built on speed and takeaways. They rally and tackle, and they’re comfortable playing aggressively on early downs to force long third downs. The Packers’ answer? Stay ahead of schedule with zone runs and perimeter screens, then hit layered crossers once the linebackers step up. Watch for LaFleur to test Washington horizontally early, then come back to deep posts if the safeties bite.

Personnel matchups to circle: Christian Watson and Jayden Reed against Washington’s corners, Kraft and the Packers’ backs against linebackers in space, and McLaurin versus Green Bay’s top corner in isolation. Green Bay’s offensive line communication will be stressed by simulated pressures and late movement—short weeks tend to favor defenses that disguise.

Situational football matters on Thursdays. Field position, hidden yards on special teams, and red-zone execution often swing these games more than raw yardage does. Both teams looked buttoned-up in Week 1, but Thursday nights amplify mistakes. Expect conservative fourth-down calls early and a premium on ball security.

The weather in early September at Lambeau is usually mild, but wind can kick up at night. If gusts show up, that nudges the total down a tick and pushes coordinators toward quick passes and ground games. Keep an eye on pregame reports before locking in any totals.

Betting snapshot: Packers -3, total 49. Lean Green Bay if you trust their protection and scripted start at home. If you like Washington, you’re betting on Daniels’ legs creating explosive plays and their defense stealing a possession. My lean: Packers 27, Commanders 23.

How to watch, kickoff info, and what to monitor

Kickoff: 8:15 p.m. ET, Thursday, September 11, 2025

Venue: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Broadcast: Thursday Night Football (check local listings)

Streaming: In many international markets, live games are available on DAZN through NFL Game Pass International. Availability, blackouts, and pricing vary by region.

• Sign up for a DAZN account in an eligible country with NFL Game Pass International.
• Download the DAZN app on your TV, phone, tablet, or streaming device, or watch via web browser.
• Search for “NFL” or “Thursday Night Football” to find the Packers–Commanders live stream and replays.
• If you travel, check regional access rules; your library may change outside your home country.

Short-week variables to watch:

• Injuries and snap counts: quick turnarounds can cap workloads. Monitor final inactives 90 minutes before kickoff.
• Pass protection: condensed game plans favor blitz and disguise. First-quarter sacks often set the tone.
• Quarterback legs: designed keepers and scrambles are drive savers on Thursdays. Daniels and Love can both move the sticks.
• Early scripts: the first 15 plays are critical. Green Bay tends to start fast at home; Washington counters with tempo.

What a win would mean: For Green Bay, it’s another marker that last season’s Wild Card exit was a springboard, not a ceiling. For Washington, it’s a statement road win in a building that’s haunted them for nearly four decades—and a sign that their young quarterback can handle prime time and hostile environments.

Prediction: Packers 27, Commanders 23. Slight edge to Green Bay’s balance and pass rush, with one late defensive stop deciding it.