Packers Defense Key for 2-0 Start
A win on Thursday would be the Packers' first 2-0 start since 2020
The Green Bay Packers 27-13 victory over the Detroit Lions was one of the most impressive wins of any NFL team in Week 1 of the 2025 season. The Packers defense was dominant in the win against Lions.
The Lions, who led the NFL in scoring and were second in yards gained in 2024, were held to just 246 yards and 13 points. They did not score their lone touchdown until there was less than 2 minutes to go in the game.
Dating back to Green Bay’s Super Bowl winning season of 1996, it was the 5th time the Packers held an opponent to 13 or less points.
In the previous four occasions, the Packers advanced to the NFC Championship three times (1996, 2007, 2019) and the Divisional Playoff the fourth time (2001).
| Year | Opponent | Score | Season Result |
| 1996 | at Tampa Bay | 34-3 | Win - Super Bowl XXXI |
| 2001 | Detroit | 28-6 | Loss - Divisional Playoffs |
| 2007 | Philadelphia | 16-13 | Loss - NFC Championship |
| 2019 | at Chicago | 10-3 | Loss - NFC Championship |
The impressive performance in Week 1 was very reminiscent to the defenses of both of the Super Bowl championship teams in the past 28 years.
In 1996, the group led by Hall of Famers Reggie White and LeRoy Butler, allowed just 26 points in its first three games of the season en route to being ranked first in both points allowed and yards allowed. The 1996 Packers are one of just two teams in the Super Bowl era to lead the league in both points scored (456) and points allowed (210). The other team was the 1972 Miami Dolphins.
In 2010, the defense was led by two first-team all pro performers in Charles Woodson and Clay Matthews, resulting in the Packers finishing second in points allowed and fifth in yards allowed.
As the Packers head into a Week 2 showdown against the Washington Commanders, how important is a 2-0 start? Well based on recent history going back to that ’96 season, the Packers have started 2-0 10 times, with nine of those seasons ending in playoff appearances.
The lone exception in the 10 seasons was Aaron Rodgers first season, which ended at 6-10 after numerous close, midseason losses.
2-0 Starts (Since 1996)
| Year | Week 2 Opponent | Score | Record | Season Result |
| 1996 | Philadelphia | 39-13 | 13-3 | #1 Seed - SB Win |
| 1998 | Tampa Bay | 23-15 | 11-5 | #5 Seed - WC Loss |
| 2001 | Washington | 37-0 | 12-4 | #4 Seed - DP Loss |
| 2007 | at NY Giants | 35-13 | 13-3 | #2 Seed - NFC Champ Loss |
| 2008 | at Detroit | 48-25 | 6-10 | No Playoffs |
| 2010 | Buffalo | 34-7 | 10-6 | #6 Seed - SB Win |
| 2011 | at Carolina | 30-23 | 15-1 | #1 Seed - DP Loss |
| 2015 | Seattle | 27-17 | 10-6 | #5 Seed - DP Loss |
| 2019 | Minnesota | 21-16 | 13-3 | #2 Seed - NFC Champ Loss |
| 2020 | Detroit | 42-21 | 13-3 | #1 Seed - NFC Champ Loss |
Going into Thursday night, the keys for the Packers will be the same as they were in Week 1 against the Lions.
In the win over the Lions, the Packers had a tremendous start, scoring the game’s first 10 points and building a 17-3 lead by the end of the second quarter. The Packers were 1-5 in their previous six games against the Lions and a common theme in most of those losses was playing from behind.
Green Bay flipped the script on Detroit, by playing from ahead for the majority of the game. The Packers are now 12-0 (including playoffs) under Jordan Love when leading by double digits at halftime. The streak goes back to the 2023 Thanksgiving win in Detroit and includes seven wins from last season.
Limit Turnovers
An obvious key to all football games. The team, who wins the turnover battle, generally wins the game. The Packers had the lone takeaway in Sunday’s win, a second-quarter interception by Evan Williams. The interception plus the pressure by Micah Parsons was one of the plays of the game.
Packers interception: Cover-3 Buzz
Goff only has eyes for Bullard (nickel) bailing to the Curl/Flat as well as y'know... Micah Parsons in his face.
Evan Williams rotates down unseen & makes an excellent play on the ball. pic.twitter.com/FQDSMrRUp6— Daire Carragher (@DaireCarragher) September 8, 2025
Jordan Love also extended his team record with 8 straight regular-season games without an interception. In those 8 games, the Packers are 5-3, with losses to Detroit, Minnesota and Chicago last season.
Get After the Quarterback
The Packers finished 8th in the NFL in sacks in 2024 with 45, but their pass rush left more to be more desired for the majority of last season. On Sunday, the Green Bay pass rush got all four of its sacks in the second half, thwarting the Detroit comeback attempt. The front four of Lukas Van Ness, Rashan Gary, Devonte Wyatt and Micah Parsons combined for the four sacks.
If the Packers are to generate a consistent rush on Jayden Daniels and limit his ability to escape the pocket, it should provide the team with a good chance of a win on Thursday night.
In 2024, the Commanders gave up 50 sacks, which was 8th worst in the NFL. In their win over the New York Giants, the Commanders quarterback was sacked three times. He was able to scramble for 68 yards, which allowed the Commanders to extend drives and put away the Giants in the 4th quarter.
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Mitch McLaughlin is a Packers fan and shareholder residing in Sacramento, California. He will be writing Packers stories each week on Cheesehead TV. He can be found on Twitter: @McLaughlinMitch
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Comments (16)
Coldworld
September 09, 2025 at 06:25 pm
The Packers D was the stand out in week one. The offense went mostly cold after a quarter and a half. I think we attempted 6 passes in the second half and completed 3. Hopefully that won’t be the pattern going forward, but if the D can play at that level again then the burden on the O will be much less. It’s particularly difficult to judge Washington from their first game because of their opponents—just how good a measuring stick are the Giants?
LambeauPlain
September 09, 2025 at 06:50 pm
"They did not score their loan touchdown until there was less than 2 minutes to go in the game." Good deal...that garbage time circus catch is on loan and the lions will have to pay it back.
I heard driving to the game, one of the Packers Gameday hosts stated every Super Bowl Lombardi/Championship earned by the Packers also had their Defense either #1 or #2 in points in the NFL that year.
Defense wins Championships...in Green Bay especially.
murf7777
September 10, 2025 at 08:49 am
I agree, but its not only in GB. 75%+ of all winners of the past SB’s had a dominating defense, normally top 3 or so. MLB, it’s pitching and defense. The key to winning the biggest games is to keep the other team from scoring. Occasionally, you will get the top offense win SB’s but thats the exception and not the norm.
Cheddarhed
September 09, 2025 at 06:51 pm
Love did throw an interception.
Snap the ball
September 09, 2025 at 06:57 pm
And he threw Two TD,s
SicSemperTyrannis
September 09, 2025 at 08:17 pm
Two bonehead plays in a row. You don't get to skate on that often. Plenty to correct, but still a great win, made possible by the whole team. Contributions from all up and down the roster!
I'm thinking coaching has to be a significant part of that.
Snap the ball
September 09, 2025 at 06:53 pm
First game all playing and getting into game shape O line men hurt didn’t need to pass much when leading by that much.
On the one Tucker Kraft should have done the QB sneak to move the chains.
SicSemperTyrannis
September 09, 2025 at 08:19 pm
I thought a direct snap to #85 was called for there, too.
Snap the ball
September 09, 2025 at 07:05 pm
And probably throw 3 Thursday night
Snap the ball
September 09, 2025 at 07:21 pm
Throw 3 TDs
joejetson
September 09, 2025 at 07:29 pm
Excellent effort by the GB defense. The excitement of Parsons' debut carried from the stands down to the field. You could feel the adrenaline rush. They played hard and smart. Best overall performance in recent memory.
The offense went into a shell in the second half trying to protect the lead. Would have liked to see them keep their foot on the gas and building the lead.
The bad offensive series with the two near turnovers got MLF a little gun shy. But then they just went to Jacobs and rammed it down Detroit's throat.
Great effort. Looking forward to a lot more big wins.
murf7777
September 10, 2025 at 08:52 am
I loved the drive where Jacobs took over in the second half. The OL was kicking the Lions butt all the way down the field.
SicSemperTyrannis
September 09, 2025 at 08:22 pm
It sounds like you got to see this from the stands? Congratulations if so! Hard to imagine a better game to choose to see live and in person, with the benefit of hindsight.
Savage57
September 10, 2025 at 03:54 am
Daniels and his Cognilizer need to spend some quality time on the bench Thursday night.
BuckyBadger
September 10, 2025 at 08:33 am
I like the Packers to win this week and I don't think it will be that close. Daniels is a special talent that could keep things close by playing hero ball but Washington isn't a very good roster. They are one of the oldest teams in the league and I don't think their defense is very good at all. Look at who they have played at QB the last several games. This year they played Russel Wilson who has been awful and was again. Then look at their last 6 or so games last year. From week 18 going back they played Mariota with Dallas and they played vs him earlier in the year vs Carolina, Penix in his 1st year starting, Pickett playing for Philly, Spencer Rattler with NO, Will Levis with TEN and Cooper Rush with Dallas and lost. This team is a paper tiger. Time to rip them to shreds.
murf7777
September 10, 2025 at 08:58 am
Yes, I’ve heard people say it’s going to be tough because of a short week. Guess what, it’s shorter for Washington because they have to travel to us. WE have a tough schedule, but most of our toughest games are at home. My prediction, is back to back 27-13:)