Game Info
Kickoff: Thursday, September 11th, 2025, 8:15 ET
Location: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WI
Network: Prime Video
Washington Commanders
Quarterback
Jayden Daniels: START, QB1
You don’t need me to tell you to start Jayden Daniels. But did you know his pregame ritual includes eating an omelet and two waffles and drinking a mixture of Grape Powerade and Cherry Pedialyte?
Running Back
Austin Ekeler: RB1: FLEX, RB3
Jacory Croskey-Merritt: FLEX, RB3
Chris Rodriguez: SIT
Unsurprisingly, Austin Ekeler played the most snaps of any Commanders running back and saw the most targets (three). But the ground was split between Ekeler, Jacory Croskey-Merrit, and Jeremy McNichols (Chris Rodriguez was a surprise healthy inactive). JCM led the way in rushing attempts with 10 for 82 yards, with Ekeler gaining 26 yards on six carries, and Jeremy McNichols turned four carries into 25 yards. Ekeler was on the field for 43% of snaps on first and second down, but that number jumped to 72.7% on third downs. Coming into Thursday’s game against the Packers as an underdog, the potential is there for Ekeler to see more playing time if the Commanders are playing from behind. Ekeler’s battling a shoulder injury that has had him listed as “limited” on Washington’s estimated injury report (since the team plays on Thursday night), so there is some concern for his availability and workload playing on a short week. He’s expected to play, but it’s far from a certainty. If he does, consider him a solid FLEX play. JCM is a risky FLEX that could give you nada or go bananas on prime-time.
Wide Receiver
Terry McLaurin: START, WR2
Deebo Samuel: START, WR3
Noah Brown: SIT
Maybe the hold-out/hold-in/not practicing in training camp had more of an impact on Terry McLaurin‘s role in the Washington offense than we anticipated. McLaurin led the team in routes, squeaking by Deebo Samuel 31-29. But it was Deebo who paced the team in nearly every receiving metric outside of air yards. Deebo more than doubled Scary Terry’s targets, 10 to 4. Noah Brown ran the third-most routes on the team but saw just three targets. Daniels’ only passing touchdown went to Zach Ertz, but Deebo did score via a run. The Commanders didn’t have to push things on offense thanks to the Giants’ limited offense, so, combined with basically no preseason, there’s no need to panic with McLaurin. But Samuel’s usage is an excellent sign he’ll be very involved in the Commanders’ offense all season.
Tight End
Zach Ertz: SIT
As I mentioned in the wide receiver blurb, Zach Ertz was able to come down with Jayden Daniels’ only passing touchdown on the day, but was otherwise a McDouble (high floor, low ceiling) as expected. If you need a warm body at tight end, he’ll do.
Green Bay Packers
Quarterback
Jordan Love: START, Borderline QB1
He didn’t have to do much thanks to the anemic Lions offense (sorry, Christian), but Jordan Love still had a productive day. Love threw two touchdowns in just twenty-two passing attempts. The Commanders’ new look secondary wasn’t tested in Week 1, so it’s still a bit of a mystery as to what kind of challenge Love will face. But he’s a borderline starter in QB1 leagues, and a must start in Superflex. The Packers have one of the highest implied team totals for the week.
Running Back
Josh Jacobs: START, RB1
Emanuel Wilson: SIT
Josh Jacobs is the only member of the Packers backfield who has any sort of fantasy value, handling all but two of the team’s rushing attempts. Jacobs had a modest 66 yards rushing in Week 1, but was able to get into the end zone. He’s locked into borderline RB1 status regardless of the matchup thanks to his dominant volume and goal-line usage.
Wide Receiver
Jayden Reed: FLEX, WR4
Romeo Doubs: FLEX, WR5
Matthew Golden: FLEX, WR5
Dontayvion Wicks: SIT
So…about that injury… Jayden Reed‘s Jones fracture didn’t seem to slow him down when he was on the field, as he led Green Bay in targets and was the only Packers wide receiver to catch a touchdown. But there’s serious concern for both his ceiling and long-term outlook. Reed played just 51% of snaps, a trend expected to continue throughout the season as the Packers attempt to limit the stress on his injured foot. Romeo Doubs played nearly 100% of the team’s snaps and was just one target behind Reed’s five, catching two long passes for a team-best 68 passing yards. Dontayvion Wicks and Matthew Golden had two targets apiece, a disappointing start for the rookie so many hoped would assume WR1 duties for the Packers from the start. It shouldn’t shock anyone that the Packers continue their wide receiver-by-committee approach, rendering all of them risky starts to some degree.
Tight End
Tucker Kraft: Start, TE1
I’m not concerned about Tucker Kraft‘s sub-double-digit point total from Week 1. Jordan Love had just 22 pass attempts, and Kraft was tied for second most on the team. He also came down with one of Love’s two passing touchdowns. His red zone usage has him locked in as a starting fantasy tight end for the foreseeable future.