The Green Bay Packers, armed with newly acquired 26-year-old superstar edge rusher Micah Parsons, took the first step toward what they hope will be a Super Bowl championship by defeating the mighty Detroit Lions 27-13 this past Sunday.
But they still have lots of work to do in order to bring home the Vince Lombardi Trophy, and it continues on Thursday when they host the upstart Washington Commanders.
The Commanders unexpectedly reached the NFC Championship Game last season behind the excellent play of then-rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. Fan bases in both Wisconsin and the Washington, D.C. area undoubtedly feel Thursday’s matchup will be a preview of this winter’s NFC title game.
Commanders head coach Dan Quinn was asked how he would gameplan against Parsons, and he joked that Green Bay should sit Parsons, especially since Green Bay has a short week of rest after its Week 1 win.
“Are you asking what would I do if I were coaching him? I’d sit him this week. Yeah, short week,” he said, laughing.
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The Packers acquired Parsons in a shocking trade with the Dallas Cowboys about two weeks ago. Parsons, who spent his first four seasons with the Cowboys, had been looking for a lucrative contract extension, but he couldn’t come to terms with them.
He got his feet wet nicely in Week 1 with one sack on Detroit quarterback Jared Goff. With his help, Goff was held to one touchdown pass and 225 passing yards.
Meanwhile, Washington blasted the New York Giants 21-6 on Sunday. Daniels was solid, going 19 for 30 and posting 233 passing yards, 68 rushing yards and one touchdown pass. Deebo Samuel, a wide receiver the team acquired from the San Francisco 49ers during the offseason, caught seven passes for 77 yards to lead it in both categories.
The Commanders’ offensive line and skill players will have to step up their pass protection in order to keep Parsons at bay on Thursday.
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Parsons is seemingly always a leading candidate for the Defensive Player of the Year award. He made the Pro Bowl in each of the last four seasons, and last year, he registered 12 sacks, 23 quarterback hits, 12 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles despite missing four games.
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