The “S” in September football is for “Sloppy.” Teams simply are less than ready for real football. If one goes looking back in the day they can find stories about Johnny Unitas leading a fourth-quarter comeback with all the starters against Philadelphia in pre-season game #4. If processing that for a moment the realization may hit that Jayden Daniels didn’t even throw one pass in pre-season. It showed on Sunday. Against a Giants team that looks to be on the verge of dysfunction Daniels’ passes were off a number of times. He was behind on crossing routes pretty much all day. Two deep shots resulted in two overthrows with his feet fully set. Clutch your pearls if you wish. But, this type of performance is to be expected to start the season. Almost 12% of all snaps during Week #1 resulted in penalties. Washington contributed mightily with 12-infractions. Like it or not the early NFL season is really the old pre-season…only the games count.
Back to College
So, if the teams are going to arrive at the first game not having seen anything meaningful in the way of real football then we have arrived at the College football model. Back in the day before the networks demanded marquee matchups on Labor Day (see: Texas vs. Ohio State) the power schools would play some little school that needed money. The Greenback Poultice would salve the wounds of getting annihilated. It was great practice for the big guys. But, now they get that big game in early and then go play the tomato cans of the game. The NFL teams don’t get that luxury. Play a tough game, then go play another tough game.
“The biggest improvement of the season occurs between Weeks #1 and #2.”
Nick Saban
Someone who knows the college game intimately is former Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban. His comments about early season are applicable here as well: “The biggest improvement of the season occurs between Weeks #1 and #2.” It makes total sense. It’s the first time that all the starters are on tape at game speed. Study the tape. Make corrections. Practice. Rest up. Go play. There’s only one problem with that equation this week: Washington plays after only three-days and a wakeup. How much improvement there is to be had in that time frame is an open question.
“There’s plenty to clean up.”
Dan Quinn
Washington had a “Practice” yesterday on what is normally the players’ day off. You’ll notice it was mostly guys in hoodies. Travel on Wednesday after another practice disguised as a walk-through. The next time they put on pads will be for the game. Head Coach Dan Quinn said flatly, “There’s plenty to clean up.” Odds are that the cleanup and Saban’s predicted improvement will have to wait a week.
The Not-So-Frozen Tundra
Green Bay is not frigid this time of year. The game time temperature should be in the 50s. Great football weather. But, the town and the fan base is on fire. The Micah Parsons trade ignited a rocket ride. That fan base believes the move will take them to the Super Bowl. A fairly complete dismantling of the reigning Division Champion Lions did nothing to suppress the flames. The hype meter is off the charts. How real is it? That’s to be determined.
Micah Parsons is an elite pass-rusher. But, so is Brian Burns. Young Right Tackle Josh Conerly Jr. got thrown right into the fire facing Burns last week. Josh whiffed on an outside move giving Burns an easy sack. Another one would be coming later in the game. But, he otherwise held his own. It would have been unrealistic to expect better. A late relative used to say that, “Nothing beats experience but more experience.” Years later the college professor shed more light on that, “Experience is the accumulation of lessons learned the hard way.” Last week young Conerly accreted some experience. This week he gets Parsons across the line. More experience is probably coming.
Parsons lined up against All-World Right Tackle Penei Sewell last week. He beat Sewell with an inside move on the first attempt. Penei would not have any more of it after that. Desperate to get Parsons a sack the team moved him all over the line. Detroit lost their sensational Center Frank Ragnow to retirement. The replacement is “Not Exactly.” Their Guards aren’t playing at a high level either. Eventually Parsons got his sack on a chase down. But, Micah isn’t in real football shape. He would play one snap or two. One time he played three in a row only to come out huffing and puffing aplenty. Don’t worry about not seeing him, however. Every time he comes on the field the Amazon Prime cameras will be fixated on him.
One would expect Conerly Jr. to get Tight End help all day. The Packers won’t move Parsons to Laremy Tunsil‘s side. Tunsil can handle him. They may move him inside to get away from the double team. For the most part he’s going to be in Josh’s grill all night when he’s out there. Look for Parsons to get about 30-snaps.
30-Gut
The weakness of the Green Bay Defense is the interior of the Line. They sent their best Tackle, Kenny Clark to Dallas in the Parsons trade. Both Tackles were backups last year. They did well against the Lions’ last week. The question will be can they be effective tonight. Dexter Lawrence of the Giants did nothing but occupy space and suck wind on Sunday. We will have to see how it goes this week. There’s a thought here that Chris Rodriguez may get the call. If so expect some 30 and 40-gut Power runs going right at the A and B gaps.
Also expect Washington to run right at Parsons. It’s a tactic as old as football. Go muscle the speed rush guy.
About Love
No, not that kind of love; Jordan Love the Packer’s QB. He is an interesting player. “Streaky” is one way to put it. He can be very good, and just the opposite within the same game. His big bugaboo is Ball Security. He threw two interceptions wrapped in gold leaf on Sunday. One was dropped. The other was caught, but negated by penalty.
Washington’s Defense did not create a turnover last week. It wasn’t for lack of trying. One ball was picked, but Bobby Wagner‘s hand brushed Russell Wilson‘s helmet. So, that was wiped out. Then there was a catch that was fumbled and recovered before it was ruled not a catch. What constitutes a “Catch” has turned into one of the great mysteries of the universe. Doctors spend less time looking at an X-ray film than the review crews spend trying to determine if the ball met all of the canon requirements to actually count. Regardless, the Defense needs to generate a turnover or two. This QB is a good candidate to produce them.
Compass Heading
The Giants’ game had a feeling of real nervousness to it. It wasn’t “Must Win.” But, it felt like it. To lose to that reeling mess of a team from New Jersey would have been a real punch in the gut. AND, it was one of those uber-important Division games. This game has a different feel to it. The Packers are the new darlings of the League with their shiny new toy Micah Parsons. The guys in the desert have them favored to win a Super Bowl. They are at home in a stadium with real home-field advantage. Curious then that the point spread on this game is at Packers plus 3. The age-old formula for these things is that home field is worth 3-points. In essence this is a “Pick ’em” game.
Should Washington win then the race with Philly should start to feel realistic. Should the team lose then shrug the shoulders and move on. After all, the Packers are the Super Bowl favorites. Losing to that is not a disgrace. In either event a welcomed 10-day break is in the offing. That will get the batteries recharged. It will also give the time to work out the numerous kinks. Following are two Sunday games at 1:00 pm. There is only one other instance of that all season.
The WFT is now must-see TV. This Thursday night game is one of 5-games on the slate in “Prime Time”. That’s TV jargon for “Late.” Plus there is an International game to go along with a Christmas Day game at 1:00 pm in Dallas. Getting these two 1:00 pm games will give a chance to establish a rhythm. After that it’s chaotic.
Game Information
Washington at Green Bay
Thursday, 11 September 2025 at 8:15 pm
Announcer: Al Michaels
Analyst: Kirk Herbstreit (and maybe his dog)
