Hail on Three

WK2 Preview Show - Commanders @ Packers (TNF)

• Josh Edwards • Season 1 • Episode 27

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James and Josh jump on to preview week two's tilt against the 1-0 Packers on Thursday Night Football, with Lee dialling in his contributions. The show includes:

- Lee's lookback game 

- James's Matchup Matrix

- Josh's 'Commanders win if' statline

- Scoreline predictions

@HailOnThreePod

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

I'm not coming round.

How would you describe the culture surrounding this football team? You know, the culture is actually damn good. Daniel looking, moving to his left under pressure, stays on his feet. Uh, now he falls the end zone. It is caught for a touchdown by.

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

Welcome to another edition of The Hair on Free Podcast. I'm your host, Josh. This is our Green Bay Packers Thursday night football preview show. I'm joined by James. How are you doing, James?

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

Hello, Josh? Yeah, I'm good. Thank you. Uh, just me and you today. I think Lee has called in his, uh, his look back and his predictions and yeah, looking forward to obviously he's a quick, quick turnaround. Um,

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

Hmm.

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

so yeah, it's. Just kind of moving on from last week's win now and bit bit nervous about the game. Thursday. It's gonna be a big game, but, um, I think it's gonna be a really, a really competitive game and a physical game, so I'm, I'm looking forward to it. I still don't know if I'm staying up or, um, or not yet. I dunno what your

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

Uh, that was my first question for you. Uh, were you gonna stay up? Um, I'm, I'm gonna watch the game live, whether that means I stay up through till. Caught past one in the morning, which is a Friday morning kickoff time here in the uk or whether I try and get an early night, like a couple of hours and get up, but either way, I'll be watching the game live 100%. Um, I'm stoked for more Washington football. Live games. I'm really actually kind of pleased. It's a really quick turnaround because I just wanna see us again.'cause it's, is that like, is it fools gold in week one? Are the giants so bad that you know, we should have actually blown them out? Like, is our offense just only in first gear? Like all these questions I want answers to and I feel like, oh, we get a game quickly, then we. Maybe be given some of the answers. Um, yeah, as you say, it's just you and I today. I did wake up to a flurry of voice notes from Lee to clip in. So we've got, we've got plenty of those. Um, we'll be doing Lee's look back. We'll be doing your mate, uh, matchup matrix. Um. And my stat line, um, Washington wins the game if stat line as well. But let's, I wanted to do a bit of chat with you, if you don't mind, around like, around the league stuff.'cause we haven't really talked about any other games at all. We haven't had the time really. Um, obviously now week ones in the books, anything that, uh, jumped to mind, uh, for you or anything you particularly.

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

Um, yeah, I mean obviously we were out catching quite a few of the games. Um, obviously watched the highlights back of that crazy game, uh, Ravens Bills. Um, mean, what can you say about that? I guess just to the best cutbacks in the league going head to head. I mean, you can't ever rule out Alan. Sometimes he's not. A huge factor in a game, but then it gets to the fourth quarter and society's gonna take over a game. Um, yeah, a of a strange week as week one. Week ones sometimes are, I think a lot of, from, I can see a lot of the Parson attacks were a bit below par. saw some really strong defensive games that, uh, Rams, Texans won, caught a bit of that, that was, very physical game. And Rams defense looked like that could be one of the top three. Defenses in the league would be one of my sort of, um, takes early on. Um, it could be the Texans offensive line, obviously without tonsil now whether they've to reshape that, but really gave them hell there and um, they obviously had some young players from last years draft that gonna take another leap. And I think I saw something that they've retained the most players, um, from last season more than any other team. So. You could really see them take a step, particularly on defense and if staffer stays healthy as well, KU is still doing his thing. So, um, yeah, that really stood out to me. Um, Rams, Seahawk, no, sorry, 49 ERs Seahawks again, um, you know, two pretty good defenses there and getting even more banged up there. Um, I think kit's out for. Best part of a month and purdy's even questionable for this week. So it's already happening there for, for the Niners. Um, I mean if, that goes sideways of injuries early on, again, I mean, Shanahan might just leave this earth and just go and live on the moon at this point. But, um,

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

for us if that's the case. Right. They're, they're highly touted this off season, so.

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

other

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

Hmm.

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

um, in terms of some of the lesser teams, Panthers I was hoping for a bit better from them. Looked like they had quite a long weather delay, but they were looking pretty poor, uh, before then. Um, outside of that, just thinking off the top of my head, Raiders being a patriot. So I think it, there's a bit of a statement. I think quite a few people fancy the Patriots.

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

Yep.

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

but the rays look good. They look organized. Juno look good.

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

Mm-hmm.

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

Their passing game looked pretty decent. And the, the Patriots defense, I was a bit disappointed by, um, Christian Gonzalez was out.

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

Hmm.

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

Uh, maybe that that made a difference. But again, there were a few weird things going on, um, the weekend, I think. Another thing. All these rookie run running backs, I've been talking about a off season. None of them really made an impact outside of Croskey Merit.

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

Yeah.

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

I think he was, uh, I think he's even up for Rookie of the week. Um, I have voted for him. Um, so I think everyone should go out there and vote for him before that

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

Yes.

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

yeah. And any thoughts from you, Josh?

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

I mean, no. You covered a lot of it there. It was a good, good. Maybe we should add this in a little James Roundup across the league. That was good work, uh, each week, but no, the Ravens one. The Ravens Bills one I was interested in actually, I think like at some point, John Harbaugh's under some pressure,

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

Hmm.

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

you keep losing games against the Bills chiefs or whatever. In this fashion, when you have such a powerhouse offense, you just, you just can't stop. An opponent of that quality, um, will just be frustrating. Um, hell of a game though, obviously, as you said. Amazing. The only thing you didn't mention, which I think is worth um, briefly touching on, is Monday Night Football and the, um, the Bears Vikings and, uh, and the Vikings coming from behind at a point where, you know, in the, in the fourth quarter the bears are up 17 six and you thought. It's their chance here. Caleb's been really up and down in the game, started off well, and then started to really show some strange decision making and some errant throws. You thought if they can just hold on, it'd be a bit of a statement, win over the Vikings. Um, but they blew it. They couldn't hold on. Um, some questionable game stuff. Management as well in there, um, for Ben Johnson, some booze as well, uh, which was, was interesting to see. And yeah, look, we don't have like a a, a big. Rivalry with the bears or anything like that. But obviously with ca, Caleb, and Jaden last season and the Hail Mary game, there's a bit of needle and interest there. Um,

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

I,

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

so that will be interesting.

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

a close eye on this year, as I've mentioned to you. Um, that's the one prime time game. I haven't actually managed to watch back yet. I didn't get a chance, uh, yesterday. Um, I was happy to see that result. If I'm being honest, um, I don't particularly like Caleb Williams. I don't like Ben Johnson and, um, Bez fans, even after last season, still seem to think Williams would be better. Maybe that's delusional. Um, but I'm looking forward to our matchup for them happy for JJ McCarthy. It'd be interesting to see if he can continue to take a step. I've obviously not looked at bat, but from what I've heard, it's a bit of an up and down performance, but came through at the end, right?

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

Yeah, I think if, if, you know, if you didn't know who the rookie quarterback was, you'd be hard pressed to, to pick between the two of them. That game, they, they both kind of looked a little bit like it, but obviously McCarthy's first start, um, to me he passes the eye test better than Caleb. But like, let's see how that goes for the rest of the season. Um.

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

final game, I, I should have touched, touched on this first actually, that Steelers Jets game. It was a

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

Of course. Yeah.

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

surely. Um, a shootout, which I don't think anyone saw coming. the Steelers of Aaron Rogers looking pretty good, Metcalf looking good. Their run game looking good. Um, the defense would be disappointed. Put, you know, let the jets put that many points against them. Justin Fields looked good as well. Brie Hall looks amazing in that game. Garrett Wilson making plays. So think positives for both teams from that. And I think there are a couple teams you probably thought, Probably aren't gonna do a lot, but say it's week one. These things sometimes happen in week one. But um, before that I was interesting from those two teams.

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

Yeah, good shout. Um, I, I sort of vaguely remember watching bits of that on RedZone live on Sunday um, alright, cool. Good. Look back across the league. Um, talking of look backs. Let's hand it to Lee then for him to do his thing. I was thinking as I listened to this this morning, I wonder if he actually. Looks at the, like goes online. His memory is that good. Um,'cause he loves, he loves going back and, and just,

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

in his head.

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

I think it's in his head.

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

to get specific dates.

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

Yeah.

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

but he knows these games off the top of his head.

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

Yeah, yeah. Let's hand it to Lee then for his, uh, green Bay Packers. Look back.

Hey guys. Welcome to Lee's Lookback for week two, as Washington traveled to the Midwest to take on the Packers at historic Lambo field. Okay, so the overall series against Green Bay, obviously a conference rival, not a divisional rival. Uh, the Packers are up on US 2217 and one tie. We have met three times in the postseason Green Bay, leading that one, two to one. Okay, so I'm gonna give every week an honorable mention game as I did last week. So for this one, take me back to November, 2016. Not too long ago, listeners, to the Gruden years episode will indeed remember. This is one of my favorite offenses. The 2016 skins Sunday night football. We blow out the Packers at home, 42 to 24. Kirk Cousins shines under the lights, and at that time, we all believed would be running full steam ahead to the playoffs. But December, as we all know, did not go as planned. Okay. Onto the lookback. So you may well remember last week I noted that I've set myself a couple of rules for this lookback series. Anytime the commanders are the row team, I'll have to pick a Washington away game. Hence, this lookback will be a game that was played at historic Lambo field and also gonna need to pick at least four or more Washington losses throughout the season. Just to keep myself in check, but also to ensure I don't miss any classics from the matchup series. Well, unfortunately, guys, this seemed like a good week to start as we have a pretty miserable record in Green Bay. I would've had to dust off the archives and go all the way back to the eighties to find a Redskins win. I decided against that this week, and I have gone back to October, 2007 for my. Look back in the series. So it is a game at Lambe Field. Of course, a sellout 70,761 is the attendance Washington are coming in under. Jason Campbell in the Gibbs 2.0 era had a solid start to the season. We're a three in one football team coming into Green Bay. Had an early by that season. The Packers have started hot. Brett fav at the helm. They are four and one. It's a low scoring affair in the first half. We get in the end zone twice. Jason Campbell on A Keeper and one of my favorite players from this era. An all time red skin, great tight end. Chris Keeley. He has himself on a career day for the time, over a hundred yards and a touchdown. He gets in the end zone. To put 14 points on the board for Washington, we take a slender 1410 lead into the half fav comes out in the third quarter as we know. He is not scared to fling it and throw it down the field. What he did not account for was the best safety in football. Sean Taylor quite literally. Running the width of the field to pick him off. Undercut the Packers wide receiver and secure an amazing interception. Second down, an eight, far going deep for Greg Jennings. It's intercepted by Shawn Taylor, his second pick today. He also dropped four others, the lateral to Rocky Macintosh and Taylor again shows his range by being able to get there because it didn't look like there was a place for a defender to get. Unfortunately, Campbell and the offense could not capitalize on it. A couple of series later they, Taylor literally does the same thing, an amazing play on the ball. Gives Washington yet another chance to extend the lead. Unfortunately, in probably the pivotal play of the game, recent Washington Ring of Fame, inductee Santana Mars on an end round is stripped. Setting up the packers to take the lead with a touchdown. 1714 Mason Crosby. The longtime Packers kicker. In fact, I think he only just retired, didn't he? He, um, he had a chance to, to isolate and put a bit more distance between the sides. He actually hit the upright from under 40 yards to give Campbell one last chance to either take it to overtime or win it for Washington. Unfortunately it was a turnover in Downs and Green Bay, hang on, 17 to 14, but a game that had two amazing plays from the all time. Great Sean Taylor. Unfortunately, this was about the last time we'd see him in his pulp on the football field as it was just six short weeks later. His life was tragically taken from us all. And it ended up being an iconic game in the memory, but one that we would not really see repeated due to the tragic events of that season. The 2007 season. Of course, Sean Taylor was the story, not just for Washington, but probably the entire NFL. However it was plays like this that lived so long in the memory and cemented him as an all time. Washington Great. This Gibbs team actually rallied. We made the playoffs and lost to a familiar foe in the Seattle Seahawks. One side note from this game on a bit more of a lighthearted funny note, was an amazing fantasy football series commercials that were running in the US at the time. And two stars of the game, or not so much a star in terms of Mason Crosby featured heavily on it, Mason Crosby. He used. He kicked three footballs into a clock tower to denote the change of the hour, and Chris Keeley punches his way through some plywood drywall to catch a football, yes, long before the days of ai. It's really only 2 59. They hate it when I do this. Check it out. It is time to pick me. It's your move. This was amazing television, Josh. I'm sure you'll remember those fantasy file adverts. Great stuff. All right, so this is the lead Look back. A disappointing loss this week, but a close game at Lambo Field. Another close game on the cards this Thursday, I feel. I'll give you my prediction next. Thanks for listening.

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

Okay. Nice one Lee. Brilliant work there. Um. I think actually this time he, he probably did go, go back and get some of the details there.'cause that was really, really thorough. Um, uh, yeah, so I'll, I'll start then with that, that game in, in Joe Gibbs era. Um,

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

remember it?

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

I do, I do remember it specifically because like, that's when I first, uh, as we talked about in the off season, that's when I sort of first really got involved, um, and interested in watching games as much as I could. I do remember that game specifically because it was kind of. Firstly, I'll say, I thought we won the game. So that's my memory again, going wrong. And this is my, maybe this is my positivity bent on things as well. I was sure he won that game. Um, obviously we didn't, we, we, I specifically remember it for that Sean, the Sean Taylor interceptions, um, and the fact that he probably could have had four or five picks that day. It was just all over the field. Um, a, a true sort of free safety performance where he, he tracked down balls from, from Brett Fav. All day long. Um, yeah, so I do remember it for that reason. Um, and it being, I guess that playoff season, um, and, and lots of those games stuck in the memory. Um, but a good one to pick. I mean, as Lee said, like we haven't won there since. 1986. Um, we did, we did beat the Packers on the road in 1988, according to my research, but that was at a different stadium, so it wasn't at Lambo,

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

Hmm.

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

was in Milwaukee or something. Um, but yeah, 1986, the last time we've won there, I've lost six straight since that game in, in 88. Um, so it wasn't Al, you know, this was a good one for Lee to pick one of those losing games. Like he said in his rules, he'd have to get three or four, I think four is it,

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

Yeah.

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

so, um, fair play to him.

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

Yeah, he's, he's done the research there. He knows probably a good, good time to get that one out the way. was the last time you played in Lambo? I. I remember a couple of home games. Obviously there's that two, 2016 one, um, he gave an honorable mention to, and there's the playoff game we had at home as well, which I remember, but not

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

Heineke. Um.

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

last away game there.

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

So there's a Heineke game there where he, uh, did a Lambo leap, but the ga, the touchdown got called back.

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

Yeah,

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

So this, this is the one I thought Lee might pick, but actually I'm glad he, he didn't because, um, he already already had one from the Heineke era, obviously last week. So yeah, he, he did a Lambo leap and then it was called back, and then the next play he, he like fumbled it, I think. Someone to pull away, if I remember correctly. So that was the last time I, I believe that would make sense. That's the last time, really, we, we don't play each other as often as you might think. Um, yeah.

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

I think, um, the last primetime game it says we had against them was at Lambo Field. No. Last primetime game at Lambo Field we had was in. 2001, the first game after nine 11.

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

Oh, okay. Blind me. How'd that go? How.

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

I dunno what the score was, but I think there was some concern about the safety of that match actually.

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

Blow me.

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

I think there was quite a good atmosphere. Um,

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

Was it a, was that a Monday night football game then, Laura.

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

uh, I believe so, yes. September 24th, 2001.

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

Okay.

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

Um, but yes, the, the, the lookback game was before my time, I'm afraid. So I haven't got any memories of that myself. But I do enjoy Lee's descriptive, words he uses, and he really sets the scene. Um, it's like story time with Lee. Um, so thoroughly enjoy it, and it's always a history lesson. Um, hearing, um, Lee's memories of these games.

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

Yeah, that's brilliant. I think it's fast becoming my favorite segment of the show, uh, at this point. And a, and a good one from, for this week from Lee. Um, let's see if our secondary can have similar success that Sean Taylor did on the day. Um, oh, the Mason Crosby thing. Actually, briefly before we move on, the, uh, Mason Crosby issue with the kicking and the fact that he's only just retired. Thinking how long ago that was. I couldn't believe that when Lee mentioned it, but that's, uh, that's an interesting,

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

yeah, he only, he didn't retire long ago.

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

yeah. And, uh, and those fantasy life, uh, adverts were good fun. Like I did go on a bit of a rabbit hole looking at lots of different versions of those this morning. So that was good.

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

one out.'cause um, yeah, I've certainly not seen those.

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

They're, they're excellent. Uh, the Chris Cooley one doesn't work as well on audio, but definitely worth a watch. It's really good. Cool. Okay. Nice one, Lee. Thank you again. Um, let, let's move forward then. Let's look ahead to tomorrow night. So this is Wednesday that we're getting this podcast out UK Wednesday evening time, uh, game tomorrow night. As we said, kickoff very early Friday morning for James and I. Um. Let's talk very quickly about the Packers. Uh, week one. So they won against the Lions, um, one and oh. Um, they've shot up some, uh, power rankings boards. I've noticed various places have them up in the top 2, 3, 2 in the athletic pole. I think three and four. I mean, there's an interesting one. I I think that's a bit high personally. Um, I know the lions were, were, were, were excellent last year obviously until we beat them in the playoffs, but that seems like a bit of an overreaction to the Packers that high. But I think maybe is it because people were excited about them preseason?

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

I, I think it

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

Hmm.

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

where you were on them before the season really. I saw, you know, preseason sort of power rankings. I saw some people had them. As high as the top five and others, you know, middle of the pack, 10 to 15. So it depends where you were before the season. If you were already high on them, you'll just take that as confirming your priors and push them up the board. if you weren't that high on them in the first place, you might find ways to keep them lower. So I'd take some of those with a pinch of salt, but I, I think, I think they have reasons to be optimistic. Um. They're, they're well coached.

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

Yeah.

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

no, Jordan loves a funny one. He, he's shown glimpses. I'm not completely sold on him. Um, they seem to have a lot, a wide receiver by committee type thing going

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

Mm.

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

there. Well, there's no star, but it seems to work for them. Um, yeah,

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

I thought he looked good actually.

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

high.

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

Yeah, three's high. I thought he looked good. Love. Um, I saw a stat, well just a tweet yesterday, um, and it started with children love in his fifth NFL season. I was like, what? Hold on. What? And it is, isn't it? Right, because he didn't play in his first year at all. And then he had, he's had four years where. He's gradually, well, I think the first year he started like six games or something. And then 20, 23 and 20. So this is his third full season as a starter. Um, so you'd expect some, some progress, but um, yeah, I thought he looked good.

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

guess also the Parsons Effect would've pushed them up. Um, he seemed to make, I think he made a bit of a cameo the weekend and got a sack towards the end, which got

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

Yeah. Yeah.

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

attention.

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

Hmm.

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

Um, so it'd be interesting to see how much he plays this week. I guess he'll want to play all the snaps, but whether he's ready for that, if he's still got a slight injury, we'll see. But that could have a big impact on this game.

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

It could. Yeah, I did see him sort of chase down a tired looking Jared, go from behind for that sack. Um

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

a, did you, there was a clip, someone compared it to, um, when you're watching a, like a documentary, the Animals in the Wild in Africa and it's like

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

oh yeah.

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

chasing down a, a gazelle that he

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

Oh, okay.

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

you can see he's about to get got.

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

Oh God. Yeah.

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

no idea. Um.

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

Okay. Interesting. The opposite of that in the, uh, in the tweet that you tweeted out of Jaden Daniels running away from Brian Burns on the game on Sunday when he was just smiling at him, uh, and enjoying his, his, his himself, uh, on the rush. So, okay, let's move on then, James, to your, um, matchup matrix for the week. What is the key battle that you want to dig into a little bit more ahead of Thursday night football?

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

Uh, yeah, I think this one's important. It's, similar to last week, but it's on the other side and flipping it round. Um, One to watch is running game and whether they can stop it. Their run defense just held the Detroit lines to 46 yards of the weekend and we know how good run game was last year. We know they've had a change of coordinator, but Jamir Gibbs, David Montgomery, and it's that run. It all starts with the run game of the lines and they stop. That 46 yards is a pretty good showing. and I think, you know, there's some question marks about that'cause. forgotten part of that Michael Parsons trade was, is it Kenny Clark? Um, I think is their standout, um, run stopper last year. So I think there's some questions about that and I've seen some comments from their defense saying, we took that personally thinking we can't step up and they did, um, at the weekend. Um, and I think it's gonna be interesting to see from the other side if we can continue what we started last week with our. With our run game, um, Crosky, merit Ek, were making plays. Jayden get outside the pocket? Can he, can he, can he rush the ball effectively as well? Can, can we get the ball in Debos hands? I think last, get creative. Um, I think looking at last year, Bay were, I believe top 10 in run defense. so it is gonna be an interesting matchup. trust me. Not every week's gonna be about. Uh, run games, but I, I think in what is gonna be a quick turnaround, it's gonna be a physical matchup. I'm expecting, it's gonna be really important that we can, you know, on what we started on Sunday against what looks to be a very impressive run defense, uh, with Green Bay.

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

This is the, this is the perfect matchup, I think to dig into. I'm pleased you chose it. Um, I think that the Packers rush defense, unlike some teams, is actually the whole of their defensive roster that's on the field at one, at one point, basically. So I think they can, um. They can be impactful against the run from every position, basically. So they can do that from inside. So, um, KBY Wooden and, and Devonte Wyatt, um, in, in the interior. Um, but then they've got vast athletic linebackers and Ed Adrian Cooper and um, and Quay Walker and obviously Parsons. Addition to that is a, is a huge, um. Who's point in the run and against the past, obviously rushing the past a bit. Um, and, and also their safeties, right? So Xavier McKinney, as we know him relatively well, I think they can, they can impact the game from any spot on. The way that they're coached up is to do that and obviously at home with the crowd. Prime time, they're gonna be juiced up and, and I mean, they'll just see that stat line as well, right? 220 rush yards we had against the giants. And they'll look at that and think, okay, that's the key thing to stop, right? Jay and Daniel's on the ground and, and that kind of new rush attack that Washington has.

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

And packers do have some good edge rushes at the same time as well. So, um, if they're stopping us from running the ball, then you got Daniel's dropping back more than he'd like, and, and they're getting and rushes round to him quickly. And we're not letting plays, ain't got time for plays to develop. It could become an issue. But, so we do need to really establish the ground game early on, I feel in that one.

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

How do you see it then? Do you, I mean, in terms of game script maybe, and this being obviously very different scenario to, to the giants at home, um, do we maybe come out differently and, and try to attack through the air a bit more and get Daniels into a rhythm, throwing the ball and

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

Yeah.

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

him on the back foot? Or do we try and establish that run like we, like we did?

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

and surprise'em early on.

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

Mm-hmm.

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

Um. With a run and then maybe a deep shot, maybe just to keep them guessing. So I think they'll be expecting them to want to come out, run the ball slow, methodical, like so many of those drives we saw last year, I think they'll be expecting that. And I think that will be the, the overall plan in the game. But I think they will need to keep them guessing and I think they'll want to do that on. Um, in terms of the flow of the game, I think it is gonna be. A real battle. I don't think it's gonna be hugely high scoring early on. I think it might be one of those ones that comes to life

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

Mm-hmm.

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

I'm, I'm expecting a, a really tough battle on, I think it's gonna be, I dunno if anyone's running away with this one.

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

Okay, interesting. Maybe a hint towards your prediction at the end of a close game. Um, on the other side then we obviously were causing all sorts of issues for Russell Wilson on Sunday. Um, Jordan Love much more. Um, I, I, I guess well more. Mobile now than Wilson is at this point in his career. Also, maybe a bit more decisive. Um, Wilson looked confused and, um, yeah, a bit all over the shop. I, I did actually notice he's been named the starter for week two against Dallas publicly, which is quite funny when you have to do that after one game,

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

yeah.

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

talking in New York. But, yeah. So I guess on the other side then, do you think that we, we, how confident are you that our defense is gonna. Continue to impress IE getting over, uh, rushing the parcel well and um, in the backend as well.'cause as you say, they've got like a selection of decent receivers, haven't they?

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

there's a, uh, a match up. I'm, I'm thinking of when I was thinking of their offense. have some really good players that can get yas after the catch. Um. I think that plays well to Jordan loves abilities and some of the players they've got. You look at someone like Jayden Reed, they'd like to get the ball in his hands. He's, he's good with the yas after catch as is their tight end Tucker Craft. I know we've historically had with tight ends a lot in, in the past, so I'm interested to see how, I don't even know the Giants tight end is to be honest. So I don't know if, if that would've caused us an issue. So, um, I do rate Tucker Grass, so it could be interesting to see how we fare there. So what I'm looking for from our defense is. know, we spoke about it the other day. There wasn't many missed tackles. Um, so I'm looking to see if we can continue that with strong tackling, not letting them get all the Rs after the catch that they're gonna be looking for. I think, um, in this one, they're not really gonna have someone I think who's gonna be troubling. Latimore and Amos Deep, personally, they've got the first round rookie, Matthew Golden. I'm not too concerned about that. Christian Watson's an IR who's a deep threat, so think they're going to be scheming players up behind the line scrimmage and getting the bull in their hands quickly. so I think our attackings gonna be key. So let's hope that continues, uh, for this one. As we know, that's been a problem in the past, so hopefully they have fixed that.

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

Yeah. Yeah. Sounds good. Okay. Um, and it's almost like we planned this. I'm gonna roll onto my,

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

Oh, here we

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

um, stat line of the week if Washington. I guess if this stat line happens, Washington wins the game. I had it very simple in week one. If we scored 20 points, we'd beat the giants. That happened almost perfectly and that we scored 21 and they weren't anywhere near us. This week. I'm going a little bit deeper, not not too much deeper, but it is aligned very much to your, your matchup matrix to watch, right? So I'm going rush yards for Washington. Um.

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

Okay.

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

Now, obviously as you mentioned, the Packers were exceptional against the run last year and very good against Detroit in week one last year in Washington's five losses, six, if you include the playoffs. If we didn't get to 150 rush yards, we lost.

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

Okay.

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

Now there were games where we didn't reach that and, and we won. But in all of those games that we lost, we didn't hit 150 rush yards. Um. Now there's many reasons for that and game flow can be one of them if you're coming from behind, et cetera. But I do think that that's a fairly fair yardstick. You've got 220 hits of giants. I mean, that's huge amount. Obviously a second in the league this week, uh, last week. I think if we are successful in rushing for over 150 yards combined, we will win the game. That's my stat line. I think that's a tall order. Um. Don't get me wrong, there's a chance we can win the game with fewer rush yards if it works out a different way. But I just like the idea of Jaden Crosky Merri Deebo Ecla. If they can combine for that amount, 150, I feel pretty good.

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

Yeah, I mean, definitely doable. It'd be a huge challenge. Um, and you started off well with your key stat last week, so, um, I've got

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

Well know.

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

there that we'll get there on this one.

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

What don't know across the board. Um, right. Let's move on then to our predictions for the game. Um, we're gonna hear from Lee first and then we can react to that and then give our own and maybe, uh, delve into why we think the game might go that particular way.

Okay. Traps. I'm gonna keep this one on the shorter side. Uh, well, mainly because I feel a little bit weird just talking into my phone after doing that. Look back without any banter back and forth on the pod. So let's keep this one short. Um, you know, I haven't watched a ton of football considering we've had a whole Sunday slate with being at the game. Then the travel back straight afterwards. There's no, you know, deep analysis I've put into this game on a quick turnaround.'cause quite frankly, I haven't had time. So, apart from seeing the impressive scoreline against the Lions, there's no deep dive into the Packers for me on that basis. I'm looking forward to listening to the show. So, with that in mind, let's just go with the heart over the head here. I am saying 24 21 Washington. A lateral pick sets up Matt Gay, hook it to my veins. Two and o Hail I.

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

Okay, another win for Lee two and oh, Washington Commanders. A tricky opener in the sense of we didn't really know what New York were gonna be, but in the end we rolled through them. But if we were to go two and oh against the Packers, that has like ramifications for the end of the season right in the NFC. So this is a, this is a big confident one from Lee. He didn't go too in depth there, which is fair enough, but he thinks we will roll past them with the late Matt Gay successful field goal. James, your reaction to Lee's positivity.

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

Yeah, I like it. Um, when Lee's feeling positive about sports team, you gotta really roll with it.'cause that can flip very, very quickly. So, um,

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

Good point.

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

hear Lee positive early on, very specific as well. Um, I would love Lamore to make a big play, uh, to win us this game. Um, yeah, I mean, I'm not too far off. That if

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

Okay.

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

into mine,

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

Yeah, let's do it. What have you got?

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

I've got 21, 20. I've, I've hinted that I think this is gonna be a real slog. I think at halftime we're looking at a score of something like seven seven or ten seven. Um, and I think it's gonna come to life a bit, um, in the second half. Um. I still, I'm feeling positive. I think,

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

Yep.

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

think we have, I actually think we have the better players, um,

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

Hmm.

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

So, with the shown from our defense at the weekend, there's no reason they can't nullify what the Packers wanna do. Um, less penalties would be a good start on offense this week. Um, I've gotta go with the win, that's why I've gone 2120'cause it's gonna be really tough. I don't wanna pick the package, so gonna give us a win by point.

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

Win by point. Okay. We are, uh, we're a three and a half point underdog for those that are interested in that kind of thing, which, you know, on a, on a, a home field advantage for the Packers isn't far off basically being a coin flip game. Um, in Vegas' eyes, you've gone for a one point win. Um, that's five out of six so far. Win predictions. Between us on the season, and I'm gonna have to make it a clean sweep, six of six. So I also think we're gonna win this game. Um, this was harder. I did toy with the, with the, with the loss because I think this is a very tricky game on a short week, this early in the season on the road. Um, but given how, I really didn't think we got out a second gear on occasion, on offense, and, and we overcame that and we had the penalties, like you say, clean those things up. Um, get into a bit more of the rhythm and I think the ceiling's so high for the offense. I actually think the game could go differently. So we're gonna have a bit of a disagreement on, I guess, how the game, uh, pans out. I'm not as confident in our defense as many are after that first week showing against New York. I think New York could be genuinely dreadful and we played maybe above our. Um, talent level. Um, so I think actually this could be a bit of, a bit of a, um, back and forth barnstorm of a game. So, yeah, I think this could be something and well, I'm gonna give you the final score. I'm gonna give you the final score of 34 to 30

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

Okay.

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

commanders. So, um, a shootout. In Green Bay, um, because I, I have, um, I have our offense exploding on the night and I have our defense kind of not imploding, but really struggling to stop the packers. And I think there could be a few, um, early scores and back and forths and a real classic of a game not dissimilar to the Buffalo. Um. Baltimore game on Sunday night. So I'm going for a win. I'm going for a winning a real high scorer. I'm going for a kind of Jaden Daniels to, to set it a light. Terry McClure have a big game, is my element within that. I think Terry could have a really good, good game this Sunday. Um, a couple of deep balls, maybe a, a touchdown in the red zone or two potentially. Um, but 34 to 31 Washington two and oh six and oh in our combined, uh, predictions on the league and.

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

Um, I'm glad to be the same, but not the same. So it

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

Yeah.

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

Um, yeah, I, echo what you say about macro and I think, in my 2120 prediction, he's gonna win us the game one way or another.

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

Nice. Okay.

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

I think he was eased in the weekend. I think he's gonna be full throttle for this one.

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

Excellent. Okay, so again, the Hold on. Three crew all going through a win on Thursday night, football two and oh skins. I think if we go two and oh, beating a divisional opponent and then a potential.

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

10 day break.

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

10 day break. Uh, exactly. Um, that would be massive. Um, especially for my preseason prediction, uh, of our, of our final record. Um, we will be getting together the three of us on Saturday. Um. I think in the afternoon UK time to do a reaction pod and maybe a bit of a longer reaction pod'cause we'll have a bit more time. Um, and we'll get that out Saturday evening. So we'll, we'll all be able to chew on our own words and see how, how, um, you know, whether we, our confidence was misplaced or not. Um, for Thursday night's game then. Um, but as of now, less ride it, like feeling confident. Let's, let's enjoy it. Let's hope for the best. Um, and yeah. We'll see if it's a high scoring game or a closer one like yourself and, and Lisa. Just,

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

Yeah, can't, wait now. Um, yeah, it's weird that it's tomorrow actually. Um.

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

yeah, happy days. Uh, James, where can people get in touch with us? The Caesars started now and there's a lot of kind of engagement on Twitter and stuff. Um, but just remind the people how they can get in touch.

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

Yeah, best place to get us is, um, on our X account. Um, we're engaging a lot more now, season started, and, um, you can find us at, at hail on three pods on X. Um, so yeah, feel free to. to anything we put out. If you agree, don't agree, slag off Lee or anything like that, I'm all for it.

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

Oh yeah, absolutely.

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

or, or you can DM us as well. If there's anything else you wanna, you wanna chat about or get on the pod, just get in touch.

josh_1_09-10-2025_133643:

Yeah, absolutely. Good stuff. Cool. All right mate. Thanks for jumping on. Um, let's see how we go on Thursday night and we'll be back on Saturday as a, a recap pod from Thursday Night Football. But until then, hail.

james_1_09-10-2025_133644:

Hail, I.