rewrite this title Green Bay Packers Look Like Super Bowl Contenders After 2-0 Start | Deadspin.com

Doomed by fan disillusionment, Packy the Packer packed it in as Green Bay’s football mascot nearly 40 years ago.

The Packers operated and excelled without some costumed clown – or butcher, in Packy’s case – before the mid-1980s and have followed suit since. Why keep up with the Joneses?

Foam cheeseheads symbolize Packer backers strongly enough, of course, but don’t be surprised if one of them totes a dragon doll or trinket when the Packers return to Lambeau Field in Week 6.

Thursday’s 27-18 win against the Washington Commanders again reinforced Green Bay’s status as a Super Bowl contender after a season-opening domination of Detroit. A 2-0 start isn’t mythical, but what happens within it can be.

“With all the playmakers we have on offense, you might as well just call us a five-headed dragon,” Packers tight end Tucker Kraft said.

Green Bay defeated a pair of fellow NFC playoff teams from 2024 behind a versatile attack led by quarterback Jordan Love, who was 19-for-31 passing for 292 yards and two touchdowns against the Commanders.

Kraft had six receptions for a career-best 124 yards and a score, Romeo Doubs caught the other TD and Josh Jacobs ran for a touchdown for a second straight week.

It all had Kraft’s head spinning while conceiving of serpents with numerous noggins.

“We’ve got depth at wide receiver; you saw guys make critical catches today,” he said. “You had Malik Heath, that toe tap, (Dontayvion) Wicks coming back to the ball in that two-minute drill before the half. Just a bunch of dogs, man, and I’m happy they’re on my side.”

The proverbial dogs and dragons who comprise the Packers know they’ll need to keep rolling. Already without injured offensive linemen Aaron Banks (ankle/groin) and Zach Tom (quadriceps), Green Bay lost wideout Jayden Reed to a broken collarbone in the first quarter on a would-be 33-yard touchdown reception called back due to penalty.

“We’ll see how fast he can recover and heal,” coach Matt LaFleur said. “Certainly, I would expect him back at some point this season.”

Given the way things are going, the Packers figure to have lots of chances to fine-tune the O without Reed and once he returns.

Sparked by recently acquired edge rusher Micah Parsons, the Green Bay defense is dogged, too. Washington outscored Green Bay 15-10 in the fourth quarter but still managed just 230 total yards while averaging 3.5 yards per play to the Packers’ 6.4.

Opponents should get used to the struggle, says Parsons, who registered three hits and a half-sack on Commanders QB Jayden Daniels.

In the secondary, Keisean Nixon registered five pass breakups.

“Teams are going to be like, ‘This is going to be a heavyweight fight.’ We’re coming out here, we’re running to the ball, we’re playing fast, trusting each other, communicating,” Parsons said. “That just makes you hard to beat.

“As long as we just keep doing that every week and challenging ourselves to keep up with that same energy and effort, we’re going to be hard to beat.”

Watching the Packers makes that an easy concept to wrap your head around.