The Green Bay Packers head to the Meadowlands to face the New York Jets. The Packers enter this game with an 0-1 mark while the Jets are 1-0. The Packers blew a 12-point lead in the third quarter last week and fell to the Vikings 39-22 while the Jets defeated the Tennessee Titans 23-10. Here are the keys to victory for the Packers in their Week 2 meeting with the New York Jets.
The Packers trail the all-time series between these two teams 9-5-0 in the regular season. The two teams first met in 1973. The Packers and Jets have never met in the postseason.
Here are the keys to victory for Sunday’s game at the Meadowlands:
Packers Keys to Victory vs Jets, Number One: Protect Jordan Love
The Packers offensive line couldn’t protect the quarterback in Week 1. Jordan Love was sacked four times and hit 15 times. The result was a late-game collapse that saw the Packers blow a 12-point lead late in the third quarter. They subsequently gave up 29 unanswered points.
The Jets under Aaron Glenn won’t blitz as much as the Vikings did (nearly 80 percent of the time in Week 1), expect the Jets to bring pressure after the Packers failed so miserably last week trying to protect the quarterback.
The Jets have some pass rush weapons, including David Bailey, Will McDonald and former Packer Kingsley Engagbare.
Hopefully, Matt LaFleur does more to protect the quarterback from multiple tight end formations, screens and other quick release passes, and replacing the team’s inexperienced guards. Aaron Banks will remain a game-time decision. Hopefully, Zach Bako-Bewele returns to form as he gets more reps after returning from his season ending knee injury he suffered late last season. The Packers may look to replace either Donovan Jennings or Jacob Monk who both struggled at guard last week.
If love has time to throw, he should be able to exploit the Jets secondary.
Number Two: Take Advantage of the Jets Cornerbacks’ Lack of Speed
The Jet cornerbacks are not the fastest in the league and that should give the Packers an advantage if Love has time to throw the ball. The trio of Christian Watson, Matthew Golden and Jayden Reed should all be able to get open one-on-one against the Jets corners.
In addition, since safety Minkah Fitzpatrick has not practiced this week due to an injury, the Packers should have an advantage there as well.
The passing game should work well for the Packers in this game.
Packers Keys to Victory vs Jets, Number Three: Stop the Jets Running Game
The Jets have a deep and talented group of running backs and the Packers will need to slow down the run game and keep the Jets behind the sticks to win this game.
Breece Hall starts for the Jets and is their most dangerous runner. He gained 102 yards on 22 carries and scored a touchdown last week. The Packers will rely on Jonathan Ford, Zaire Franklin, Edgerrin Cooper, and Evan Williams to slow down the Jets rushing attack.
Braelon Allen gives the Jets a change of pace back and he is more than capable of running the ball effectively.
If the Jets control the clock and gain more than 150 yards on the ground in this game, they have a much better chance to win it.
Number Four: Get Pressure on Geno Smith
Jets starter Geno Smith gives the Jets an experienced starting quarterback. When he has time to throw, he can be a very efficient and effective passer. But under pressure, Smith tends to make ill-advised throws that can be intercepted by the defense.
Injuries have impacted the Packers pass rushers this week. Lukas Van Ness remains in concussion protocol although he was listed as a limited participant in practice both Wednesday and Thursday. Javon Hargrave is also in the concussion protocol and did not practice Thursday after being a limited participant Wednesday. Devonte Wyatt and Barryn Sorrell are also on the injury report. Both players were limited participants in practice Wednesday and Thursday.
The Packers need to get pressure on Smith. Look for defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon to throw some interesting blitz packages at the Jets. Expect Cooper to go after the quarterback and for corners and safeties to get their chances as well.
Packers Keys to Victory vs Jets, Number Five: Contain Garrett Wilson
Garrett Wilson led all Jets receivers last week with six catches for 79 yards on seven targets. The former Ohio State star has the ability to get deep and also to keep the chains moving. He only played seven games last season but in 2024, he caught 101 passes for 1,104 yards and seven touchdowns.
The Packers starting corners are Keisean Nixon and rookie Brandon Cisse. Nixon played very well in Week 1 which was encouraging after his up and down 2025 campaign. He had half a sack, an interception, and a tackle for loss in the game in Minnesota.
The Packers have to limit Wilson’s big plays and keep Smith from finding him on key third-down situations.
Number Six: Finish
The Packers cannot allow another lead to slip away late. Of course, they have to get a lead first for that to happen. But psychologically, the Packers need to play a full 60-minute game and put an opponent away if and when they have the chance.
The longer this losing streak continues, and the team fails to finish off opponents when they get the lead, the more it can become part of the team’s identity and that is something the team cannot afford.
Prediction:
The Packers really need to bounce back in this game. They are facing a Jets team full of optimism after a solid performance in their season opener. The Packers are on a six-game losing streak.
The early weather forecast is for rain which could complicate the passing attack for both teams. Green Bay is the better team on paper, but unless the offensive line can at least stabilize, they could be in trouble again.
The Packers will win this game, but it won’t be pretty.
Packers 23, Jets 20
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