.jpg)
1 hour ago
2
The Green Bay Packers appeared to have almost no business winning Sunday’s game against the New York Jets. They won it anyway. Green Bay rallied from a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit and defeated New York 20-17 in overtime on rookie Trey Smack’s 26-yard field goal.
The comeback was remarkable because of what the Packers overcame.
Green Bay finished with only 199 total yards and converted one of nine third-down opportunities, according to the game recap. The Packers committed costly penalties, lost multiple players to injuries and spent most of the afternoon struggling to sustain a drive.
They still scored the final 13 points.
“That was a great way to finish,” Jordan Love said in his postgame interview.
It was also one of the strangest victories Green Bay will have all season.
Packers find winning plays amid offensive misery
The Jets led 17-7 with slightly more than 11 minutes remaining. Love responded by leading Green Bay on a touchdown drive capped by his 3-yard pass to Christian Watson. Skyy Moore then produced a 63-yard kickoff return that helped set up Smack’s tying 34-yard field goal.
Green Bay’s defense took control in overtime.
The Packers sacked Geno Smith twice on New York’s possession and forced a punt. Love then completed a 15-yard pass to Chris Brooks, while a late-hit penalty moved Green Bay deeper into Jets territory.
Smack converted the winning kick without hesitation.
The rookie’s composure mattered because Green Bay’s afternoon was filled with chaos. The Packers lost Jayden Reed to a neck injury and Zach Bako-Bewele to a knee injury. They were penalized repeatedly in a game that featured 27 accepted flags between the teams.
Green Bay also struggled to run its conventional offense. Love threw two touchdown passes, but the Packers rarely stayed on the field long enough to develop rhythm.
MORE: Caleb Williams injury overshadows Bears’ brutal loss to Vikings
Green Bay defense saves the afternoon
Matt LaFleur gave the defense considerable credit afterward.
“I can’t give enough credit to our defense,” LaFleur said through the Packers’ official postgame coverage.
New York managed only three points after building its 17-7 lead. Breece Hall was limited to 29 rushing yards, taking away the element that should have allowed the Jets to protect their advantage.
The overtime possession was even more impressive.
Green Bay knew Smith had to pass and still found a way to reach him twice before the Jets could approach scoring range.
The Packers improved to 1-1 after a disappointing opener. The performance was far from clean, but the result prevented Green Bay from falling into an early hole.
Teams rarely win NFL games with fewer than 200 yards, one third-down conversion and a double-digit fourth-quarter deficit. Green Bay checked every box and still left MetLife Stadium victorious.
That might not be a repeatable formula. It was enough for one unforgettable afternoon.
English (US)