How did the Green Bay Packers beat the New York Jets on Sunday despite suffering from game-long struggles on offense and in the penalty department?
Turns out, the Packers' win -- and the Jets' loss -- was of the rarest kind. According to ESPN Insights, the Packers became the first NFL team since at least 1941 to win a game despite producing under 200 total yards, having over 100 penalty yards and losing the turnover battle. Previously, NFL teams were 0-44 when hitting those three thresholds in a game.
The Packers finished with 199 total yards and 133 penalty yards, and the Jets delivered the game's only turnover on a fumble recovery in the fourth quarter. Even with the takeaway creating a field goal that put the Jets up 17-7 with 11 minutes to go,
New York squandered the lead late and then lost in overtime.
The Packers are the first team on record (since 1941) to win a game with...
— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) September 20, 2026
✅ Less than 200 total yards (199)
✅ 100+ penalty yards (133)
✅ Negative turnover margin (-1)
Entering today, teams in that spot were 0-44 🤯 pic.twitter.com/jRkMHSgpj7
Another one, from Doug Clawson of CBS Sports: the Packers became the first team in the Super Bowl era to win a game when having under 200 total yards, 10 or more penalties and zero takeaways.
After giving up leads in four of the team's last six losses, the Packers finally turned the tables on an opponent and stole away a win.
"Here's what I love. It wasn't always pretty, right, but you stuck together. Down 10 in the fourth quarter and you found a way to get it done," coach Matt LaFleur said in the post-game locker room.
Had each other’s backs pic.twitter.com/7B9pefYED0
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) September 20, 2026
Instead of limping home with an 0-2 record, the Packers survived at MetLife Stadium, enduring all the problems on offense and with penalties to beat the Jets in overtime. It was a rare win given the circumstances, and one the Packers absolutely had to have early in the 2026 season.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers overcome offensive ineptitude and penalties to steal rare win over Jets
