The Green Bay Packers will attempt to rebound from a disastrous Week 1 fourth quarter when Matt LaFleur's team -- which is currently riding a six-game losing streak -- goes to MetLife Stadium to play the 1-0 New York Jets on Sunday.
This is uncharted territory for the Packers, who haven't lost six straight games since before Brett Favre arrived in Green Bay. Beginning the season with back-to-back losses would also be rare for the Packers, who have avoided the dreaded 0-2 start during every season since 2006. LaFleur's team will have to go back on the road and beat the Jets to even their record at 1-1.
Previewing Packers-Jets in Week 2 with managing editor Zach Kruse and contributor Mark Oldacres:
What we're watching
Zach: The offensive line is the obvious answer here,
but I'm most interested in the response of Matt LaFleur's team. There's nothing like a kick in the teeth in Week 1, so there should be an urgency and an edge to the Packers' play to start Sunday. Can this team put last week in the rear-view mirror and start fast on the road, potentially in poor weather conditions, and against a team that is both feeling pretty good about itself after Week 1 and enjoying the home opener? Sunday is a noon kickoff on the road against an uncommon opponent, but the Packers can afford no lulls. Also, I want to see how the Packers respond to the first hint of adversity. The Jets will go on a run at some point. Can the Packers muster a counterpunch?
Mark: Can the Packers run the ball? They averaged only 3.1 yards per carry against the Vikings, and with heavy rain potentially in the forecast, being able to control the game on the ground could be crucial to coming out with a win. MarShawn Lloyd and Chris Brooks both had a couple of nice runs in Week 1, but struggled at times, not helped by an offensive line which was not exactly opening huge run lanes. Minnesota's defense is notoriously tough to run against, so perhaps the underwhelming performance should be no surprise, but that needs to change this week. It will also be interesting to see if Kaleb Johnson gets in the mix for the first time.
Biggest reason for optimism
Zach: Like last week, it's the matchups the Packers can find in the passing game, granted the offensive line rebounds and isn't a disaster. The Jets will likely get the NFL debut of second-round pick D'Angelo Ponds on Sunday, but the Packers have to like what's possible with Christian Watson, Matthew Golden, Jayden Reed and Tucker Kraft if Jordan Love has time. One thing to watch: Rain is in the forecast, and wind conditions inside MetLife Stadium can be tricky to navigate. Will the Jets get an assist from the weather? In normal conditions, the Packers passing game could be expected to produce another day of explosive plays against this Jets secondary, but wind and rain could be a matchup neutralizer.
Mark: Jordan Love and his pass catchers. Before the offensive line made it impossible late in the game, Love was gashing Brian Flores' vaunted defense for explosive plays, even in the face of far too much pressure. Christian Watson picked up where he left off with a great performance, while Matthew Golden had his most productive game as a pro in terms of catches and receiving yards. Tucker Kraft did Tucker Kraft things, and Jayden Reed was not even much of a factor, highlighting the depth the Packers still have within their pass catching group. Love will give this team a chance to win every week, especially when paired with the offensive weapons at his disposal.
Biggest reason for concern
Zach: It's the offensive line until proven otherwise. But you know that. I'll go with the other side of the line: Can the Packers consistently pressure Geno Smith, a veteran quarterback who was excellent in Week 1 behind an offensive line that allowed him to be pressured under six times? Smith can slice and dice if he's protected. The Packers will have Lukas Van Ness available on Sunday, providing a boost, but it'll be interesting to see Jonathan Gannon's pass-rushing plan. More blitzes? The Jets have a pair of talented first-round picks at offensive tackle, so generating pressure might require bringing extra people or consistently winning one-on-one opportunities inside. Carson Wentz wasn't great against the Packers in Week 1 overall, but he created production and efficiency as a passer when he wasn't pressured.
Mark: No prizes for guessing here: the offensive line was a question mark entering Week 1, and is now a full blown concern. Will there be any changes to the starting five after Donovan Jennings and Jacob Monk did not make the most of their opportunities a week ago? Will the group communicate and play better after going back to the drawing board this week? Who knows, but the O-line has to put in a stronger performance this week, especially against a defensive coordinator in Aaron Glenn who is willing to be aggressive like Flores was a week ago. The coaching staff faces a big decision on whether to stick or twist, trusting Jennings and Monk to up their game or giving Anthony Belton and/or Jager Burton a shot.
Matchup to watch
Zach: Packers right tackle Zach Bako-Bewele versus Jets rookie edge rusher David Bailey. Bako-Bewele got through Week 1, but he clearly wasn't 100 percent, and he got beat too many times on the turf at U.S. Bank Stadium. Can he bounce back against Bailey, the second overall pick in the 2026 draft? The Jets rookie produced six pressures when lined up against the right tackle in his regular season debut last week, and he could be a handful for Bako-Bewele on the turf at MetLife Stadium. Keeping Bailey out of the pocket and off Jordan Love's back will be a top priority for an offensive line that needs to play better across the board in Week 2.
Mark: The Packers defensive line against the Jets offensive line. Green Bay was satisfactory up front in Week 1 and generated a reasonable amount of pressure. Doing so again this week could be more of a challenge against a stout Jets offensive line and without Javon Hargrave, who has been ruled out with a concussion. There was some good news, as Lukas Van Ness was removed from the injury report and will play on Sunday. I am interested to see if Jonathan Gannon stays aggressive and sends extra rushers at Geno Smith as he did regularly versus Kyler Murray and Carson Wentz, and if so, whether it works as effectively against a stronger O-line.
Packers win if…
Zach: They win the pressure battle. A simple idea, but a hugely important one for this team in Week 2. The pass protection group has to be ready for a barrage of blitzes and pressure looks from Aaron Glenn's Jets. You either respond to a weakness or teams will hammer it over and over again, and Sunday is an opportunity to show Week 1 was more of a blip on the radar than the baseline level of performance. Can the offensive line bounce back and give Jordan Love a chance to carve up a Jets secondary? Along the other line, the Packers have to find ways to speed of Geno Smith and force him into mistakes. The veteran quarterback has been successful against Jonathan Gannon defenses in the past, and he can be really tough to stop if consistently protected. The Packers must be the team with better pressure numbers coming out of Sunday.
Mark: They protect Jordan Love. That will probably be the answer a lot this season. For all their warts elsewhere on the roster, if the Packers can keep Love reasonably clean, the combination of him, Matt LaFleur and a talented group of receivers and tight ends means they will put up points against anyone and carry Green Bay to a lot of wins. If the O-line cannot keep Love upright, it will be another tricky afternoon.
Data dump
Zach: The Packers gave up 39 points in Week 1 despite allowing only 3.9 yards per play, which seems almost impossible until you factor in three short fields (two turnovers, one kickoff return) resulting in touchdowns. There's a real chance the defense bounces back in a big way on the scoreboard this week, although they need help from the offense and special teams. Also, a rebound in the red zone is required after giving up four touchdowns on four trips last week. The Packers were actually outscored by 19 points in the red zone in Week 1 (scored 10, allowed 29!) and ended up losing by 17. Finish drives and play complementary football.
Mark: The Jets are fifth in the rate of man coverage deployed on defense since Aaron Glenn took over as head coach, and that is a continuation of his approach with the Lions previously. Since the start of last season, Jordan Love is first in expected points added (EPA) per play versus man. Golden is sixth in EPA per target at wide receiver, Watson is 12th and Kraft is sixth at tight end. If the Packers can hold up in protection (that is a big if), they could shred New York's defense when they are in man.
Predictions
Zach: I don't love the idea of playing in a rainy, potentially sloppy game on the road against a team coming off a big Week 1 win, but any team trying to rebound from a disappointing finish to the season opener better show real mettle in Week 2 or the season can spiral out of control quickly. The Packers are talented. Now it's time to show some physical and mental toughness. It's time to go to MetLife Stadium, rebound along the offensive line, finish the game strong on both sides and put the last six games behind them. Winning ugly would be fine. The Packers must leave the Meadowlands at 1-1. I'm anticipating a weird game in the rain, and a narrow Packers win that features a late defensive stop. Packers 25, Jets 19
Mark: Until everything went wrong late in Minnesota, Green Bay was producing against an aggressive Brian Flores defense, and Jonathan Gannon’s defense was locking down the Vikings on the other side. The Jets may not be as easy to sweep aside as many think with competency at quarterback in Geno Smith, a strong O-line and some talented skill players on offense, as well as a feisty defense which held the Titans to only 10 points last week (although the opponent must be factored in). The Packers should get right and end their 6-game losing streak, but with conditions set to be rough in New York on Sunday, this could be a game that feels too close for Packers fans’ liking. Packers 24, Jets 17
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers vs. Jets preview and predictions: Will Green Bay rebound in Week 2?
