The Green Bay Packers will attempt to avoid the first regular-season losing streak of the Matt LaFleur era when the New York Jets arrive at Lambeau Field for a noon kickoff on Sunday.
The Jets have won three of four games; the Packers are coming off a stunning loss in London.
Here’s how the staff at Packers Wire believes the Week 6 showdown against the Jets will go down:
Zach Kruse (2-3): Packers 24, Jets 21
A physically demanding week after the trip to London and some tough matchups within the game figure to make this a difficult, 60-minute battle for the Packers, even at home and coming off a loss. There is a big talent gap at quarterback again, but the Jets are talented at receiver, have an effective pass rush and can win the special teams battle. Is an upset possible here? Sure. The Packers are a flawed team trying to figure it out on the fly to start 2022, but LaFleur and Rodgers usually create excellent bounce-back performances coming off losses, and the Packers need this one badly with a three-game road trip coming up. The guess here is a turnover swings this game Green Bay’s way late.
Brandon Carwile (3-2): Packers 28, Jets 14
I’d like to think Green Bay won’t lose to Daniel Jones and Zach Wilson in back to back weeks. Joe Barry announced this week that his defense would be more aggressive going forward. He must have watched the tape from last week and realized that playing 10 yards off of Marcus Johnson and Rickie James isn’t the way to go when you have Jaire Alexander, Rasul Douglas, and Eric Stokes. However, this week will be more about the pass rush than it will be about pass coverage. The Jets are one of the worst teams in the league when it comes to protecting the quarterback, as they have allowed 80 pressures in five games. Hopefully, Rashan Gary’s toe injury won’t force him to miss this game but it’s not the end of the world if he does. On offense, we probably won’t see any drastic changes from Green Bay. New York has a talented secondary but I don’t expect Aaron Rodgers to hand the ball off 30 times, even though that might be the way to go. In the end, I think the Packers are just too talented to lose to both New York teams in consecutive weeks.
Paul Bretl (3-2): Packers 24, Jets 20
This is another game that the Packers should win, but I expect it to be close as they face a young and talented Jets team that plays hard until the end, with a pair of fourth-quarter comebacks this season. We also don’t know what the effects of coming back from London will be. This is a Jets’ secondary that is aggressive and ranks among the best in interceptions and pass breakups. The front seven, meanwhile, has been very good at slowing the run and creating pressure. It’s all about balance for the Packers. The run and quick passing games will be key, but keeping the Jets’ defense honest with some downfield passes will be needed as well (as long as they aren’t forced). Defensively, watch out for playmaking running back Breece Hall, but the name of the game is getting after Zach Wilson, who has really struggled when under pressure. Earlier this week, Joe Barry mentioned a few ways that this defense can improve, which included being more aggressive. Let’s see if that happens.
Brennen Rupp (3-2): Packers 24, Giants 10
These are strange times. The New York Jets have more playmakers than the Green Bay Packers that will test Joe Barry’s unit. A unit that he said would be more aggressive moving forward (namely the secondary). This game will provide a good test for a secondary that’s been the biggest disappointment of the season thus far. After getting carved up by Daniel Jones and his rag tag group of pass-catchers in the second half last week, how will this group hold up against Zach Wilson and NY’s young weapons? Breece Hall will put a lot of stress on this defense with his ability out of the backfield. The Jets have the weapons and a secondary that will make things difficult for Aaron Rodgers and Green Bay’s passing attack. Give me the Packers by three with a Mason Crosby game-winning field goal.
Writer | Prediction | Score | Record |
Zach Kruse | Win | 24-21 | 2-3 |
Brandon Carwile | Win | 28-14 | 3-2 |
Paul Bretl | Win | 24-20 | 3-2 |
Brennen Rupp | Win | 26-23 | 3-2 |