My Thoughts from the Green Bay Packers at the New York Jets (9/20/2026)

 Here are my thoughts from today's Green Bay Packers' 20-17 overtime win at the New York Jets:

They weren't perfect but I think the defense has shown improvement. There were a couple bonehead penalties on their first defensive series, but there's a pass rush and has been plays made without the still-injured Micah Parsons. That's a good sign and only makes Parsons' eventual return even more exciting. 

That offense though. Games like this make it hard to defend Matt LaFleur as head coach. It reminded me a lot of what happened last season and the way the defense would keep games winnable, but the offense just couldn't get started. LaFleur is supposed to be an offensive genius. His team starting out with six punts, a lost fumble and just eight first downs on their first eight possessions is unacceptable no matter which defense they are playing.

That said, I will give LaFleur credit for his time management at the end of the 4th quarter. The hail Mary never had a chance, but he did a great job milking the NFL rules to make sure the Jets didn't get another opportunity with the ball.

The penalties are equally as frustrating. At one point in the fourth quarter, the Packers were down 17-7 and had more penalty yards (113) than offense (105). You aren't going to win a lot of games if you keep hurting yourself like that, especially with stupid flags like the taunting penalty on Javon Bullard and the personal foul on Chris McClellan after the whistle on a punt return.

The run game needs to get established. There were some good runs by Marshawn Lloyd and Kaleb Johnson but not enough consistency to make it a real threat or create respect for it even before the lost fumble. With Josh Jacobs' return date still unknown, someone needs to step up in that backfield.

Skyy Moore looks like a great addition. It's been a while since the Packers had a real threat at punt returner but based on this game and his 4th-quarter return that led to a tie score, there's reason to be optimistic about them finally correcting the problem.

The losing streak is over! This was an ugly game at times and there would have been plenty of blame to go around if Green Bay went 0-2 to start the season and lost their 7th straight game, counting their playoff loss, in a row. The fact they still somehow managed to pull off the overtime win is ultimately what is important though. Maybe, with that monkey off their back and some of the naysayers temporarily silenced, they can clean up the rest of it and become the Super Bowl-caliber team they are on paper.