Packers vs. Jets: History, analysis and a score prediction

A preview of Week 15 game between the Green Bay Packers and New York Jets.

Overall, the Jets lead the series by a tally of 8-4-0, extending back to 1973. Green Bay defeated the Jets in their first meeting at Milwaukee County Stadium, when New York was led by Hall of Fame QB Joe Namath.

Green Bay has faced the New York Jets twice since Aaron Rodgers became the regular starter in 2008. The Packers have won both times with Rodgers starting those games, tallying a combined stat line of 40-76, 516 yards, and three TDs across the two occasions.

When the Packers met for a defensive showdown in 2010, they were en route to Super Bowl XLV behind the arm of Aaron Rodgers, a defense led by Charles Woodson, and Mason Crosby’s leg. The game was won by a score of 9-0 in New Jersey, and the game’s leading receiver was Greg Jennings with six receptions for 81 yards.

In 2014, the Packers were running an offensive juggernaut which led the NFL in points scored by the time the year had concluded. The Jets enjoyed an early lead at Lambeau before quickly disappearing behind Green Bay’s 28-point onslaught in the second and third quarters, including 21 unanswered points.

The final score was 31-24 in Green Bay’s favor.

Coming this week

The Jets sport a 4-10 record, not far behind Green Bay’s 5-8-1. Rookie quarterback and third overall draft pick Sam Darnold has piloted the Jets to victories over the Detroit Lions, Denver Broncos, Indianapolis Colts and Buffalo Bills.

New York’s offense has been sub-par, to put it generously, ranking 30th in the league in yards per game. The Jets defense, led by second-year safety Jamal Adams, is ranked 22nd in the league in yards allowed per game.

Green Bay will be without Aaron Jones, so they will be utilizing second-year HB Jamaal Williams in his stead, as well as Kapri Bibbs, recently claimed from Washington off of waivers.

Defensively, the Packers will continue to use Tramon Williams and Kentrell Brice in the safety spots, and evaluate Antonio Morrison alongside Blake Martinez again. Tyler Lancaster will also hold down the nose tackle spot for the second week in a row.

Green Bay fans can also expect to see the pair of rookie wide receivers, Equanimeous St. Brown and Marquez Valdes-Scantling. The Packers will continue to explore the talent they have on both sides of the ball, as well as use Aaron Rodgers to push fellow Pro Bowl selection Davante Adams towards Packers history.

What to watch for

Going into Week 16, Davante Adams has 100 catches for 1,315 yards and 12 touchdowns. To attain the triple crown of single season Packers receiving records, Adams would need to attain 13 catches, 205 yards, and seven touchdowns across the final two weeks of the season.

Holding the single-season franchise records currently for both catches and touchdowns is Sterling Sharpe, while Jordy Nelson maintains the single-season receiving yards record.

While the catches and yards look very attainable on the surface, the touchdown record would require an extraordinary effort on Adams’ part, as he has never scored over two touchdowns in one game over his five-year career.

But two out of three is still a tremendous achievement in a tremendous 2018 campaign for Adams. Even more so when you consider that his name has the potential to replace both Sterling Sharpe and Jordy Nelson’s atop the single season record board.

Prediction

Green Bay has struggled mightily this season. The Packers still haven’t won a road game since Dec. 10, 2017 in Cleveland.

Allowing the talented rookie group to experience the post-road win atmosphere, as well as giving Aaron Rodgers more time still to evaluate his chemistry with all of the fresh faces is a good idea all around. There is no experience more valuable than learning on the job.

Showing a high-effort game this week will prove more valuable than the practice of tanking the next two games. It’s simply more constructive for the morale of the players heading into the offseason to play out the schedule and prove themselves than admit defeat on the season, and by extension, themselves.

Sunday at MetLife Stadium should be a feast for this active defense, as Sam Darnold and the Jets hold a 2-5 record at home. This young team will be hungry and excited to get to work on Sunday afternoon, resulting in a Packer victory.

If the Packers put a healthy amount of first half points on the board, we may see a dose of DeShone Kizer in this game, too. Despite Rodgers’ willingness to further solidify his leadership, he would still most likely be receptive to donning a baseball cap instead of a helmet in the fourth quarter.

Score prediction: 27-13 Packers

Check out Freddie Boston’s prediction of this Sunday’s Packer game, as well as picks for every game across the NFL!