Since the Packers haven’t looked much like the Packers this season, it’s fitting they’ll rock their ‘50s throwbacks on Sunday (green on green with gold numbers and a plain gold helmet). And if they are to take advantage of their last home game until the Dallas Cowboys visit on Nov. 13th, they’ll need a throwback performance on the field, relying on a dominant running game and an aggressive, strong tackling, turnover-inducing defense.
When the schedule was released, the New York Jets game looked like one of three automatic Ws, along with home games against the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions. But much has changed for the Jets over the last few weeks, and they enter this game with an identical record as the Pack. And there are a number of reasons to believe Green Bay is in for a 60-minute battle, despite being more than a touchdown favorite.
The Packers return home from the UK, tails between their legs, after a shockingly ugly second half on both sides of the ball that left the players dazed in the locker room. Some, like Jaire Alexander, were questioning the scheme the Packers were asking them to play. If you’re Alexander, being told to play 8-9 yards off the line of scrimmage against practice squad receivers has to make you beyond frustrated. He’s the highest-paid corner in the league, and Joe Barry is asking him to play as conservatively as a Newsmax employee.
As for Barry, you get the feeling if he bought a Lamborghini, he’d ask them to put in automatic transmission. There’s been plenty of criticism directed his way this week, and he admitted he needs to play to his players’ strengths, so we’ll see if he puts those word into action. Expect the Jets to lean on the running game, led by dynamic rookie Breece Hall. Everyone else is running on the Packers. They know that if they get the running game going, it will allow Zach Wilson to take play action shots with deep threat Corey Davis and rookie Garrett Wilson.
Of significant concern is the health of Rashan Gary’s toe. The first we heard it was an issue was midweek and Matt LaFleur admits it’s a concern — he’s questionable for Sunday’s game. His absence would be massive; he’s been the only bright spot on an under-performing unit. And this is the one spot the Packers have no proven depth. With backup Tipa Galeai also out, Barry may have to resort to blitzing more than he’d like.
It’s Week 6. With or without Gary, it’s time to move past miscommunication on the field. It’s time to stuff the running game and get off the field on third down. And I don’t know, maybe they can even intercept a pass — something they’ve done a grand total of once this season. Green Bay has yet to win the turnover battle through five games, a complete 180 from where this team is year after year.
With Aaron Rodgers dealing with a sore thumb, this absolutely, positively has to be a game the Pack relies on its two-headed running attack, specifically Aaron Jones. Seems like whenever everyone complains about Jones’ lack of touches, he rebounds with a monster game and he has a chance this week against a weak Jets rushing defense.
The Jets will likely stack the box quite a bit, believing their outstanding cornerback duo of rookie Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed can stick with Allen Lazard and Romeo Doubs on Rodgers’ inevitable deep shots. The O line will be challenged to protect Rodgers, with red hot pass rushers Carl Lawson and Quinnen Williams feasting lately, albeit against subpar QBs.
So the Jets come to Lambeau bursting with confidence, sensing a flawed opponent and coming in with nothing to lose. The Packers have to rebound from a blown game against the Giants, a grueling trip back home and are a team that knows this is an absolute must-win game, with a three game road trip on deck. Throw in the fact that LaFleur is playing against his brother (OC Mike LaFleur) and best friend (HC Robert Saleh), a couple of guys who know him as well as anyone. They certainly know the kind of game he likes to call.
LaFleur has yet to lose back to back games in the regular season and the Pack have been lights-out in October. But while those ’50s uniforms may look fresh, the team was 39-79-2 in that decade. Is that an omen? I hope not. They may not look like the ’60s Packers, but they’ll get the W.
Packers 24
Jets 20
