Packers on a 6-game skid going back
to last season and face a Jets squad looking for a 2-0 start
[September 18, 2026]
By DENNIS WASZAK Jr.
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — It has been quite a while since Jordan
Love and the Green Bay Packers walked off the field with a victory.
A promising start last Sunday turned into an embarrassing
fourth-quarter collapse in a 39-22 loss at Minnesota. And now
they're mired in the type of skid the franchise hasn't seen in 35
years.
The Packers have dropped their past six games, counting their 31-27
NFC wild-card playoff loss at Chicago. It's the first time Green Bay
has lost that many in a row since it closed the 1990 season with a
five-game losing streak and lost its first two games in 1991.
“During the season, there’s going to be so much adversity that comes
up, and I think losing Week 1, that’s what it is,” Love said.
“Everybody knows what it is, and now it’s just moving on. We’re here
in Week 2.”
Next up for the Packers (0-1) is the New York Jets (1-0), who are
coming off a dominant 23-10 victory at Tennessee and will try to be
2-0 for the first time since 2015.
It was a nice start for the Jets, who lost their first seven games
last season in Aaron Glenn's debut as coach. They're trying to snap
a skid of 10 consecutive losing seasons and end a 15-year playoff
drought.
“I think each week, we’re trying to make a statement," Glenn said.
“It doesn’t matter who it is. I mean, I think we all know our
history and we’re trying to change that history."
The Jets' defense stifled the Titans while quarterback Geno Smith
ran an efficient and effective offense. New York will certainly look
to do the same against Green Bay, which struggled all game to
protect Love.
Penalties on defense and some questionable coaching decisions — such
as Matt LaFleur’s doomed decision to forgo a field goal and try for
a first down — all added up to an ugly finish for the Packers, whose
most recent win was Dec. 7, 2025, against Chicago.
“Nobody’s finger-pointing because everybody had a hand in it,” Green
Bay linebacker Zaire Franklin said. "Let’s just get back to work.
There’s no better medicine for a bad loss than the next game. So
let’s just get back, focus on the Jets and get a win on Sunday.”
Need to know
Green Bay (0-1) at New York Jets (1-0)
When/where to watch: Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT, Fox.
Latest odds: Packers by 3 1/2.
Against the spread: Packers 0-1; Jets 1-0.
Last week: Packers lost to the Vikings 39-22; Jets beat the Titans
23-10.
Last meeting: Jets won 27-10 on Oct. 16, 2022, in Green Bay, Wis.
Series record: Jets lead 9-5.
Matchup to watch
Packers' O-line vs. Jets' pass rush. Green Bay's shuffled and
inexperienced line struggled against constant pressure from
Minnesota's defense as Love was sacked four times. New York harassed
Tennessee's Cam Ward, sacking him three times and pressuring him
often. No. 2 overall pick David Bailey and Will McDonald, who each
had a sack, could be in for a big afternoon off the edge.
[to top of second column] |
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love walks off the field after
an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Sept.
13, 2026, in Minneapolis, Minn. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Stats and stuff
— The game marks the home opener for the Jets, who are debuting new
white helmets with their fifth current uniform combination and
encouraging fans — who packed the stands in Tennessee — to wear
white for a stadium-wide “White Out.” “We want to make this place a
place where it’s hard to play,” Glenn said.
— The Packers last started 0-2 in 2006, their first season under
coach Mike McCarthy.
— During their six straight losses, the Packers have been outscored
90-15 in the fourth quarter and overtime.
— Green Bay has lost five games, including the playoffs, in which it
led by at least nine points in the second half since the start of
the 2025 season.
— Packers WR Christian Watson had six catches for 147 yards and two
touchdowns against Minnesota. Those marks either set or matched his
second-highest career totals in all three categories.
— Love’s 387 yards passing against Minnesota was the second-highest
total of his career. It also was the highest season-opening total
for a Packers quarterback in franchise history.
— Love has thrown 24 touchdown passes in September games since 2023.
No NFL quarterback has as many TD throws during the month of
September in that stretch.
— Packers K Trey Smack’s 59-yard field goal against Minnesota was
the longest in NFL history by a player making his debut, according
to Elias Sports Bureau.
— The Jets are looking to start 2-0 for just the 12th time in
franchise history and first since 2015.
— The game marks the first home start for Smith with the Jets since
Oct. 23, 2016, his final start of his first stint with the team.
— The Jets opened the first and second halves last week with
touchdown drives on their opening possession of each, the first time
they've done that since Week 17 of the 2021 season against Tampa
Bay.
— New York had a 19-play scoring drive that bridged the first and
second quarters and lasted 11:48 — the team's longest drive by time
in any game since 1994, according to Stats Perform.
— RB Breece Hall has 3,500 yards rushing and needs 90 to pass Bill
Mathis for ninth on the Jets' career list.
___
AP Sports Writer Steve Megargee in Green Bay, Wis., contributed to
this report.
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