Trey Smack’s OT kick lifts the
Packers past the Jets, ending a 6-game skid
[September 21, 2026]
By DENNIS WASZAK Jr.
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers
were down 10 points in the fourth quarter, piling penalties and
staring at a seventh consecutive loss.
They somehow pulled this one out — in front of a raucous crowd of
white towel-waving New York Jets fans and despite all the yellow
flags dropping in between the raindrops that drenched MetLife
Stadium on Sunday.
Trey Smack kicked a 26-yard field goal in overtime and the Packers
bounced back from a sloppy performance to snap a six-game skid with
a 20-17 victory.
“It’s a huge win,” Love said. “It’s one of those games where you
just have to keep fighting. It wasn’t pretty a lot of that game.”
Love shook off a hit to his elbow that led to some numbness in his
right hand to throw two touchdown passes for the Packers (1-1).
Green Bay had 14 accepted penalties for 133 yards and appeared on
its way to another ugly loss after a fourth-quarter collapse last
week in a 39-22 loss at Minnesota during which it had 12 penalties.
“In two weeks, we’ve had a lot of penalties that have put us back,”
Love said. “Those are things that stop drives, put you behind the
sticks. It’s tough to overcome.”
But it was the Jets (1-1) who couldn't hold on after mostly
outplaying the Packers and stifling Love and the offense for much of
the game.
“I'll be honest, I'm highly upset,” New York coach Aaron Glenn said.
"Tough way to lose a game. There's a number of things that go
through my head that, man, we have to fix. ... This loss is not
going to define who we are and what we’re about, I will say that.
It’s not OK and our guys are going to take it like that.”
The Packers also overcame a scary start when wide receiver Jayden
Reed and right tackle Zach Bako-Bewele were carted off the field
with injuries on consecutive plays on the opening drive.
Reed has a neck injury, but had movement in his extremities and
coach Matt LaFleur said he'd stay overnight at a hospital for
observation. Bako-Bewele hurt a knee and LaFleur said it “doesn't
look good.”
The Jets won the overtime coin toss and chose to get the ball, but
Geno Smith was sacked on consecutive plays and Isaiah Williams was
called for a false start, making it third-and-30. Kenyon Sadiq
caught a 12-yard pass, but New York was forced to punt.
Kaleb Johnson had runs of 11 and 3 yards, and then Love connected
with Chris Brooks for a 15-yard gain — and Jarvis Brownlee Jr. was
called for unnecessary roughness for hitting him late. After Matthew
Golden's 14-yard reception put the ball at the 8, LaFleur opted for
the field goal — and Smack sent the Packers home happy.
“For our guys to continue to battle, hopefully that will give us
some momentum moving forward,” LaFleur said. “It was tough sledding
there for about three quarters.”
Love finished 16 of 29 for 145 yards with TD tosses to Christian
Watson and MarShawn Lloyd for the Packers, whose six-game skid —
including the playoffs — was their longest since dropping seven in a
row spanning the 1990 and 1991 seasons.
[to top of second column] |
Green Bay Packers kicker Trey Smack (28) is lifted in celebration by
his teammates after kicking the game-winning field goal during an
NFL football game against the New York Jets in East Rutherford,
N.J., Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Smith was 27 of 41 for 247 yards and a touchdown
pass to Garrett Wilson for the Jets, who were also sloppy in their
home opener; they were called for 13 accepted penalties 156 yards.
Braelon Allen had a 5-yard TD run.
Jets appeared to be in control of the game
Smith threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Wilson to give the Jets a
14-7 lead late in the third quarter.
The Jets' stifling defense forced a turnover early in the fourth
when Kingsley Enagbare knocked the ball out of Lloyd's hands and
Harrison Phillips recovered. It was the fourth fumble forced by the
Jets in the game, but the first they recovered.
The drive stalled and New York settled for Jason Sanders' 32-yard
field goal to go up 17-7 with 11:04 remaining.
Green Bay came right back when Love threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to
Watson on a play-action fake.
After Skyy Moore returned a punt 63 yards to the Jets 19, Smack
kicked a 34-yarder to tie it with 2:59 remaining.
Green Bay took a 7-0 lead with 9:35 left in the second quarter when
Love threw a dump-off pass to Lloyd, who wriggled his way into the
end zone for a 6-yard touchdown. It was the first NFL touchdown for
Lloyd, a 2024 third-round pick who played in just one game during
his first two seasons because of injuries.
The Jets responded on their next possession with Allen's touchdown
run, tying it at 7.
Injuries
Packers: G Aaron Banks injured a toe and Donovan Jennings, his
replacement, hurt a hand. DT Anthony Campbell (ankle) was injured in
the first half. WR Bo Melton left in the third quarter with a
stinger.
Jets: LBs Marcelino McCrary-Ball (ankle) and Kiko Mauigoa
(quadriceps) and DL David Onyemata (groin) were ruled out after
halftime. TE Mason Taylor hurt a thumb in the fourth quarter.
Up next
Packers: Host the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night.
Jets: Face the Lions in Detroit next Sunday.
All contents © copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved
 |
