Jets vs Packers Game Preview

The Jets travel to Lambeau Field this week in a late Sunday afternoon game against the Green Bay Packers. Last week Gang Green played a solid game against an underwhelming Oakland Raiders team led by Derek Carr. After week 1, the Jets are the best rushing, passing, and overall defense in the NFL. Green Bay looks to be a measuring stick for how the Jets will perform against powerful passing offensive units for the rest of the 2014 season.

Dee Milliner makes his return to the field, although coach Rex Ryan has indicated that Antonio Allen and Darrin Walls will get the start against Green Bay, while Milliner who is designated "Probable" will play limited snaps. The game will likely turn into a battle of timing between the Jets defensive line and Aaron Rodgers, one of the most talented passers in the NFL.

Where Each Team Is

The Packers are seeking revenge after a brutal losing effort against the Seattle Seahawks in week one. The Packers have quite a bit to prove after dismal results on offense and defense in the first week of play relative to the rest of the league. Surprisingly, the Packers are in the bottom half of the league after week one in almost every measurable except pass defense. This is excusable for a team whose week one opponent was the notorious immovable object from the previous Super Bowl.

The Jets are riding high after an impressive defensive outing versus the Oakland Raiders in the opening week. The Jets now move on to face arguably their first real test of the season, rising to a franchise that wins consistently and has a top-tier quarterback under center. The New York Jets are a team that plays up (and sometimes down) to their opponent, but it remains to be seen if a balanced attack led by Geno Smith can keep pace with an up-tempo, Rodgers-led offense.

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Sister Site: Acme Packing Company

Location: Lambeau Field; Green Bay, WI.

Field: Open air, Kentucky Bluegrass and artificial turf composite.

Coverage: CBS. The muttering great uncle of broadcast television.

Weather: Partly sunny, high of 62 degrees Fahrenheit.

Record: Jets lead the all-time series, 8-3.

What happened last time? The Packers beat the Jets by a score of 9-0 back on October 31st, 2010 (spooky).

Who is favored? The week two opening line has the Packers by 8.5.

Injuries

(Players designated "Probable" status are omitted)

Jets

Out: A.J. Edds (LB) Hamstring.

Questionable: Josh Bush (S) Quad.

Packers

Out: Brad Jones (LB) Quad.

Questionable: Bryan Bulaga (T) Knee.

Rankings

Please note that rankings are after only one week of play, and be mindful of who each teams respective opponent was in their season openers.

Jets: After week one against the Raiders the Jets are 19th in points scored, 10th in overall yards, 24th in passing yards and 1st in rushing. The Jets RB committee matches up favorably against the Packers who couldn't stop the Seahawks on the ground last week, however the Jets must improve through the air if they wish to keep pace with teams like the Packers.

On defense the Jets are 4th in points allowed, 1st in overall yards allowed, 1st in passing defense, and 1st in rushing defense. Needless to say, the Jets delivered a very stout defensive effort that completely stifled the Oakland Raiders. If the Jets can come even close to matching this kind of defensive stand against the Packers, you could be looking at the best defense in the NFL for 2014.

Packers: After one week of play, on offense the Packers are 26th in points scored, 29th in overall yards, 26th in passing yards; and 23rd in rushing yards. This is not the sort of results you would expect from the Packers, but the Seahawks are a team that can shut down even the biggest offensive behemoths. Just ask the Denver Broncos.

On defense, the Packers weren't that great either, coming in 31st in points allowed, 21st in yards allowed; 11th against the pass, and 31st against the run. With starters on both sides of the ball ailing for the Packers, the Jets might be able to hang with Green Bay in a tight game if the New York secondary doesn't fold.

AP Pro Ranking has the Jets ranked 18th overall, and the Packers tied for 6th.

Attacking the Packers

Last week the Packers were absolutely devastated on the ground by the Seahawks. The Jets meanwhile had the most productive rushing offense in the entire league for week one. When you consider only one team did worse against the run than the Packers (that team being the Jets opponent -  the Raiders), there is seemingly a mismatch here to be exploited. The Packers secondary might be the strongest position for the team outside of quarterback, so Geno Smith should hand it off early and often.

If you have a Chris Ivory and Chris Johnson handcuff in fantasy football, or if you have a deep league, consider using either Jet this week. The Jets running backs had a field day and broke off some punishing runs against Oakland, and they will look to do the same against the 2nd-worst ranked run defense.

Jets X-Factor

On defense Antonio Allen will continue to be the Jets X-factor, who will start opposite Darrin Walls. Dee Milliner will likely play limited snaps and although he will probably be an important role player, Allen's play against the likes of Randall Cobb or Jordy Nelson will make or break the game for the Jets. Rod Streater and Denarius Moore are no scrubs believe it or not, but they didn't have a pro bowl caliber QB throwing their way either. If Allen and Walls play capably, the Jets have a very good chance. If either DB gets caught with their pants down and is beaten badly, it could be a very long and embarrassing game for the Jets.

The Packers secondary will look to shut down Eric Decker for the game. While Jeremy Kerley had as many catches as Decker, he was also held scoreless and was not as memorable last Sunday as Decker's crisp route running was. David Nelson and Greg Salas each had a catch but were largely invisible against Oakland. Chris Johnson matched Kerley and Decker with 5 catches.

One of the receivers behind Decker is going to have to step up if the Jets want to keep pace with the power offenses they face in 2014. I'm expecting it to be Kerley, who is listed as number two on the depth chart in spite of being a prolific slot receiver; a testament to John Idzik's lack of effort in the offseason in this humble writers opinion.

Packers to Watch

Look out for Tramon Williams and Sam Shields on defense, who are responsible for the Packers secondaries better-than-average ranking. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, the only Packer with a sack so far this season, will be looking to make a statement after Rex Ryan discussed him with the media in comparison to rookie Calvin Pryor. The Packers are no schlubs against the pass, and they will probably be looking to make a statement on offense as well this week.

Randall Cobb and Jordy Nelson displayed good chemistry with Aaron Rodgers in week one, but outside of those two receivers none of the other Packers have emerged as a threat yet. Tight end Andrew Quarless looks like a go-to security blanket for Rodgers after finishing third for receptions behind Cobb and Nelson last week.

Bro's Bottom Line

The Jets are going to find out exactly who they are and what kind of team they can reasonably expect to be in 2014 this Sunday. New York will get its first taste of a road game against a tough passing attack. The Packers will find out if they really are that bad against the run, or if Seattle is the exception and not the norm. Most of all, the Jets patchwork secondary will get a serious challenge. On the flip side of the ball, Geno Smith and Marty Mornhinweg will have to beat a much better secondary to earn legit contender status in the NFL.

The Jets will knock out the run and bring pressure early and often. Don't expect Eddie Lacy and friends to be very productive on the ground against Gang Green. This game will come down to the Jets crushing D-line racing against Aaron Rodgers and his quick release. Whether or not this is a winnable game for Geno Smith and the Jets offense depends on how quickly the defense can infiltrate the Packers backfield.

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