Green Bay Packers 20, New York Jets 17 (OT)
September 20, 2026 — MetLife Stadium
The Green Bay Packers erased a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit Sunday and escaped MetLife Stadium with a dramatic 20-17 overtime victory over the New York Jets.
Rookie kicker Trey Smack delivered the winning kick, drilling a 26-yard field goal with 5:23 remaining in overtime to complete Green Bay’s comeback. The victory moved the Packers to 1-1, while the Jets also fell to 1-1.
Packers Turn the Game Around in the Fourth
For much of the afternoon, Green Bay’s offense struggled to generate momentum.
The Packers trailed 17-7 early in the fourth quarter after the Jets had controlled much of the game.
Then everything changed.
Quarterback Jordan Love connected with Christian Watson for a 3-yard touchdown, cutting New York’s advantage to 17-14. After a huge 63-yard punt return by Skyy Moore gave Green Bay excellent field position, Smack connected on a 34-yard field goal to tie the game with 2:59 remaining.
Green Bay’s defense then made one of its biggest plays of the afternoon.
With the Jets facing fourth-and-1 near midfield late in regulation, the Packers stopped Braelon Allen for no gain, giving Green Bay possession and an opportunity to win.
The Packers couldn’t capitalize, however, and the game went to overtime.
Smack Finishes the Comeback
The Jets won the overtime coin toss and elected to receive.
That decision quickly backfired.
Green Bay’s defense forced New York into a disastrous possession. Geno Smith was sacked on consecutive plays, and a false-start penalty pushed the Jets into a third-and-30 situation.
New York eventually punted.
That gave Love and the Packers another opportunity.
Green Bay moved methodically down the field, with rookie running back Kaleb Johnson breaking off an important 11-yard run before Love connected with Matthew Golden for a 14-yard gain that moved the Packers inside the Jets’ 10-yard line.
Smack then came onto the field and calmly drilled the winning 26-yarder.
Love Battles Through a Tough Afternoon
Love finished with 16 completions on 29 attempts for 145 yards and two touchdowns, without throwing an interception.
It wasn’t a spectacular statistical performance, but Love made several important throws when Green Bay needed them most.
He also took a hit to his elbow that caused numbness in his right hand, yet remained in the game and helped lead the comeback.
The Packers finished with only 199 total yards, making the comeback even more remarkable.
Jets Had Control—Until They Didn’t
New York appeared to be in position to win after building a 17-7 advantage.
Geno Smith connected with Garrett Wilson for a 5-yard touchdown late in the third quarter, giving the Jets their first lead.
Earlier, Braelon Allen had scored on a 5-yard run to answer Green Bay’s opening touchdown.
Jason Sanders’ 32-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter then extended New York’s lead to 10 points.
But the Jets couldn’t close the deal.
Smith finished with 27 completions on 41 attempts for 247 yards and a touchdown, while Wilson had five catches for 57 yards and the score.
Penalties Nearly Ruined the Game
Neither team played a clean game.
The Packers were flagged for 14 accepted penalties totaling 133 yards, while the Jets committed 13 accepted penalties for 156 yards.
That made for a frustrating afternoon in the rain at MetLife Stadium.
Green Bay also struggled with ball security, fumbling five times and losing one. New York forced four Packers fumbles but couldn’t consistently turn those opportunities into points.
Injuries Add Concern for Green Bay
The victory came with a significant cost.
Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed left the game with a neck injury after taking a hard hit and was transported from the field for further evaluation. The Packers later said Reed had movement in his extremities and would remain hospitalized overnight for observation.
Right tackle Zach Bako-Bewele also left after suffering a right knee injury.
Those injuries will be an important storyline for Green Bay heading into Week 3.
A Win Built on Resilience
This wasn’t the Packers’ cleanest performance.
They were outgained 285-199, struggled on third down and committed a staggering number of penalties.
But when the game reached its most important moments, Green Bay’s defense stepped up.
The fourth-down stop in regulation and the two sacks to open overtime gave the offense the opportunities it needed.
And Smack finished the job.
The Packers now head home with a 1-1 record and an important road victory that demonstrated their ability to recover from adversity.
For the Jets, the loss will sting. They controlled the game for long stretches and led by 10 points in the fourth quarter, only to watch Green Bay score the final 13 points.
Game Takeaways
- Final: Packers 20, Jets 17 (OT)
- Packers: 1-1
- Jets: 1-1
- Jordan Love: 16/29, 145 yards, 2 TD
- Geno Smith: 27/41, 247 yards, 1 TD
- Christian Watson: 4 receptions, 41 yards, 1 TD
- Garrett Wilson: 5 receptions, 57 yards, 1 TD
- Breece Hall: 16 carries, 29 yards
- Game-winning play: Trey Smack’s 26-yard overtime field goal
- Turning point: Green Bay’s fourth-down stop late in regulation
- Biggest concern: Injuries to Jayden Reed and Zach Bako-Bewele
- Biggest takeaway: Green Bay found a way to win despite a sloppy offensive performance
