New York Jets vs Green Bay Packers: Week 2 2026 NFL Preview, TV Schedule and How to Watch in the USA

The New York Jets and Green Bay Packers meet Sunday, September 20, at MetLife Stadium in Week 2 of the 2026 NFL season. The matchup brings together two teams entering the game with different results from Week 1: the Jets opened the season with a 23-10 win over the Tennessee Titans, while the Packers lost 39-22 to the Minnesota Vikings after surrendering a 12-point lead in the second half.

The game will provide an early look at how both teams respond to their opening performances. New York showed balance on offense and limited Tennessee to 195 total yards, while Green Bay demonstrated significant passing production but struggled to maintain its performance throughout the second half against Minnesota.

Game context

The New York Jets enter their home opener with a 1-0 record. In their victory over Tennessee, the Jets controlled possession for 38 minutes and 46 seconds and finished with 367 total yards. Their defense also recorded three sacks and kept the Titans without a touchdown until the final minutes.

The Green Bay Packers enter at 0-1 after taking a 22-10 lead against Minnesota before the Vikings scored 29 unanswered points. Green Bay now has several areas to address, particularly quarterback protection, possession management and its defensive response during the second half.

New York Jets situation

Geno Smith had a strong return as the Jets' starting quarterback. He completed 19 of 24 passes for 215 yards with no interceptions and finished with a 104.0 passer rating. His connections with Garrett Wilson and Adonai Mitchell produced two of New York's most important passing plays.

Breece Hall was also central to the Jets' offensive approach. He rushed for 102 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries, while Braelon Allen added 40 yards on 10 attempts. The ground game helped New York control the clock and keep Tennessee's offense off the field.

The Jets defense also opened the season with a strong performance. New York held Tennessee to 195 total yards and recorded three sacks. Against Green Bay, generating pressure on Jordan Love will be an important factor, particularly after the Packers quarterback was sacked four times by Minnesota.

Green Bay Packers situation

Jordan Love produced strong passing numbers in Week 1, completing 21 of 42 attempts for 387 yards and two touchdowns. However, he also threw an interception and lost a fumble on a sack during Minnesota's comeback. Green Bay generated explosive plays but lost efficiency during the most important stretches of the game.

Christian Watson was Love's primary big-play threat against Minnesota. He finished with six receptions for 147 yards and two touchdowns, including an 81-yard touchdown catch. His ability to create explosive plays will again be important against the Jets secondary.

Green Bay's rushing attack was less productive in the opener. MarShawn Lloyd finished with 37 yards on 13 carries, while Chris Brooks added 29 yards on seven attempts. Improving the running game could help reduce pressure on Love and give the Packers offense more balance.

Players and factors to watch

Geno Smith will be one of the main players to watch after completing 79.2 percent of his passes in Week 1. His ability to distribute the ball without turning it over was an important part of New York's victory over Tennessee.

Breece Hall also figures to have a major role. His 100-plus-yard performance gave New York a consistent rushing threat, and Green Bay's defense will need to contain that production to prevent the Jets from sustaining long drives.

For the Packers, Jordan Love will face a Jets defense that generated consistent pressure against Cam Ward. Love threw for 387 yards against Minnesota but was also sacked four times and lost a fumble during the Vikings' comeback.

Christian Watson is another key piece for Green Bay after producing 147 yards and two touchdowns in Week 1. New York's defense will have to limit explosive plays from a Packers offense that demonstrated the ability to generate significant gains through the air.

Injuries to know

The New York Jets have several confirmed absences. Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick is out with a groin injury, while wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. is out with an ankle injury. Running back Kene Nwangwu is also out because of a back injury, and defensive end Joseph Ossai has been ruled out with a foot injury.

Will McDonald IV is listed as questionable with an ankle injury. His availability could be important for New York's ability to generate pressure against Jordan Love.

Green Bay also has several players on its injury report. Defensive tackle Warren Brinson is out with a calf injury, while Javon Hargrave is doubtful because of knee and concussion issues. Aaron Banks, Benjamin St-Juste, Zach Bako-Bewele and Lukas Van Ness are listed as questionable.

Head-to-head history

The New York Jets and Green Bay Packers do not meet frequently because they play in different conferences. Sunday's game will be the 15th meeting between the two franchises.

New York holds a 9-5 advantage in the series. Their most recent regular-season meeting took place on October 16, 2022, at Lambeau Field, where the Jets won 27-10.

The teams also met during the 2025 preseason, when New York won 30-10. That result was a preseason game and is not part of the official regular-season head-to-head record.

The franchises have never met in the playoffs, making this Week 2 matchup another chapter in a series that has produced relatively few regular-season meetings throughout NFL history.

Final preview

The New York Jets and Green Bay Packers enter Week 2 from different starting points. New York opened the season with a balanced performance on both sides of the ball, while Green Bay produced significant offensive numbers but ultimately lost after Minnesota scored 29 unanswered points.

The Jets' ability to control the game with Breece Hall and sustain long possessions will be important, while Green Bay will look to maximize the production of Jordan Love and Christian Watson without allowing another game to slip away after building an early advantage.

With the season still in its early stages, the matchup will offer an opportunity to see how both teams respond to their Week 1 results and which adjustments carry forward into the next part of the schedule.