NFL preseason action is well underway. We’ve got a packed slate on Saturday, including a matchup between the Green Bay Packers and the New York Jets.
You could call this the Aaron Rodgers divorce bowl. The Packers have moved on to bigger and better things with Jordan Love, who has rewarded them with two great seasons. Now the Jets are attempting to do the same with Justin Fields. Saturday will be his first official action in Jets green.
The Packers are three-point favorites at home in this game on the DraftKings Sportsbook. Green Bay is a -175 favorite on the moneyline, and the total is set at 38.5 points. Let’s get into a preview, prediction, and pick for this Packers-Jets game.
Packers Overview
The Packers are primarily set on the offensive side of the ball: no quarterback controversy, no backfield questions, and no offensive line concerns. But the target ladder in the wide receiver room is very much in question.
Finally, they did it. GM Brian Gutekunst drafted a receiver in the first round. It only took forever. Now Matthew Golden arrives to stake a claim in a talented group that lacks an alpha. They’ll be hoping iron sharpens iron, and that Golden can bring more out of Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, and Dontayvion Wicks.
The defense feels set as well. Outside of settling some battles at cornerback, the primary fighting comes at the backup positions. Green Bay has a lot of depth, and the staff will try to see who is next in line should any of the starters fall.
Jets Overview
New York has a lot more to settle on the offensive side of the ball than Green Bay does. The wide receiver group behind Garrett Wilson is wide open without Rodgers around to prop up Allen Lazard. It has some rookies looking to secure jobs between Armand Membou at right tackle and Mason Taylor at tight end. And the backup competition behind Breece Hall figures to be an important one. Expect heavy snaps from the less-than-presumptive starters in these first few drives.
On defense, the line is very much in flux. Quinnen Williams is the only player assured of a spot. There’s a battle on the edges led by former first-round picks Jermaine Johnson and Will McDonald IV. The DT spot next to Williams is also up for grabs between a trio of free agent additions. There’s also going to be significant competition for the starting spot opposite Sauce Gardner. It promises to be an exciting preseason in New York.
Game Preview
With both teams settled at QB, that means a lot of playing time from the backups. Malik Willis vs. Tyrod Taylor will take up a significant bulk of this game. And with two solid backups at the helm, it comes down to the strength of these rosters. That’s where the Packers Bay gets a significant edge.
Their depth at receiver is immense. The backup RB room is strong, as is the offensive line depth. And this defense can hold up against a feeble backup Jets offense with their quality depth. Give me the Cheeseheads all day.
