Green Bay Packers Rally Past New York Jets In Overtime Thriller At MetLife Stadium

What began as a difficult afternoon for the Green Bay Packers ended with rookie kicker Trey Smack at the center of a dramatic finish. On Sunday, September 20, 2026, Green Bay overcame a 10 point fourth quarter deficit and defeated the New York Jets 20 to 17 in overtime at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Smack completed the comeback with a 26 yard field goal with 5:23 remaining in overtime. The result left both Green Bay and New York with 1 and 1 records after two games.

Jets Build Their Advantage Before Green Bay Responds

The New York Jets entered the fourth quarter in control. Quarterback Geno Smith connected with Garrett Wilson for a touchdown late in the third quarter, giving New York a 14 to 7 advantage. The Jets then recovered a Green Bay fumble deep in Packers territory and converted the opportunity into a 32 yard field goal. That extended New York's lead to 17 to 7 with 11:08 remaining.

The sequence put Green Bay under considerable pressure. Instead of allowing the game to slip away, quarterback Jordan Love and the Packers offense found enough momentum to respond. Love connected with Christian Watson on a three yard touchdown pass, reducing the Jets' advantage to three points with 7:58 remaining.

Special teams then provided Green Bay with another opportunity. Skyy Moore delivered a 63 yard punt return that gave the Packers excellent field position. Smack followed with a 34 yard field goal, tying the game at 17 with just over three minutes remaining in regulation.

New York still had an opportunity to retake control before the end of the fourth quarter. Green Bay's defense, however, stopped the Jets on fourth and one near midfield. The Packers could not convert their ensuing possession into points, sending the game to overtime.

Green Bay Finishes The Comeback In Overtime

New York won the overtime coin toss and received the ball first, but Green Bay's defense quickly changed the direction of the extra period. Barryn Sorrell and Lukas Van Ness recorded sacks on consecutive plays, helping the Packers force a Jets punt.

Green Bay then began what became the decisive possession. Kaleb Johnson opened the drive with an 11 yard run. Chris Brooks followed with a 15 yard reception, and another 15 yards were added following a personal foul. Love then completed a 14 yard pass to Matthew Golden, moving the Packers inside the Jets' 10 yard line.

Smack came onto the field with an opportunity to finish the comeback. His 26 yard field goal was successful, giving Green Bay the 20 to 17 victory.

Love completed 16 of 29 passes for 145 yards and two touchdowns. Watson caught four passes for 41 yards and a touchdown, while Golden finished with four receptions for 58 yards.

For New York, Smith completed 27 of 41 passes for 247 yards and one touchdown. Breece Hall was held to 29 rushing yards on 16 carries but added 63 receiving yards.

Penalties also played a significant role throughout the afternoon. The two teams combined for 27 penalties totaling 289 yards. The repeated infractions disrupted drives, changed field position, and contributed to an uneven contest for both sides.

Injuries Cast A Shadow Over The Game

The significance of the afternoon extended beyond the final score. Green Bay wide receiver Jayden Reed suffered a neck injury on the Packers' second offensive play after catching a short pass from Love. Medical personnel attended to Reed on the field before he was placed on a backboard and transported to a hospital. Later reports indicated that Reed had movement in his extremities and was expected to remain hospitalized overnight for observation.

On the next play, Green Bay tackle Zach Bako Bewele suffered a knee injury and was taken from the field on a cart. Both players were ruled out for the remainder of the game.

Green Bay also lost Aaron Banks and Donovan Jennings to injuries during the contest. Those setbacks added another layer of difficulty to a game in which the Packers were already trying to overcome a fourth quarter deficit.

What The Result Means For New York Football Fans

For the Jets, the defeat demonstrates how quickly control of an NFL game can change. New York held a 17 to 7 advantage during the fourth quarter but could not protect it. Green Bay scored the final 13 points while preventing the Jets from answering during the decisive stages.

New York's failed fourth down attempt late in regulation and difficult opening possession in overtime proved especially important. The Packers, meanwhile, found contributions from their offense, defense, and special teams when the margin for error was at its smallest.

For Green Bay, the victory provided an immediate response following an opening week defeat. It also demonstrated the team's ability to recover from injuries, penalties, turnovers, and a double digit deficit on the road.

For New York readers, the central takeaway is clear. The Jets showed they could establish a substantial advantage against Green Bay, but maintaining that advantage through the final minutes proved to be the greater challenge. With both teams at 1 and 1, the September 20 matchup offers an early measure of how each club handles pressure and responds to setbacks as the 2026 NFL season continues.