I. A Win That Didn’t Feel Like One

MetLife Stadium went quiet in the final seconds, but the air didn’t feel victorious — it felt relieved.
The Green Bay Packers had just escaped with a 23-20 win over the New York Jets, but “escape” is the word that stuck.

For a team trying to prove it belongs among the NFC’s elite, this wasn’t a statement — it was survival.

Jordan Love smiled afterward, but his eyes betrayed the exhaustion. “A win’s a win,” he said, voice flat, as if trying to convince himself.

Head coach Matt LaFleur’s words carried the same duality. “We found a way,” he said. “But it shouldn’t have come to that.”

What unfolded in East Rutherford was both ugly and instructive — a snapshot of where the 2025 Packers stand: talented enough to dominate, inconsistent enough to almost implode.

Let’s grade the performance, position by position, and see what Green Bay’s escape from New York truly revealed.

Quarterbacks — Grade: B

Jordan Love’s night was a paradox — poised, erratic, and clutch all at once.

He finished with 255 yards, two touchdowns, and one brutal red-zone interception that nearly flipped the game. For every laser to Christian Watson, there was a hesitation throw that stalled a drive.

But what separates this version of Love from his 2023 self is emotional recovery. After the pick, he returned with rhythm — hitting tight windows, resetting his feet, leading a 10-play, 74-yard drive capped by a dart to Jayden Reed.

LaFleur’s play-calling finally trusted him in the no-huddle, and Love responded with confidence. Still, his footwork under pressure remains inconsistent, especially against disguised zone looks.

Verdict: Growing pains mixed with growing authority. He’s no longer a question mark, but not yet a constant.
Grade: B

Running Backs — Grade: B-

For the first time in weeks, the Packers leaned on tempo more than ground control. Josh Jacobs ran hard — 19 carries, 82 yards, one touchdown — but the Jets’ defensive front made him earn every inch.

His physicality late in the fourth quarter helped chew clock, yet the burst that once defined his Raider days feels muted. Jacobs is reliable, not revolutionary.

Rookie MarShawn Lloyd flashed in limited reps — one 15-yard scamper on an inside-zone counter turned heads — but fumbled during the second quarter, killing momentum.

Patrick Taylor provided steady pass protection, a small but critical contribution against New York’s blitz packages.

Verdict: Tough yards, tougher sledding. The commitment to balance remains admirable, but explosive plays are missing.
Grade: B-