By MARQUES EVERSOLL
When the Packers have the ball: It may not be the offensive explosion many seem to be expecting after getting bottled up in the season opener against the Seattle Seahawks. After all, this is still a Rex Ryan defense.
As long as the offensive line can keep Aaron Rodgers upright, the Packers should have their way with the Jets, especially on the back end. As good as New York’s front seven is, the Packers will likely look to get Eddie Lacy involved early to soften up the defense.
When the Jets have the ball: First and foremost, the Packers need to stack the box and prevent Chris Ivory and Chris Johnson from gashing them with the run. Geno Smith played well last week against the Raiders, but playing well and playing catch-up are two different things. The Jets aren’t a team built to come from behind.
Big Game Alert: Packers WR Jarrett Boykin
After being shut out – or sacrificed – last week against Richard Sherman and the Seattle Seahawks, look for Boykin to get involved early. The Jets aren’t deep at all at cornerback, and I’m expecting Boykin to take a page out of the James Jones playbook in terms of production. Remember last year when Jones was shut out in Week 1 in San Francisco? Yeah, then he came out in Week 2 and caught 11 balls for 178 yards against Washington. I’m not saying Boykin catches 11 passes, but I think he has a big day.
PREDICTION: Packers 27, Jets 16
The Jets have one of the better front sevens in football, but the secondary, quite simply, isn’t very good. Calvin Pryor, the team’s first-round pick, will probably be a very good player some day, and Dee Milliner, last year’s first round pick, makes his 2014 debut as their No. 1 cornerback, but Rodgers won’t shy away from any matchup. The Packers’ receivers are clearly better than the Jets’ defensive backs.
If the Packers’ run defense can contain New York’s running game, this one is over. It might be closer than some people think, but if the Packers rush out to an early lead, the Jets are in trouble.
You can hear Marques on SportsLine, Monday through Friday 4:00-6:00pm on WDUZ 107.5 FM and 1400 AM “The Fan” and on the Saturday Morning Showcase at 8 am on Saturdays. You can follow him on Twitter @MJEversoll and/or email him at [email protected].
