Packers have another reason to worry ahead of Jets clash

It was pretty much a blowout on Sunday in the Green Bay Packers' debut game of the season against the Minnesota Vikings. While the Packers looked steady for a while, the Vikings came back to totally trounce them in a 39-22 Minnesota victory.

It wasn't pretty for the Packers and their fans. But, this is the NFL, and games like this happen. It just hurts more when these games happen for the very first game of the season.

Now, on top of that bad showing, the Packers have another reason to be worried heading into their game against the New York Jets this weekend. It has to do with how they're perceived in the NFL.

Packers drop seven spots in ESPN's NFL power rankings

On Tuesday, ESPN released its official NFL power rankings ahead of Week 2, and it reflects the wins and losses from the week before. In their tally, the Packers dropped a great deal: seven spots.

Going down seven places in a ranking is a big deal. Not only that, but the Vikings went up an impressive five spots. That's something to worry about when you see an NFC North opponent who just beat you soar like that.

Rob Demovsky of ESPN does like kicker Trey Smack, however. What's not to like after this performance on Sunday?

"How about a 59-yarder for your first NFL field goal? Smack nailed it in the first quarter against the Vikings," Demovsky notes. "He made all of his field goal attempts, also hitting from 43 and 26 yards. He even made a 40-yarder that coach Matt LaFleur took off the board because of a penalty on the Vikings."

He adds, "Smack's only miscues were a missed extra-point attempt and one kickoff into the end zone."

The Jets made a statement in Week 1, taking down the Titans for their first season-opening victory since 2023. They're coming off a massive win for this franchise. Now, the Jets turn their attention to a Packers team looking to bounce back after a rough start.

Here's another reason the Packers should worry. The Vikings found success getting after Love in the opener, sacking him four times and forcing two turnovers. Minnesota's defense also had a whopping 15 QB hits. New York's defense — which sacked Titans QB Cam Ward three times and had five QB hits — will look to bring some of that same pressure to this matchup.

So, the Packers have something extra to worry about ahead of their game against the Jets this weekend. But, a solid win could go a long way to get them back up in the rankings.