Green Bay Packers vs. New York Jets: 5 Observations from the Game

The Green Bay Packers defense pitched a shutout of the New York Jets on Sunday, and kicker Mason Crosby's three field goals were more than enough as the Packers beat the Jets 9-0 at the New Meadowlands. 

It was a big win for Green Bay (5-3), as they're fighting through numerous injuries and an offense that accomplished nearly nothing the entire game. 

Here are five observations from the Packers win on Sunday. 

The Packers Might Have a Punter

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GREEN BAY, WI - SEPTEMBER 19: Tim Masthay #8 of the Green Bay Packers punts the ball against the Buffalo Bills at Lambeau Field on September 19, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Bills 34-7. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Tim Masthay's 44-yard average might not jump off the screen as unbelievable, but the Packers punter was finally effective at pinning the opposing offense inside their own 20-yard line. 

Of Masthay's eight punts, five were downed inside the 20 and that was huge in keeping the Jets off the scoreboard. 

Much has been made of the Packers punting situation, but Masthay has begun to show some confidence in his kicking and it's paying off for the Packers' special teams. 

Hopefully Masthay can continue to build on his recent success and turn the Packers' recent punting woes into an underrated weapon. 

Greg Jennings Is the Packers' Best Offensive Weapon by a Long Shot

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CHICAGO - SEPTEMBER 27: Greg Jennings #85 of the Green Bay Packers reacts after he scored a 7-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on September 27, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/

Packers receiver Greg Jennings got off to an inconsistent start to his 2010 season, but as the last weeks have proven, good things happen when Jennings gets the football. 

Jennings continued a strong stretch of play with a six-catch, 81-yard effort Sunday, and again showed that the Packers need to get him the ball as the focal point in the Green Bay offense. 

And in my opinion, he should see the ball more. He's as dynamic a receiver in the open field as there is in the NFL, and I doubt any Packers fans are going to say, "We're throwing the ball to Greg Jennings too much today."

In the Packers' last three games, Jennings has averaged six catches for 96 yards. Green Bay would do well to keep those numbers coming the rest of the season. 

The Packers Defense Showed a Lot of Heart

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 31: Jerricho Cotchery #89 of the New York Jets can not hold onto a pass as he is defended by Tramon Williams #38 of the Green Bay Packers late in the fourth quarter on October 31, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East R

The injuries to the Packers defense have been well-chronicled, and it'd be hard to say anyone could have seen a shutout on the road coming from this unit. 

But that's exactly what we got out of the Packers defense, and it's the first time Green Bay has shut out an opponent on the road since 1991. 

The defense did it with a lot of backups playing major roles, and with a lot of heart from a squad that, in back-to-back weeks, has showed plenty of it. 

Two interceptions, a fumble recovery and two consecutive 4th down stops were just a few of the defensive highlights from Sunday, and the Packers defense gets all the credit for this victory. 

Aaron Rodgers Struggles, Again

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 31: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers throws a pass against the New York Jets on October 31, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was pedestrian again Sunday, and he's lucky the defense pitched a shutout because he'd be taking a lot of flack for his performance against the Jets. 

Rodgers was 15-of-34 for 170 yards and no touchdowns, a stat line that has to rank among his worst in his 41 career starts for the Packers. 

The offense was only able to muster 237 total yards on 62 plays (3.8 average/play) and converted just 2-of-14 3rd-down conversions. 

But the major issue here is that Rodgers and the offense was only responsible for three of the Packers' nine total points. On both the first and last Packers field goals, the defense gave the offense the ball inside field goal range. 

A win is a win, no doubt, but Rodgers' consistently shaky play has to be worrisome moving forward. A 59.7 rating isn't going to beat many teams, and Rodgers has to be feeling a bit fortunate that his miserable play didn't cost the Packers a victory.  

The Packers Finally Showed They Belong in the Conversation

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 31: Frank Zombo #58 (L) of the Green Bay Packers celebrates after Jerricho Cotchery #89 of the New York Jets misses a catch in the fourth quarter on October 31, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jer

Plain and simple, beating the Jets on the road puts the Packers back in the conversation among the NFL's elite. Many national pundits were comfortable placing the Jets among the NFL's top three teams, so by beating them in this fashion, the Packers send a statement to the rest of the league. 

The Packers' hobbled defense thoroughly dominated the Jets offense, and the offense did nothing to screw things up. 

The 5-3 Packers are now in sole possession of first place in the NFC North, and with the floundering Dallas Cowboys heading to Lambeau Field next weekend, the Packers have a good shot at being 6-3 before their much-needed bye week. 

Green Bay should finally get a chance at getting healthy again, gearing themselves for a playoff run in the second half.