Defense Prevails as the Green Bay Packers Pull Out a Tight Win over the NY Jets

One team has enjoyed fame and fortune, big expectations and a great amount of success.

The other, plagued by injuries and mistakes, has endured a struggle throughout the beginning of the 2010 NFL season.

Today, however, the Green Bay Packers showed that, even with all the injuries and let downs, they can still be a top tier football team. The defense showed up and shut down New York, sacking Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez twice, recovering two fumbles and causing two, albeit questionable, interceptions. Combine that with a little bit of luck, and the Packers came up with a big win against the New York Jets.

The Jets used both of their challenges early on in the game. Since both of them failed, New York was forced to stand idly by as the referees made a questionable call in the second half on a Charles Woodson interception. Because there could be no coach's challenge, the Packers got the ball and kept the momentum.

Aaron Rodgers and the offense could not seem to put together any big plays, which should come of no surprise against a staunch Jets defense. Mike McCarthy was true to his word, however, as he got Greg Jennings more involved in the offense. Jennings finished the day with six catches for 81 yards and proved to be a difficult match for Darelle Revis all day long. 

Still, the defense was the story as Green Bay held LaDainian Tomlinson to just 54 yards rushing and 37 yards receiving. The Packers run defense held the Jets to a mere 121 yards of total rushing offense, a number that was predicted to be much larger before Sunday's game.

Green Bay has to take this game for what it was: a tough, hard fought victory that shows the character and heart of the team. Next week, they will face a hapless Dallas Cowboys team that they cannot take for granted. Even though the team is 1-6, they still have players that can produce offensively. At 5-3, however, the Packers have begun to prove that they are a force to be reckoned with in the NFC.