Jets vs. Packers: NFL preseason betting odds, preview, and pick

The New York Jets and Green Bay Packers are both utilizing this year’s preseason schedule to get repetitions for a couple young quarterbacks.

For the Jets, it is rookie first-round pick Zach Wilson, who they've already announced as their starter. For the Packers, it is last year’s first-round pick, Jordan Love, although he is expected to get some time off this week, after he injured his shoulder injury in the Packers' first preseason game.

The teams will play in Week 2 of the 2021 NFL Preseason on Saturday. Let’s take a closer look at the betting odds and how the Jets and Packers match up.

Love in Lambeau?

When the Green Bay Packers used their 2020 first-round draft pick on Love, fans and players around the league scratched their heads. After all, the Packers have Aaron Rodgers. The selection appeared to cause friction with Rodgers, who put everyone through an offseason of doubt on his intent to play in 2021.

With Rodgers seemingly intent on playing one final season with the Packers, it is imperative Love shows he is a worthy starting candidate for 2022.

He hasn’t looked great in practice, but his preseason debut was serviceable. He completed 12 of his 17 passes for 122 yards and tossed the Packers’ lone touchdown of the game. Love injured his shoulder in the game, but his MRI on Sunday came back clean. He will likely miss some practice this week, but is listed as questionable for the game against the Jets.

Which receivers will step up?

If the Jets are going to make Wilson a success, they will need to supply offensive weapons to target.

Their starting receivers include Jamison Crowder, Denzel Mims, and recently acquired Corey Davis, but they could use more help.

In their first preseason game, 17 different players caught a ball. Fourth-year pro Vyncint Smith separated himself from the pack, with three catches for 39 yards and a dandy play on special teams.

Smith stands 6’3” and has been clocked for a 4.36 40-yard dash, which makes him one of the faster players on the roster. Look for Smith to get more playing time, as the Jets try to make their offense more threatening.

Jets and Packers Trends

• The Jets are 3-6 ATS in their last nine games
• Four of the last five Jets games have gone Under the projected total
• The Jets are 1-11 straight-up in their last 12 games against NFC North opponents
• The Packers are 7-2 ATS in their last nine games
• The Packers are 3-0 ATS in their last three games against the Jets

Packers will win the day

If Love is ready to play, he should get plenty of opportunities to put the ball up through the air, but even if Kurt Benkert gets most of the snaps, Green Bay won't be shy about throwing early and often (Benkert completed eight of his 12 passes in the first preseason game).

The Packers have a few new, young receivers they will look to break in, and that should make the difference.

Score prediction: Packers 21, Jets 13

NFL Preseason pick: Packers -3.5