The Green Bay Packers took on the New England Patriots in week nine in a battle between two 5-3 teams. This was a huge win for Green Bay, who have been playing some impressive football over the last few weeks. The Packers were dominant from the get-go en route to a 45-27 win against a competitive Patriots team that had been playing well over the last few weeks.
Winner: Kaleb Johnson
For the first time this season, the rushing attack for the Green Bay Packers can actually be looked at in a positive light. They went over 100 yards rushing for the first time since the 2025 season and were spearheaded by Kaleb Johnson. Johnson was acquired during the preseason by trading a sixth-round pick to provide depth to a running back room that was in desperate need of it.
During Sunday’s game, Johnson produced the best game by a Packers running back this season. He led the team with 68 yards on 14 carries with one touchdown. He averaged 4.9 yards per carry and had the team’s longest run of the season, which was 34 yards. What’s interesting is that this would be Johnson’s third game of the year averaging over four yards per carry, which no back on the team can say. Unfortunately, costly penalties and fumbles put him in the doghouse, costing him playing time. His snap count moving forward will be something to monitor.
Loser: Josh Jacobs
While Green Bay finally had something positive happen in the run game, the negativity was still present on Sunday. Josh Jacobs started the game but came out during the first quarter with a hand injury and never returned. His status is still unclear moving forward, but he was not good during his brief time in this game. He had five yards on four attempts and even fumbled before coming out of the game. Green Bay hoped for a jolt to their rushing attack when he returned to the lineup three weeks ago, but Jacobs is averaging just 2.3 yards per attempt on his 32 carries. He has been a massive disappointment this season, and this game just added to that.
Winner(s): The Wide Receivers
The performance put forth by both Matthew Golden and Christian Watson was truly something special against the Patriots. Golden started the game off completely on fire, setting his career high for receiving yards in just the first quarter. He finished the game catching all ten of his targets for 164 yards and a touchdown, including a beautiful 49-yard bomb in the first quarter. This was a nice step forward for Golden, who’s been great all year but has been suffering from some drops over the last couple of weeks.
On the other side of the field, Christian Watson was just as good and is continuing to show why he’s been one of the best wide receivers this season. He finished the game catching seven of his eight targets for 174 yards and a touchdown. Watson is now sitting at 708 yards on the year, which has him in fourth place. Golden isn’t too far behind with 619 yards, which has him slotted in seventh in the league.
Loser: Ty’Ron Hopper
This is an unfortunate one because Ty’Ron Hopper was coming off the best game of his career last week and was the starter against New England. After suffering a chest injury in the first quarter, he was ruled out, and his status moving forward is unclear as of now. He will be monitored throughout the week but if he misses time that will be a big loss for Green Bay who is very short of depth at the linebacker position.
The team was already down two linebackers coming into the game, so losing Hopper forced Nick Niemann to come in, who is normally a special teams player. This also hurt the Packers’ pass defense in the middle of the field, something the Patriots took advantage of by targeting both Niemann and Isiah McDuffie. Both of whom gave up big catches; Niemann in particular was beaten pretty badly with a wheel route out of the backfield for a touchdown.
Winner(s): The Safeties
Similar to the wide receivers, both of the starting safeties deserve to be shouted out for their performances. Xavier McKinney started the game off with an interception of Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, not to be outdone by Evan Williams, who is putting together a fantastic season. Williams posted five tackles as well as his own interception off a Brandon Cisse tipped pass, showing phenomenal effort. McKinney got himself a second interception later in the game as well.
Both of these guys have played some great football this season, with Williams really taking his game to the next level in 2026. He’s currently the highest-rated safety per Pro Football Focus, with a 90.6 overall grade, and was also selected as the LFG player of the game, which is a weekly award presented by Fox commentator Tom Brady.
Loser: Aaron Banks
This may sound harsh, but Aaron Banks will go down as one of the worst signings in recent Green Bay Packers history. At the very least, a strong argument could be made that it’s the worst of the Brian Gutekunst era. Banks was signed to a massive deal during the 2025 offseason totaling four years and 77 million dollars. He has yet to live up to that contract whatsoever up to this point.
Whether it be injuries or poor play, Banks hasn’t worked out. Against New England, it was more of the same. He was credited with giving up three pressures in the first half, per PFF, before briefly coming out of the game with an injury. He was able to finish the game but was outplayed by veteran backup Kevin Zeitler, who fans have been clamoring to get playing time.
Winner: Jordan Love
Jordan Love just put on a masterful performance that may catapult him into MVP conversations. Love went 23/29 for 372 yards and three touchdowns on the day. Love has been on an impressive run over the last several weeks, and what has been most impressive is his ability to throw the ball downfield. He had nine passes go over 20 yards, topping his previous high of five against the Chicago Bears earlier this year. He is the only quarterback in the NFL to achieve this feat, much less do it twice. Love has been fantastic for the Packers all season, and this may have been his best game and a statement game in terms of the MVP conversation.
End Of My Green Bay Packers Rant
This was a big win for a Packers team that is hitting its stride on both sides of the ball. This was an offensive explosion backed up by a defensive beatdown as well. Green Bay has shown in multiple games this season that they are one of the toughest teams to beat when they are firing on all cylinders.
