Packers shutout Jets 9-0, now in first in NFC North

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MEADOWLANDS, N.J. - The Green Bay Packers earned their first road shut-out since 1991, blanking the New York Jets 9-0 yesterday at the new Meadowlands Stadium.

The Green Bay defense kept the NFL’s second-best rushing attack in check, holding the Jets to 81 yards on the ground. The Packers basically dared quarterback Mark Sanchez to beat them, and he had a quarterback rating of only 43.3. Sanchez completed 16-of-38 passes for 256 yards and two interceptions. Charles Woodson and Tramon Williams made the picks, pulling the balls from their receivers’ hands each time. Packers’ defensive coordinator Dom Capers said his unit quote, “fought their tails off.” Capers had four defensive starters out with injuries, and newcomers Howard Green and Erik Walden made key plays despite being with the team for only a few days. The Jets were shut out at home for the first time since 2006, and they ended a five-game winning streak.

Meanwhile, the Green Bay offense sputtered, with 237 total yards to the Jets’ 360. Kicker Mason Crosby had the Packers’ only scoring with field goals of 20, 41, and 40 yards. Aaron Rodgers completed 15-of-34 passes for 170 yards. Greg Jennings had six catches for 81 yards. Brandon Jackson had 15 carries for 55 yards. Punter Tim Masthay had a good day, with eight kicks that averaged 41-and-a-half net yards. Five of the eight punts landed within the Jets’ 20-yard line.

Jets’ running back LaDainian Tomlinson only ran 54 yards – but he still became only the second player besides the late Walter Payton to have 13,000 career rushing yards and four-thousand receiving yards. Packers’ receiver Donald Driver aggravated a quadriceps injury and left early. Corner-and-kickoff returner Pat Lee left in the first quarter with a sprained ankle. X-rays were negative.

The Packers claimed sole possession of first place in the NFC North with their win over the Jets. At 5-3, Green Bay now has a half-game lead over 4-3 Chicago, which had its bye yesterday. Minnesota fell into a last-place tie with Detroit, both at 2-5. The Vikings lost at New England 28-18, while the Lions beat Washington at home, 37-25.

Tags: wisconsin sports, proam, football, packers