Packers piling up the penalties in
first two weeks of the season
[September 22, 2026]
By STEVE MEGARGEE
The Green Bay Packers are committing penalties at an alarming rate
rarely seen before in this franchise’s storied history.
Green Bay rallied from a 10-point, fourth-quarter deficit to beat
the New York Jets 20-17 in overtime on Sunday despite getting
penalized 14 times for 133 yards. That followed a 39-22 loss at
Minnesota in which the Packers committed 12 penalties for 98 yards.
According to Sportradar, that matches the Packers’ second-highest
penalty total for a two-game stretch within the same season since at
least 1950. The Packers also committed 26 penalties over two games
from Oct. 29 to Nov. 4 in 2007, and they were penalized 29 times
over two games from Nov. 1-8 in 1987.
Green Bay’s 26 total penalties for 231 yards represent the highest
totals for any NFL team in either category heading into Monday
night’s game.
“Those are things that stop drives, put you behind the sticks
obviously, and it’s tough to overcome,” quarterback Jordan Love said
after Sunday’s game. “That’s an area we’ve got to focus, clean up,
figure out what’s going on, especially on just pre-snap alignment
penalties, things like that.”
The Packers’ 14 penalties didn’t prove costly Sunday, in part
because the Jets were flagged 13 times for 156 yards.
But the Packers (1-1) might have beaten the Vikings if they hadn’t
been penalized on three third down plays in Minnesota’s go-ahead
touchdown drive. One penalty wiped out an interception. The other
two turned potential punting situations into first downs.
“The ones that are just mind-blowing are just the false starts,
jumping offside, lining up offside,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur
said. “Those are the ones that’ll get you beat.”
Green Bay had a number of those on Sunday. The Packers also had
multiple unnecessary roughness and holding infractions.
The Packers can’t afford to keep having double-digit penalty totals
to have any realistic chance at earning a fourth straight playoff
berth.
“Definitely an area we’ve got to improve,” Love said.
What’s working
After getting outscored 90-15 in the fourth quarter and overtime of
a six-game skid that began last season, the Packers showed they
could finish by scoring the final 13 points in a come-from-behind
victory Sunday. ... Special teams made a big difference, with Skyy
Moore’s 63-yard punt return setting up Trey Smack’s tying 34-yard
field goal in the fourth quarter before Smack won the game with a
26-yarder in overtime. Moore and Smack both received game balls. ...
The Packers sacked Geno Smith four times and have totaled seven
sacks in their first two games. … Green Bay's defense is allowing
just 3.9 yards per play to rank second in the NFL, behind only
Seattle. ... The Packers are allowing just 2.9 yards per rush.
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Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur looks on during an NFL
football game against the New York Jets in East Rutherford, N.J.,
Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
What needs help
The Packers went 1 of 9 on third down situations after going 3 of 12
at Minnesota. Their third down conversion rate of 19.1% is the worst
in the league. … The Packers also rank last in the NFL in yards
rushing per game (64.5) and were 29th in yards per carry (3.3).
Stock up
Edge rusher Lukas Van Ness has 2 ½ sacks in Green Bay’s first two
games. He totaled just 4 ½ sacks in 26 regular-season games from
2024-25. … Moore had a 43-yard kickoff return to go along with his
63-yard punt return. … LB Edgerrin Cooper has a sack in each of
Green Bay’s first two games.
Stock down
LT Jordan Morgan was penalized twice, though one was declined. … RT
Anthony Belton took over for the injured Zach Bako-Bewele and was
called for holding twice. … CB Keisean Nixon committed two pass
interference penalties, though one was declined.
Injuries
WR Jayden Reed and Bako-Bewele were carted off the field on
consecutive plays during Green Bay’s opening drive. Reed injured his
neck and was hospitalized overnight, though the Packers reported
after Sunday’s game that he had movement in his extremities and he
posted on X that he was “doing much better.” Bako-Bewele hurt his
knee, and LaFleur said after the game that “I think he could be out
for a long time.”
LG Aaron Banks left with a toe injury. Donovan Jennings took over
for Banks before leaving with a hand issue. LaFleur said Green Bay’s
offensive line was decimated to such an extent that the Packers
briefly discussed the possibility of playing TE Tucker Kraft at
tackle.
Key number
19 — Games in which Love has thrown multiple touchdown passes
without an interception. Love made his 50th start Sunday. The only
player to have more games with multiple touchdown passes and no
interceptions in his first 50 starts was Patrick Mahomes with 22.
Next steps
The Packers have their home opener Thursday night against the
Atlanta Falcons (0-2).
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