EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Even during the bleakest moments of Sunday's adversity-filled, injury-riddled matchup with the New York Jets, the Packers still had hope on the visitor's sideline at MetLife Stadium.
One play. That's all Green Bay felt was needed to get things rolling. One big play.
Enter Skyy Moore.
Signed in March to stabilize the Packers' return game, the 5-foot-10, 195-pound receiver was the spark that ignited a remarkable 20-17 overtime win over the New York Jets in front of 78,674.
Down three with a little more than four minutes left in regulation, Moore broke a 63-yard punt return down the sideline to the New York 19. The play positioned rookie kicker Trey Smack for a 34-yard field goal to tie the game at 17. Smack then made a game-winning 26-yard attempt in overtime to end it.
"I pride myself on wanting to take that last shot, you would say – being in the motion and wanting to be the guy," Moore said. "I'm just so proud of the whole punt return and kick return unit, all special teams, honestly, coming out here and doing what we wanted to do."
Moore elevated the Packers' return units the entire afternoon, racking up 202 return yards (116 yards on four kickoffs and 92 yards on four punts).
In addition to his late 63-yard punt return, Moore also had a 43-yard kickoff return in the second quarter. Both were longer than Green Bay's longest kickoff return (36 yards) and punt return (20 yards) all of last season.
That production went a long way for a Packers team that finished with 199 total yards, went 1-of-9 on third down and had 14 accepted penalties against them for 133 yards.
"He was a game-changer for us," said receiver Christian Watson, who had four catches for 41 yards and a touchdown. "I don't think we win that football game without (number) 23. Just to have Skyy out there and to make the plays that he did, he was that spark for us, for sure."
A former second-round pick by Kansas City, Moore enjoyed a career renaissance last year in San Francisco. It was the first time he'd really returned kickoffs and punts in his career, and it proved to be a turning point for the 26-year-old playmaker.
Now in Green Bay, Moore wants to be a driving force for a rejuvenated special teams unit under new coordinator Cam Achord.
"I just love running through the smoke, being out there," Moore said. "I get joy out of seeing where I can get Jordan (Love) in field position. My goal is to hit the 50 every time. That's what I wanna do. Coach might say 35 or something, but I'm trying to get in field-goal range off the rip."
No doubter: One week after making the second-longest field goal in Packers history, Smack continued to prove that no moment is too big for him with his two late field goals.
"Go out there and hit your best ball," said Smack, who's made the first five field goals of his NFL career and is 3-of-4 on PATs. "I always think gameday; I just shut my mind off and let my body take over."
Afterwards, several veterans in Green Bay's locker room praised Smack's composure and expressed their confidence in the rookie to finish out that victory.
Watson: "Big time. Smack down right there. He's gonna knock it down every time. I'm super grateful to have him on our team for sure."
Tight end Tucker Kraft: "That's the headline. Trey, I pray for his mindset, and I pray for his consistency that he can continue to own his role and be there for us in these crucial moments."
Moore: "I knew he would smack that."
Hercules, Hercules: Lukas Van Ness turned in a career performance on Sunday, leading the Packers with nine tackles (three for a loss), four quarterback hits and 1½ sacks.
According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Van Ness generated a career-high nine pressures, five of which came under 2.5 seconds, tied for the third-most by a Packers defender since 2020.
The fourth-year edge rusher was limited in practice this week as he worked his way through the concussion protocol. Once Van Ness got the green light Saturday, he was hungry to get after it.
"I just came in today and I was just focused on dominating," Van Ness said. "I came in with the mentality I was ready to play. Throughout the week, I was getting off of protocol and just trying to find a way to get on that field and I'm happy I was able to but had a lot of fun out there today."
It was a complete performance for Van Ness. He opened with a 3-yard tackle for a loss of Breece Hall at the end of the first quarter before sacking Smith two plays later to force a three-and-out.
After Smack tied the game in the fourth quarter, the former first-round pick shot through the line to tackle Braelon Allen for no gain on a fourth-and-1 carry at midfield with 1 minute, 20 seconds left in regulation to help force overtime.
In the extra period, Van Ness combined with Dani Dennis-Sutton to sack Smith for a 9-yard loss on second-and-16. The Jets were forced to punt two plays later.
"I'm drained right now," Van Ness said. "I'm exhausted, but it feels good. I laid it all out there for the team and more than anything, I just had a lot of fun today. So, it feels good to get rewarded with that W."
For Jayden and Zach: It's hard to envision a more difficult start than the one that the Packers encountered, as receiver Jayden Reed (neck) and tackle Zach Bako-Bewele (knee) were carted off the field on back-to-back plays on the opening drive.
Reed, who left on a backboard, posted on X after the game: "Doing much better, appreciate all the prayers and support." The team confirmed he has all feeling in his extremities but will stay overnight for further observation.
"As far as I've heard, it's positive news so far," Watson said. "I'm just keeping him in my thoughts and prayers. I never want to see that for anybody on that field but especially someone that I consider a brother to myself. I spend more time with J-Reed than I do my family. That's my dawg."
Bako-Bewele was injured on the very next play, with Anthony Belton replacing him at right tackle. Left guard Aaron Banks (toe) and his replacement Donovan Jennings (hand) also left with injuries later in the game, leaving rookie fifth-round pick Jager Burton as the last available O-lineman.
"(I was) kind of was already on high alert and then I saw Dono messed up his finger," Burton said. "Sean just looked at me and said, 'Ready to go?' I said, 'Hell yeah.'
"I'm really proud of the group. Thankful for them and the way they've treated me coming in and helping bring me along."
