The Packers head to Foxborough with a little extra rest and a matchup that suddenly looks even on paper: Green Bay and New England both sit at 5-3.
That’s a big shift for the Patriots, who have gone from 1-2 to 5-3 by winning four of their last five. They’re also perfect at home, and after spending their last two games in Chicago and Miami, they’ll be glad to get back to Foxborough.
New England is coming off a 24-19 win over the Miami Dolphins, a game that featured former Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley and backup quarterback Malik Willis on the other sideline. It was also the fewest points the Patriots had scored since they were blown out 35-6 by the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sept. 27.
Drake Maye continued to steady the offense, completing 16 of 20 passes for 199 yards and two touchdowns. Rhamondre Stevenson added 82 yards on 19 carries. The Patriots weren’t flawless - Maye was sacked three times and the team put the ball on the ground three times, though only one fumble was lost - but they still found enough answers to finish the job.
New England also did the little things well. The Patriots went 2-for-2 on fourth down and converted six of 14 third-down tries. Miami matched that kind of efficiency, going 7-for-14 on third down, but New England’s defense made the difference in the biggest moments.
The Patriots’ pass rush stood out most. They sacked Willis five times, a number that should catch Green Bay’s attention given the way the Packers’ offensive line has looked. That pressure helped swing the game and gives New England a clear blueprint entering Week 9.
At home this season, the Patriots have been sharp. They beat the Pittsburgh Steelers by 17, the Las Vegas Raiders by 28, and the New York Jets by seven.
Against common opponents, both teams have seen the Bears and Jets, with New England beating the Jets at home 26-19 before losing in Chicago the next week, 30-24. Green Bay’s own game against the Jets is still memorable for the injuries to Zach Bako-Bewele and Jayden Reed on the opening drive, though the Packers still escaped with a 20-17 overtime win.
The Packers also have their own highlight from the season: a 31-7 win over the Bears.
Green Bay will again be without Micah Parsons, but the defense held up on Thursday, Oct. 29, limiting the Panthers to 19 points. The Packers are 2-2 on the road as they head into another test, this time against a Patriots team that has been especially tough at home.
In Other News...
Packers May Face A Backfield Reset They Can't Ignore
The 2026 NFL trade deadline is already drawing attention, and Jordan Schultz has said he expects it to be one of the busier ones around the league. For the Packers, the intrigue centers on Jonathan Taylor, a player who has spent his entire career with the Colts while Indianapolis continues reshaping its roster and moving on from other established names. Green Bays interest makes sense on paper, especially with Taylor carrying a strong off-field reputation and a track record that has kept him among the leagues most recognizable backs.
The timing only adds to the conversation in Green Bay, where the backfield has become a more complicated topic than it looked a year ago. Josh Jacobs has dealt with legal issues tied to domestic dispute allegations, and the Packers are now being linked to a player whose profile is very different from the one they already have in place. If the Colts keep listening and the deadline market heats up as expected, this is the kind of situation that could force Green Bay to decide how aggressive it wants to be about a reset. [Read more 🡒]
Packers Make Their Josh Jacobs Stance Clear Amid Serious Allegations
Josh Jacobs is once again at the center of an NFL review, and the Packers are already making clear they expect him to stay on the roster while the process plays out. The league has expanded its investigation after new allegations surfaced, adding another layer of scrutiny to a player whose recent past already included a six-game absence on the commissioners exempt list following a no contest plea tied to an earlier arrest.
For Green Bay, the immediate football question is less about availability than about how long this situation lingers around the team. Jacobs has already dealt with league discipline once, and the Packers now find themselves waiting on the NFLs next move while the review continues. The teams stance is straightforward for now, but the broader picture remains unsettled as the investigation moves forward. [Read more 🡒]
Packers May Have A New Linebacker Problem In The Best Way
The Packers have managed to keep their defense on track even while dealing with injuries at linebacker, and the next stretch could say a lot about how deep that room really is. With Edgerrin Cooper and Zaire Franklin sidelined, Isaiah McDuffie and Tyron Hopper have been asked to carry more of the load, and the unit has held up well enough to keep Green Bay from feeling the full weight of those absences.
Hopper, in particular, has started to look like more than a fill-in. His recent impact showed up all over the field, from tackles to disruption in coverage and even splash plays in the backfield, which is the kind of production that can complicate a coachs rotation once everyone is healthy again. Franklin is expected back soon, but if Hopper keeps stacking strong performances, the Packers may have a new kind of linebacker question on their hands. [Read more 🡒]