Cooper's Sack Anchors Packers' OT Win over Jets

The Lambeau Field turf was still damp from the afternoon rain when Edgerrin Cooper closed in on Geno Smith. The former Texas A&M linebacker wrapped his arms around the Jets quarterback, driving him into the grass with a force that snapped the momentum. That ten-yard sack was the final nail in the coffin for New York’s drive, setting the stage for a decisive field goal that sealed Green Bay’s 20-17 overtime victory.

Cooper did not just make the big play; he built the foundation for it. Across the game, he posted eight tackles, three for loss, and a quarterback hit. His presence turned the Packers’ defense into a grinding, physical unit that limited the Jets to 67 rushing yards. According to Yahoo Sports, this performance marked the second consecutive week where the Aggie star lit up the stat sheet.

Fourth-Quarter Defensive Shift

Green Bay found itself trailing 17-7 early in the fourth quarter, a deficit that threatened to end the season’s promising start. The offense responded with ten unanswered points, but the real test came in the extra period. The Jets, starting at their own 30-yard line, struggled to gain ground. A holding penalty erased a positive play, and Cooper was there to stifle Breece Hall, ensuring the ball stayed out of New York’s hands.

The pressure mounted. Consecutive sacks forced a punt, handing the ball back to Green Bay. With the clock ticking down, rookie kicker Trey Smack stepped up. Five plays later, his 26-yard field goal sailed over the crossbar, the ball hanging in the air before the crowd’s roar swallowed the sound of the stadium.

Consistent Early Season Form

This was not an isolated moment of brilliance. Cooper recorded seven tackles and a sack in the season-opening loss to Minnesota. Defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon described the linebacker as "lights out," noting how he was "all over the place" during that contest. Through two weeks, Cooper has accumulated 15 tackles and two sacks, emerging as the most consistent force on the Green Bay defense.

His production offers a crucial buffer for the team. With star pass rusher Micah Parsons still returning to form, Cooper’s ability to pressure quarterbacks and shed blocks is vital. The Packers’ ability to complete a fourth-quarter comeback and win in overtime underscores the depth now present in the defensive unit, a stark contrast to the struggles seen in the opener.

Upcoming Falcons Challenge

The celebration at Lambeau Field was brief. The Packers return home Thursday to face the Atlanta Falcons. The team must carry the momentum from the Jets victory into this next matchup. For Cooper, the focus remains on maintaining the high standard he has set in the first two weeks of the 2026 NFL season.