The New York Jets want to head into the regular season with optimism, and a win Saturday at Lambeau Field in a Week 2 2021 NFL preseason matchup with the Packers would be a boost. New York beat the Giants 12-7 last week to kick off the preseason with a win under new coach Robert Saleh. Rookie quarterback Zach Wilson impressed in limited action, and the defense was ferocious. Now, they face a Packers team that went 13-3 and reached the NFC title game in 2020 but will be resting the bulk of its starters. Still, a win in Green Bay in front of fans would instill confidence.

Kickoff is set for 4:25 p.m. ET. New York is listed as the 2.5-point favorite in Caesars Sportsbook's latest Jets vs. Packers odds, and the over-under for total points scored is 31.5. Before locking in any Packers vs. Jets picks, make sure to check out the expert NFL predictions from SportsLine NFL expert R.J. White. 

CBS Sports' Fantasy and gambling editor, White ended the 2020 season on an 80-59 run on all NFL picks, returning more than $1,400 during that span. It's no surprise, as White has cashed huge twice in the world's most prestigious football handicapping competition, the Las Vegas SuperContest. 

In addition, White has gone a stunning 42-12 on his last 54 picks involving the Packers. Anyone who has followed him is way up.

Now, White has set his sights on Jets vs. Packers and just revealed his NFL expert picks and predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see his picks. Here are several NFL odds and betting trends for Packers vs. Jets:

Jets vs. Packers odds, spread, over-under, money line

  • Jets vs. Packers spread: New York -2.5
  • Jets vs. Packers over-under: 31.5 points 
  • Jets vs. Packers money line: New York -140, Green Bay +120
  • NYJ: New York was 6-10 against the spread overall in 2020
  • GB: Green Bay was 6-4 ATS at Lambeau Field last season

Why the Jets can cover

Wilson ran an efficient offense last week against the Giants, and the second overall pick out of BYU is expected to get a longer look Saturday. He played two series in the opener and went 6-for-9 for 63 yards, leading the team to a field goal. Mike White looked solid in his bid for the backup job with 127 passing yards. The focus could be on the running game Saturday, with Michael Carter, La'Mical Perine and Ty Johnson all hungry to earn playing time.

The backs should find room against a Packers defense that gave up 170 yards on the ground last week. A strong run game would open up the pass, and receivers Denzel Mims and Vyncint Smith combined for 90 yards on six receptions last week. The New York defense was relentless in the opener, with Jonathan Marshall and Bryce Huff each posting two sacks. Against young quarterbacks, it could force turnovers from a Green Bay offense that had three against Houston.   

Why the Packers can cover

Jordan Love threw for 122 yards and a touchdown in a 26-7 loss to Houston last week, but a shoulder injury could keep him out. An MRI showed no structural damage, but the Packers could be cautious. After a dramatic offseason, Aaron Rodgers is also not expected to play, so quarterback duties could fall to Kurt Benkert and recently signed free agent Jake Dolegala. Benkert, who went undrafted out of the University of Virginia, threw for 88 yards with an interception last week.

Green Bay's young players will be eager to impress the fans in Lambeau Field, and the stadium's aura always provides a boost. Packers coach Matt LaFleur will have special motivation on Saturday with his brother, Mike LaFleur, calling the shots for the Jets' offense. The Packers' problem last week was their run defense, but Green Bay has surely focused on that over the week, and now the team faces a Jets running game that averaged just 2.4 yards per carry last week.

How to make Packers vs. Jets picks

White is leaning under on the point total, and he's also discovered a critical X-factor that has him jumping all over one side of the spread. He's only sharing that pick and the rest of his NFL expert picks at SportsLine. 

So who wins Jets vs. Packers? And what critical X-factor makes one side of the spread a must-back? Visit SportsLine now to see R.J. White's Packers vs. Jets pick and analysis, all from the NFL expert who's 42-14 on picks involving Green Bay, and find out.