Green Bay Packers' Lukas Van Ness dominated the New York Jets with nine pressures and a clutch overtime sack.
There's no denying Micah Parsons is the heart and soul of this Green Bay Packers defense, but suddenly, Lukas Van Ness has taken over that role.
LVN put forward the best performance of his young NFL career in Week 2 against the New York Jets.
Time and time again, this Packers defense made huge stops, and it always seemed like No. 90 was at the forefront.
Van Ness finished the game tied for a team high with 10 tackles, seven of which were solo, which also matched the team's best.
In the end, the Packers prevailed in overtime, 20-17, in a game that simply wouldn't have looked the same without LVN on the field.
Next Gen Stats highlights Van Ness's success
According to Next Gen Stats, "Lukas Van Ness generated a career-high nine pressures against the Jets in Week 2, recording five in under 2.5 seconds, tied for the third-most by a Packers defender since 2020."
LVN had a 30% pressure rate and had a get-off time of 0.70 seconds. His second-down sack in overtime was the final nail in the coffin for Geno Smith and Co., as once they failed on third down, the Packers were able to storm down the field and make the game-winning field goal.
In just two games this season, Van Ness already has 14 tackles. Obviously, LVN had a bit of an injury scare a week ago, so his four tackles may be the lowest he has in a single game all year.
LVN is up to 2.5 sacks, which already eclipses what he did in nine games last season. Remember, Van Ness had 1.5 sacks in his 2025 campaign. His career high remains four during his 2023 rookie season.
The Iowa graduate had played 17 games in both 2023 and 2024, but things trended in the wrong direction last season. Regardless, he's only 25-years-old, and the Packers would love nothing more than to have him and Parsons wreak havoc on the NFL upon his impending return.
For now, the Packers are looking to keep LVN healthy, and for good reason. He cleared concussion protocol just a day before this Jets game, so who knows what the outcome would've been had the former No. 13 overall pick been on the sidelines.
As ugly as this win was, Van Ness provided the team with a bright spot and gives this defense a lot to be excited about moving forward.
