For the first time since 2008, Aaron Rodgers will be playing a meaningless football game that has no effect on the playoffs. Packers can win the game, and all they do will put them lower in the NFL Draft. Packers lose the game, and they end up with a higher draft pick plus a winless record on the road. This is a pride game for the Packers. Green Bay knows they’ve been eliminated, but there are things to clean up throughout the team. Packers are hoping to end their road losing streak by taking care of the Jets.

Rodgers building relationships with young receivers – To me, this is the most important part of the last two games. Can Rodgers get on the same page with some of his young receivers? I still think Davante Adams should get the lion share of the targets, and trust me, he will eat in this matchup like other premier receivers have against the Jets. But the young guys should get some looks. Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Equanimeous St. Brown and J’Mon Moore should all get a few targets in the next two games. Randall Cobb didn’t practice the last two games battling a concussion, so, I’m curious if he ends up playing in this one.

Forcing Sam Darnold into mistakes – Green Bay’s defensive coordinator Mike Pettine did a great job in disguising coverages against Mitchell Trubisky last week. Sadly for Pettine, Green Bay let him escape the pocket and do things with his legs extending the plays. Pettine can do some of the same things with Darnold. He isn’t turning the ball over as much as he was to start the year, but Green Bay’s defense is opportunistic. This could be a ripe day for Jaire Alexander, Josh Jackson and others to have themselves a day. Don’t sleep on Green Bay’s defense in this matchup.

Bigger concern: Offensive line or running back? – Hard to know at this point for the Packers. Bryan Bulaga tore his MCL against Arizona, but he’s back practicing in a limited variety with Jason Spriggs not with a concussion. Jamaal Williams has a toe injury and with Aaron Jones on IR, Kapri Bibbs would get the start if Williams couldn’t go who they picked up last week. I worry more about the line with Rodgers’ safety. Hopefully, Bulaga or Spriggs will be ready to go by Sunday.

Prediction: I’m taking the Packers in this one. To me, I like the attitude of the team this week. We’ve criticized Green Bay’s businessman-like approach in the past, but this is where it comes into play. No one from the Packers sounded down in the dumps, and it sounds like they want to win this football game. Packers get it done in a solid victory. Packers 27 Jets 14

Charlie.