Ralph Vacchiano | Facebook | Twitter | Archive
THE GAME
The Jets (4-10) against the Green Bay Packers (5-8-1) at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Sunday, Dec. 22, at 1 p.m. ET.
THE WEATHER
It will be chilly but comfortable for the Jets' home finale, with mostly sunny skies and temperatures in the low 40s. The winds could whip a little which will make it feel colder.
WHAT IT MEANS
Tickets on the secondary market should be incredibly cheap, and there will be many, many, many seats available, so it's a good time to go see the Jets - and Aaron Rodgers, for those who haven't seen him in person. Other than that, the only meaning here is that this game likely will be the final home game for Todd Bowles as coach of the Jets. Surely the fans will wish him well.
PLAYER TO WATCH: WR Jermaine Kearse.
The Jets will be looking to upgrade at receiver this offseason, but that presents a big problem. Both the draft and the free-agent market are generally considered to be light on elite weapons. The Jets will find help, but not necessarily the top-tier help they need. And that presents an interesting opportunity for Kearse. He's not a top-tier weapon, but at 28 he's proven to be a valuable, veteran receiver and he's well-liked inside the Jets locker room. However, he's having a terrible season. And in the last three games he has three catches for 19 yards, even with a receiving corps that has been riddled by injuries. His opportunities should be there if he can get open. Considering he'll be an unrestricted free agent in March, he could use a strong finish. Even if he can't convince the Jets to bring him back, he needs to do something to prove he can still help somebody else.
THE PICK
First of all, if Rodgers (groin) doesn't play, throw this prediction out. But assuming he does, he is still no match for a defense that can't rush the passer and has really struggled, especially late in games, over the second half of the season. The Packers may not be an elite team this year, but Rodgers remains an elite quarterback and he still has enough weapons to beat a defense clearly on its heels. Meanwhile, Jets rookie quarterback Sam Darnold has really improved of late, but he's obviously not near Rodgers' level yet. There figure to be a lot of points scored in this game, and Darnold doesn't have the weapons or the ability (yet) to keep pace. … Packers 31, Jets 20.
MY RECORD: 7-7
MY RECORD WHEN PICKING JETS TO WIN: 1-4
MY RECORD WHEN PICKING JETS TO LOSE: 6-3