Where: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wis. (grass, outdoors)
When: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS)
Spread: Packers by 14.5
Forecast: Temperatures expected in the low-40s, partly cloudy skies, winds around 15 mph
Records: Packers (Overall: 4-3, NFC North: 1-0); Jaguars (Overall: 1-5, AFC South: 1-1)
Past results: Two most recent meetings -- Dec. 14, 2008: Jaguars 20, Packers 16; Dec. 19, 2004: Jaguars 28, Packers 25. Series record: Tied 2-2.
What matters: Taking care of business and staying healthy. The Packers are coming off a three-week road swing, they’re on their first winning streak (two games!) of the season, and they’re returning home to face one of the worst teams in the league without its best player -- RB Maurice Jones-Drew (foot). The Packers probably wouldn’t need all their players healthy to beat the lowly Jaguars, and that’s a good thing because they won’t have anywhere near all their players healthy. Just this week, it was learned that an important leader on each side of the ball would be out a significant amount of time -- WR Greg Jennings, who’s having surgery to repair an abdominal tear, and CB Charles Woodson, who broke his collarbone in last week’s win. Joining them on the sidelines this Sunday could be as many as three key players on defense and two on offense. There were 13 players on the injury list on Friday; the depleted Packers are limping through their last two weeks before the Week 10 bye. But even for an injury-ravaged team like the Packers, this shouldn’t be a trap game. Just get the W and move forward unscathed.
Who matters: WRs James Jones, Randall Cobb and Donald Driver. With Jennings out and WR Jordy Nelson (hamstring) questionable, the Packers may find themselves without their top two wideouts. Hamstring injuries, even minor ones, are a receiver’s worst enemy and the smart play would be to rest Nelson so he can fully heal and recover from whatever he’s got. If that’s the case, it’s next man up. Jones (nine catches for 86 yards and two touchdowns the past two games) and Cobb (15 for 191 and two scores) have stepped up big-time with Jennings down. With Nelson possibly out, too -- he’s going to test his hamstring on Sunday -- the others may have to shoulder even more of the load. It’s not clear how much little-used, 37-year-old Driver has left in the tank, but his role could be upped from sideline cheerleader to on-field playmaker this week. Might we see undrafted free agent WR Jarrett Boykin catch his first NFL pass?
Key matchups: The Jaguars are close to awful in just about every area. Their passing offense is the worst in the league and they’re 25th in rushing offense. Their pass defense is 24th and rush defense is 29th. The Packers should control every matchup, regardless of injury or personnel. Green Bay’s most important matchup, and the one it desperately needs to win, is against its own health. In just the past two weeks, the Packers have played two players on injured reserve, lost two of their biggest playmakers for extended periods of time, and lost a slew of other starters and significant role players to injuries both in games and during practice. It’s uncontrollable, but they need to win the matchup with their own bodies.
Injuries of note: OK, deep breath … Jennings (abdomen), Woodson (collarbone), OLB Nick Perry (knee), CB Sam Shields (shin) and FB John Kuhn (hamstring) are all out. Nelson (hamstring) is questionable, and B.J. Raji (ankle) is probable. Coach Mike McCarthy said neither OLB Frank Zombo nor TE Andrew Quarless, both of who were on the physically unable to perform list for the first six weeks, will be active on Sunday.
Inside stuff: TE Jermichael Finley certainly has not had smooth sailing, at least publicly, with QB Aaron Rodgers. Finley’s agent criticized Rodgers’ leadership on Twitter, the tight end himself has complained about lack of chemistry with the reigning MVP and the whole situation has just felt uncomfortable. On Wednesday, Finley said, “If you’re winning and you’re not getting the ball, you can’t say too much about that. He’s playing like he’s on XBox right now, so he can throw it to anybody he wants. You’ve got to sit back and wait until it shifts your way.” Then, later, in an apparent attempt to smooth things over in the media with his quarterback, Finley said, “I’m a fan of (Rodgers); I love him.” Packers fans would like to hear less of Finley talking and see more of him catching first-down and touchdown passes.
Connections: Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers held the same position in Jacksonville from 1999-2000. Packers offensive coordinator Tom Clement worked under Mularkey in Buffalo from 2004-2005 when Clement was the OC for the Bills and Mularkey was the coach.
Stat you should know: Rodgers has a 133 passer rating the past two weeks, throwing for 680 yards, nine touchdowns and zero interceptions. Jacksonville allows an average of 264.5 yards (24th) and 27.3 points (26th) per game. They’ll be lucky if they can hold Rodgers and the Packers’ potent passing offense to those numbers.
Looking ahead: After Sunday, the Packers have another very winnable game at home against the Cardinals, who are starting backup QB John Skelton. Then they have their Week 10 bye, which can’t come soon enough and will be a welcome opportunity to rest, recover, recuperate and rehabilitate for the decimated Packers.
Prediction: Packers 34, Jaguars 16
Follow Packers reporter James Carlton on Twitter: @CBSPackers and @jimmycarlton88.
