Green Bay @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 14, 2014 ) N.Y. Jets 24, Green Bay 31

The idea that Aaron Rodgers might sit out the final two games of the regular season to avoid the risk of an injury was floated and quickly brushed aside by the Pro Bowl quarterback. Rodgers expects to be under center when the Green Bay Packers visit the New York Jets on Sunday.

Rodgers suffered a groin injury in last week' loss to the Chicago Bears but was at practice on Wednesday and Thursday and took all the first-team reps. "I think it's a lot about leadership," Rodgers told reporters. "If I want to be listened to and followed and looked up to, how could I stand here and say that these games that don't matter for playoffs, I'm going to cash it in? That's just not the way I lead, and I'm super-competitive, and I want to be out there with the guys and I look forward to being out there." The Jets dropped seven of their last eight games and will spend the final two weeks getting rookie quarterback Sam Darnold more comfortable in the NFL. Darnold was solid in a 29-22 loss to the Houston Texans last week, passing for 253 yards and a pair of touchdowns without an interception.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Packers -3. O/U: 47

ABOUT THE PACKERS (5-8-1): While Rodgers is likely to play on Sunday, his cache of weapons will be thinner than usual after running back Aaron Jones was placed on injured reserve Tuesday with a knee injury. Jamaal Williams is the only healthy running back left on the roster and he rumbled for 55 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries after Jones went down last week. "I feel like he did a great job and I told him, 'Hey, we're going to need you,'" Jones told reporters of Williams. "Right after that, he scored a touchdown. I think Jamaal did a great job protecting, catching the ball and running the ball. It just shows what kind of back he is and what he can do, and I'm happy for him."

ABOUT THE JETS (4-10): Darnold is excited to get the opportunity to start against Rodgers, one of his football idols. "During the offseason I look at Aaron all the time, first of all just to watch some of the cool throws that he is able to make," Darnold told reporters. "He really is the most talented person I've ever seen the way he is able to get rid of the ball and throw the football. Just from that aspect it's fun as a quarterback knowing how hard the position is and knowing how hard it is to play, it's really cool to be able to watch someone really make it look so easy." Darnold will be without one of his top targets on Sunday with wide receiver Quincy Enunwa ruled out due to an ankle injury.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Jets placed RT Brandon Shell (knee) on season-ending IR.

2. Packers WR Randall Cobb and RT Jason Spriggs (concussions) did not participate in practice this week.

3. Green Bay TE Jimmy Graham (thumb/knee) returned to practice on Thursday and is questionable.

PREDICTION: Packers 24, Jets 17