Week 8: Jaguars-Packers preview
Jacksonville at Green Bay
Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wis. - TV: CBS; DirecTV: 709
*TV announcers: Greg Gumbel, Dan Dierdorf
*Keys to the game: The Packers have missed RB Cedric Benson (foot) more than WR Greg Jennings (groin). Jennings, out for three straight games and four of six overall this season, might return and only add to the strain on the undermanned secondary of the Jaguars. The Packers haven't been able to gain traction with RB Alex Green, who ran well in the second half of last week's game at St. Louis but is a work in progress. QB Aaron Rodgers has 16 touchdown passes in his last four games, spreading the ball to his deep stable of receivers. The Jaguars, wretched on third down again last week to sink below 30 percent conversions this season, must wear a different skin to survive at Lambeau. They put up less than 250 total yards for the fourth time in six games, plus lost RB Maurice Jones-Drew (left foot) and QB Blaine Gabbert (shoulder) in the first half last week. Chad Henne did nothing to forward the downfield passing game in relief, averaging less than 4.0 yards per completion. With the exception of Cecil Shorts, a one-trick pony whose role is to get behind the secondary, Jacksonville presents no deep threat to the press coverage of the Packers. A slow-paced, run-heavy approach with Rashad Jennings leading the charge won't be enough this week.
*Matchup to watch - Jaguars LDE Jeremy Mincey vs. Packers RT Bryan Bulaga: Bulaga isn't a Pro Bowl caliber protector, but is solid enough to keep an offense reliant on explosive plays moving forward. Mincey, who had 45 quarterback pressures and eight sacks last season, hasn't been the same as an every-down player but did put a hit on Carson Palmer last week. Getting to Rodgers is mandatory to preserve the Jaguars' secondary and prevent a blowout.
*Player spotlight - Packers CB Casey Heyward: Technique-sound with the speed to match strides with deep threats, Heyward plucked his league-leading fourth interception last week. The rookie is feasting on quarterbacks shying away from CB Tramon Williams and will continue to be tested with SS Charles Woodson (collarbone) hurt.
*Fast facts: The Packers had an NFL-high 46 players on their Oct. 21 roster who have never played for another team. ... The Jaguars are 7-20 on the road since 2009.
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
The Packers are firing at a feverish clip and could get healthier on both sides of the ball just as the flagging Jaguars have their own ranks reduced.
*Our pick: Packers 31-13
