As we approach week 16, there is no life left in the Packers season and we find ourselves searching for meaning in this meaningless final string of games.  This week 16 matchup has still managed to leave me with a bunch of angry feelings with how the Packers are approaching the final two games of the season and you all are going to hear about it as my grinch-like qualities are going to come out all over the page during this latest installment of key matchups.  

Here are the Key Matchups for week 16 versus the Jets that could have a lasting impact for the Packers moving forward:

1. Aaron Rodgers vs. His Own Stubbornness 

I really have to think long and hard about whether Aaron Rodgers has ever infuriated me during his time in Green Bay.  Even during this year while he has missed throws and not played up to his impossible standards, I have still been proud of the example that he set by playing through his knee injury and giving this team a glimmer of hope.  

It is not a secret that I am a huge fan of Aaron Rodgers work over the course of his career and am also a huge defender of his play although it is seemingly an unpopular position to take with the fan base this year.  However, Aaron deciding to play out this meaningless string of games over the final two weeks of this season has absolutely infuriated me.  

I understand that Aaron is trying to set an example to the young players on this roster but a part of me has to wonder whether this is just a bunch of pointless bravado due to the fact that he is getting paid over $80 million during this calendar year (in base salary and signing bonuses,from August to March).  This decision to play seems to be a decision that Aaron has made and there is nothing that anyone can do or say to make him change his mind.  Oh, wait, I stand corrected; there is a front office and coaching staff that can earn their paychecks by showing some leadership and acting like the adults in the room by putting their foot down and protecting Aaron Rodgers from himself.  

The decision to play is a short sited one because the Packers playoff hopes are gone, and the right side of the offensive line has been obliterated with injuries. There is literally nothing good that can come out of Aaron Rodgers playing in these final two games with a compromised offensive unit; unless Aaron throwing for 25 touchdown passes and the Packers going 7-8-1 gets you excited.  

Furthermore, if Rodgers plays, we will not be able to see what, if anything, that DeShone Kizer has to offer the organization and we will all have to hold our collective breath and hope that Aaron does not get himself injured.  All I can say is that Aaron better have a huge incentive bonus for playing in all sixteen games this season because this is a catastrophically stupid decision to start him by all members involved.  

2. Tyler Lancaster vs. The Jets interior offensive lineman

One player that has stood out to me this season has been Tyler Lancaster.  I have been impressed with where he has come from training camp until now, and am excited to see him play the majority of the snaps in the final two games to see if he can continue to make an impact for the Packers up front.  I am interested to see how Lancaster will handle receiving the majority of the reps and being game planned for.  

I will be looking for Lancaster to continue his development by making an impact inside the A gap in both running and passing situations.  If he is able to continue to make plays, the Packers will certainly have their eyes on him to make the 2nd year jump next year and start up front alongside Kenny Clark and Dean Lowry.    It is not a secret that the Packers have some decisions to make this offseason with members of their front seven.  Tyler Lancaster’s play during the next two games could put the Packers in a position to hold leverage over Mike Daniels when discussing the final year of his contract for next year, (1 year @ $10.9 million) at the end of the season.  

3. MVS and ESB vs. The Jets Secondary 

If anything good can come from Aaron Rodgers playing in the final two games of the season, it will be that he gets additional reps throwing to MVS and ESB.  Aaron should look to force feed his young wide receivers so that they can develop some much-needed continuity and chemistry within the offense.  Rodgers should be demanding of them and really force them to master the ”details” of their routes in the seasons final weeks so that they are ready to make an impact in 2019.  

I will be looking for these two talented rookies to start to turn the corner and tighten up their route running and figure out how to find the cushions in the opponent's coverages.  Cleaning up this aspect of their games will allow them to work well with Rodgers in the scramble drill and allow them to develop as playmakers, get open more consistently, and become reliable targets for the Packers in 2019 and beyond.

Note: If there is truth to the stories circulating about the Packers wide receiver coach (David Raih) being as inept as the reports would indicate, then he should be fired immediately and should have been fired along with McCarthy.  The Packers can ill afford to have a wide receiver coach who is not an expert on the offense when you have four rookie wide receivers on your fifty-three man roster.  This is absolutely inexcusable and the Packers "power structure" must address this and rectify this situation immediately. (per Bob McGinn)

McGinn front the top ropes:https://t.co/d6tpnqCdd3 pic.twitter.com/g30v1QgGZS

— Jack Wepfer (@jackwepfer) December 21, 2018

Predictions:

• The Packers add to their total of third-down sacks surrendered.
• Mike Pettine makes Sam Darnold one dimensional, forcing multiple turnovers.
• Aaron Rodgers throws two touchdown passes.
• Sam Darnold throws two picks.
• The Packers win their first and only game on the road by a score of 34-17.