Packers in a ‘must-lose’ situation

This is all you need to know about the state of the Green Bay Packers:

They will play the New York Jets today, an abysmal team that has lost three of its last four games, seven of its last eight and possesses one of the worst records in the NFL.

Yet, the Packers are measly three-point favorites.

Yes, this game won’t be one for the ages. But that doesn’t mean there won’t be anything at stake. Actually, there’s a lot at stake.

A victory,for either team, will likely have devastating implications on their draft position. The Jets are just one game behind Oakland and Arizona for the worst record and a chance to land the No. 1 pick.

Packers,meanwhile, are 5-8-1 and right on the heels of the Jets, San Francisco and Jacksonville with a legitimate chance to land a top six pick.

Here is how the race for the worst records –and a golden opportunity to draft a potential game-changer — shaping up:

  • Oakland 3-11
  • Arizona 3-11
  • New York Jets 4-10
  • Jacksonville 4-10
  • San Francisco 4-10
  • Detroit 5-9
  • Buffalo 5-9
  • New York Giants 5-9
  • Atlanta 5-9
  • Tampa Bay 5-9
  • Green Bay 5-8-1

If the Packers brass would have been smart and looked at the big picture, it would have had Aaron Rodgers be a spectator than player today. But that’s not the case, and that could come back to bite them in a big way.

Prediction: Packers 20, Jets 17.