Friends, siblings go at it as Packers host surging Jets

GREEN BAY, WIS. >> Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur insists he doesn’t have any extra incentive as he gets ready to match up against a New York Jets staff featuring both his brother and his close friend.

LaFleur and Jets coach Robert Saleh worked together as graduate assistants at Central Michigan and later as assistants with the Houston Texans. Jets offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur is Matt’s younger brother.

“To tell you the truth, I really don’t think about it for two seconds,” LaFleur said. “I really don’t. It’s about trying to prepare our team. Everybody is just the next opponent.”

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, from Chico, doesn’t believe him.

“Look, he’s going against his brother and his best friend,” Rodgers said. “This game, for sure, means more to him.”

Green Bay (3-2) is seeking to bounce back after blowing a 14-point lead in a 2722 loss to the New York Giants in London. The Packers haven’t lost consecutive regular-season games within the same season since LaFleur’s arrival in 2019.

The Jets (3-2) are aiming for their first 4-2 start since 2015.

Matt LaFleur usually talks regularly with both his brother and Saleh.

“A lot of times, we’re not even talking about football,” Mike LaFleur said. RODGERS VS. THE AFC >> The Packers have won 18 of Rodgers’

last 19 home starts against AFC teams, including 11 in a row. The streak continued with a 27-24 overtime triumph over New England two weeks ago.

Rodgers missed Wednesday’s practice with an injured right thumb but was back at practice Thursday and expects to play Sunday.