The Green Bay Packers will close out the 2024 NFL regular season Sunday afternoon against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field. The team has an 11-5 record and has already clinched a playoff spot. In fact, we know the Packers will either be the sixth or seventh seed in the NFC. The only way they can move up to the sixth seed is if the Packers win on Sunday and the Washington Commanders are upset by the Dallas Cowboys. So, head coach Matt LaFleur has some tough decisions to make in the team’s season finale on Sunday.
Packers Coach Matt LaFleur Has Tough Decisions to Make, Number One: What to Do with His Starters
The first big picture decision LaFleur has to make concerns whether or not to rest his starters. The most important thing will be to have as many key players as possible healthy for the first playoff game. LaFleur can sit many starters altogether, he can start them but take them out of the game early especially if the game is one-sided, or he can just let them play the entire game to keep them sharp for the following week.
LaFleur has already hinted that he will at least have most of his starters in the lineup for this game. “We’ve got to learn from this and try to move on and get some momentum here,” he told reporters. “We get the Bears coming in, and we’ve got to try to finish this thing out the right way.”
If the Packers take a big lead over the Bears or fall far behind, don’t be surprised if LaFleur sits Jordan Love in the latter stages of the game and a few other starters as well. Avoiding new injuries and not aggravating older ones is paramount so the Packers are as healthy as possible for the playoffs.
Sitting running back Josh Jacobs for at least part of this game makes sense also, so his body is as rested and ready as possible for the postseason.
Number Two: How to Handle Injured Players on Defense
The next question is how to handle players who are already in on injured but may be able to play in the postseason.
Jaire Alexander suffered an injured knee on the final defensive play of the Packers Week 8 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Since then, he’s taken a total of 10 snaps in games. Alexander has practiced, but the knee has swelled, and he has yet to return to game action.
The absence of Alexander has hurt the Packers, especially against opponents with more talented wide receivers. Getting him back in the playoffs against teams with elite receivers like the Eagles, Vikings, Rams, or Lions, would be a big help for Jeff Hafley and the defense.
But is LaFleur better off letting Alexander play limited snaps against the Bears to get rid of some of the rust, or will that risk further injury to the fragile Louisville alum?
Safety Evan Williams suffered a quad injury in practice late last week and missed the game in Minnesota. He has missed a lot less time than Alexander. LaFleur would be wise to sit Williams for the Bears game to make sure he’s ready for the playoffs. Williams has made an impact on defense in his rookie campaign.
Defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt left the Vikings game with a possible concussion. Even if he clears concussion protocol in time to play against Chicago, having him sit out that game so he can be healthier for the playoffs makes the most sense.
Packers Coach Matt LaFleur Has Tough Decisions to Make, Number Three: How to Handle Injured Players on Offense
Wide receiver Christian Watson also missed the Vikings game after suffering a knee injury against the Saints. The Packers clearly missed him in Minnesota. Watson opens up opportunities for his teammates because opposing defenses need to respect his size and speed. The Packers are better off resting Watson against Chicago and concentrating on getting players like Jayden Reed more involved in the passing game.
We will know more about other potential injuries to offensive players once the first injury report is released on Wednesday. Overall, the Packers are better off being more conservative with injured players. The most important thing is getting ready for the playoffs.
LaFleur has some interesting decisions to make. But the priority has to be getting ready for the playoffs rather than beating the Bears.
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