Of Course the Packers Are Playing Their Starters vs. Bears in Week 18 ...Middle East

When the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers renew their rivalry on Sunday, both teams will be doing so while sending out their starters.

Earlier in the week, Bears Interim Head Coach Thomas Brown told reporters that rookie quarterback Caleb Williams and the rest of the team’s healthy regulars would take the field in the regular-season finale. As for That Team in Wisconsin, here is the explanation from Packers Head Coach Matt LaFleur (via Pro Football Talk) on why playoff-bound Green Bay is sending its top players to give it a go at Lambeau Field:

“The right answer is whatever works, and I think you’ve got to have a philosophy on what works best for you. We were in a similar situation a few years back where we played the guys a half, and lost in the second half, and then we had the bye and we lost in the playoffs. The right answer is whatever works, is really what I’ll tell you. I know you’re subject to criticism, and if it goes great that was the right way to do it, and if it doesn’t go the way you want it to, you learn from every experience.”

It pains me to admit this, but I get the logic. I appreciate it. Heck, I even agree with it. What the heck is going on here?

And it’s not as if the Packers have nothing to play for in Week 18. Green Bay is playing for seeding. A win could help LaFleur and the Packers avoid a trip to Philadelphia and a Week 1 rematch against the Eagles. Playing Philly in Brazil was a challenge in its own right. But I do not envy a team that goes into Philadelphia and opens the playoffs on the road. If Green Bay can win (and get some help), it could move up to the No. 6 seed and set up a potential matchup against the Los Angeles Rams.

Surely, the Packers would rather face a Rams team on the road in a game that might play like a neutral site with how many Green Bay backers flock to road playoff games.

Meanwhile, the Bears aren’t playing for much other than pride, development, individual goals, and contract incentives that could be reached in Week 18. With that being said, we can’t completely discount that a Bears loss and some wins from teams above them in the reverse standings could net the team a top-5 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. I hate how much time we have spent looking at the Tankathon standings in recent years.

Packers vs. Bears — Both teams to play starters in Week 18

There are two things I am vibing with when it comes to that quote from Packers Head Coach Matt LaFleur. Firstly, I appreciate LaFleur standing firm in his decision despite knowing that he’ll take heat for his decision no matter the outcome. Making a decision with conviction seems like a lost art at times. Secondly, I have an appreciation for LaFleur seeing it as a possible learning experience depending on how it goes. Sigh. I hate how much respect I have for MLF as a head coach.

Too many coaches make decisions and fail to learn from them. At least, too many Bears coaches make decisions and fail to learn from them — which helps explain why they will have their fifth head coach (sixth if you want to count Thomas Brown) since firing Lovie Smith after the end of the 2012 season. There are so many qualifications I want the next Bears coach to have. I hope that the ability to learn from one’s mistakes is on the list of whoever is hiring the new head coach at Halas Hall.

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