Packers look to stay in sync in their final game of the regular season
The Packers have one final “tune-up” before the playoffs as they visit Ford Field for a Noon (Central Time) kickoff vs the Detroit Lions in Week 18.
The Packers clinched the #1 seed in the NFC for the second year in a row after their 37-10 home victory vs the Minnesota Vikings last Sunday night. The Lions are 2-13-1 after losing 51-29 last Sunday on the road vs the Seattle Seahawks.
This would normally be an opportunity to talk about matchups on offense and defense, but this scenario is different. The Packers already clinched the top seed and the Lions have clinched a losing record long ago. I wouldn’t call it a meaningless game because every game has some kind of meaning, even this one. If anything, this game has more significance to Detroit because they are still in the running for the #1 overall pick in the draft, or they can fall in the draft as well.
Coach Matt LaFleur said he has every intention of winning this game at Detroit. Aaron Rodgers said he would like to play in the game too. I believe most (if not all) of the starters will be in the game. How long they will be in there is hard to say at this point. I’m sure they will be in there for at least a few series. The starters hardly played at all in the preseason and they came out flat and miserable in the season opener vs New Orleans down in Jacksonville. I don’t think they will make that mistake again.
Will David Bakhtiari and Jaire Alexander get some playing time on Sunday? If they are healthy enough, I think they should. No amount of practice can match the speed of a regular game. I would rather they play on Sunday and get their first meaningful action at Detroit rather than have it in their first playoff game. We need all players to be as ready as possible.
Whenever the Packers take the field, I want to see them win, even if it’s just preseason, and this game at Detroit might not be much more than a glorified preseason game, even though it counts in the standings. However, there are things more important than a victory on Sunday. Most importantly, we cannot afford any injuries. If a starter is limping or getting up slowly, he needs to be pulled immediately. Also, we need everyone to be in sync. That is why I think they will play their starters, even if it’s just for half the game. Giving them two full weeks off and expecting them to tun it on in their first playoff game is a lot to ask. On the other hand, giving Rodgers as much time as possible to rest his broken toe as well as rest other players and their injuries is a big deal. They needed this bye week and they earned it with their play on the field.
Whoever is in the game, let’s dominate on the field. Wherever you are, let’s cheer our team to victory. Let’s enjoy this ride as we get ready for a playoff run, a run where I think will take us to the final game of the season and a victorious one. No matter who is on the field, all gas, no brake!
Go Pack Go!
@DieHardPackrFan #DHPF #GregGoshaw @gg901
