With a week left, the Green Bay Packers claimed the No. 1 seed in the NFC. The Packers defeated the Minnesota Vikings in an exciting but freezing game Sunday night at Lambeau Field, 37-10. This marks the third year in a row that the Packers will have a first-round bye in the playoffs.
Heading Into Week 18
It was already expressed by QB Aaron Rodgers and WR Davante Adams that they want to, and will play in week 18; Coach Matt LaFleur made it clear that the starters will be on the field in Detroit next Sunday.
“Right now the mindset is going into this we’re going to play our guys and we’re going to approach it like every other game,” LaFleur said. “And I just think the reason behind that is I’m not comfortable having essentially a three-week layoff for our guys.”
Many may remember the 2011 season; The Packers went 15-1 during the regular season and decided to give Rodgers and other players the week off. Once the postseason arrived, the Packers played quite possibly their worst game of the year. Green Bay had lost three fumbles, Rodgers threw his seventh interception of the year while Giants’ QB Eli Manning threw for 330 yards and three touchdowns.
Rodgers told reporters in a conference following Sunday night’s win that he expects to play in Week 18 and that his toe didn’t quite bother him, which is a sign of improvement.
“This is the first game that my toe got through the game without any issues, no pregame painkiller shot, so I’m feeling good,” Rodgers said. “There was definitely a time a few weeks ago when we started to project and think if we could get the one seed, it could be two-plus weeks of rest, but I’m going to play next week…”
Even Davante Adams agreed to what the QB had said in regard to playing in Detroit.
“Having two weeks off is, to each his own but, I wouldn’t want to do that,” Adams said on Sunday. “So I want to play next week at least some.”
What to Expect
As of right now, fans can expect to see the starters on the field in Detroit. While it certainly will be a situation they have to play by ear, and making sure everyone is on the same page. Having the starters play at least a little bit before they go into the bye will be beneficial.
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