The Green Bay Packers are officially in the playoffs, but with their chances to win the NFC North or secure the fifth seed now out of reach, there’s little left to play for in their Week 18 matchup. While they will be fighting for either the sixth or seventh seed in the NFC, the stakes aren’t as high as they once were. The Chicago Bears, on the other hand, have already been mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, meaning their role in this final game of the season is more about pride and preparation for the future.

Given these circumstances, the NFL had limited options for primetime matchups in Week 18. With both teams already in their respective positions, the Packers-Bears rivalry game will take place on Sunday, January 5, at noon (CT). This time slot was chosen because, while the Packers’ matchup with the Bears is historic and storied, the outcome doesn’t impact the playoffs as significantly as other games. In fact, this divisional rivalry has less significance for playoff seeding, as the Packers can only shift between the sixth and seventh seed.

There was some opportunity for the league to move the game, especially since the first Packers-Bears game of the season aired on Fox in Week 11. However, according to league rules, both games of a divisional rivalry cannot be shifted out of the original broadcast partner’s schedule, with Fox covering NFC games. This restriction prevented the NFL from shifting the Week 17 Packers-Vikings game to a primetime slot, as that game had already been moved to CBS.

The Minnesota Vikings-Detroit Lions game will be played on Sunday night, which would’ve potentially conflicted with a primetime Packers-Bears game. But, given the minimal playoff implications, it made more sense for the Packers’ season finale to be scheduled in the early Sunday window, allowing the NFL to focus on more crucial matchups during the evening.

As for the Packers, it remains uncertain whether Coach Matt LaFleur will opt to rest key players ahead of the postseason. While the team has already secured a playoff spot, there are no bye weeks in the current format, which may encourage LaFleur to rest some starters. This final game of the regular season could serve as an opportunity for players to recover and prepare for the upcoming playoff challenges.

However, based on LaFleur’s comments after their loss to the Minnesota Vikings, it seems likely that the Packers will still field most of their starting lineup. LaFleur stressed the importance of learning from their recent struggles and building momentum as they move forward. “We’ve got to learn from this and try to move on and get some momentum here,” LaFleur said. “We get the Bears coming in, and try to finish this thing out the right way.” This statement indicates that, despite having little to gain in terms of playoff positioning, the Packers are still focused on finishing the regular season strong, and building positive energy for the postseason.

For the Chicago Bears, this game holds significant meaning, even though they are out of playoff contention. The game serves as a crucial opportunity for interim head coach Thomas Brown and his staff to prove their worth and fight for their jobs. Whether they remain in Chicago or seek other opportunities elsewhere, the Bears’ coaching staff has a lot to prove in this final contest. The game also presents the Bears’ roster with a chance to disrupt the Packers’ momentum and end Green Bay’s 11-game winning streak in this fierce rivalry. For many players, this could be a chance to leave a lasting impression, especially for rookie Caleb Williams, as he seeks to end his first season on a positive note. The game might not hold playoff implications, but for the Bears, there is still plenty to play for in terms of pride, future employment, and closing the season on a high.

In conclusion, while the Packers are already playoff-bound and the Bears have been eliminated, this Week 18 matchup still holds value for both teams. For Green Bay, it’s an opportunity to solidify their playoff positioning and finish the regular season strong. For Chicago, it’s about closing out a disappointing season with pride and giving the coaching staff one last shot at securing their futures. This traditional NFC North rivalry will still bring plenty of excitement, even if the playoff stakes are no longer the focus.