The Green Bay Packers find themselves facing a tough decision as they approach Week 18 against the Chicago Bears. With their playoff fate still hanging in the balance, the question of whether to play their starters or rest them remains a key point of debate. The stakes are high, and there are compelling arguments on both sides. After a disappointing loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 17, head coach Matt LaFleur’s comments suggest that the Packers are leaning towards playing their starters.

“We’ve got to learn from this and try to move on and get some momentum here,” LaFleur said after the defeat. “We get the Bears coming in, and we’ve got to try to finish this thing out the right way.” His words indicate that the Packers are focused on ending the regular season with a positive outcome and perhaps carrying some momentum into the playoffs. However, while finishing strong is important, there’s also the matter of ensuring the team’s health as they prepare for the postseason.

Seeding Scenarios and the Case for Playing Starters

The Packers have an opportunity to secure the sixth seed in the NFC, which would set them up to face either the Los Angeles Rams or the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the wild card round. But the path to that sixth seed is not entirely within their control. The Washington Commanders’ victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday night has complicated matters, meaning that the Packers now need a bit of help to reach the preferred playoff position. This brings additional weight to the argument for playing their starters in Week 18.

There’s clear value in trying to improve their playoff seeding. Playing the starters could give the Packers a better chance at securing the sixth seed, avoid a disaster in their NFC North record (which currently stands at 1-4), and extend their winning streak against the Bears. On top of that, ending the regular season on a positive note would offer some psychological benefit heading into the postseason. LaFleur has always emphasized finishing the regular season strong, and given the current situation, playing to win seems like the sensible choice.

The Health Factor

However, there’s another side to the argument that cannot be ignored: the health of key players. The Packers’ performance in the regular season has been inconsistent at times, especially when dealing with injuries to some of their star players. The team has been banged up all year, with significant time missed by key contributors like Jaire Alexander, Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, and others. Jordan Love, too, has dealt with his own injury issues, missing two and a half games and playing through limitations in several others.

As the team gears up for the postseason, health becomes paramount. The Packers’ best chance to compete with top NFC teams is to be as close to full strength as possible. The loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 1, despite leading for most of the game, highlighted the importance of having all hands on deck. Key players like Jaire Alexander were absent in critical divisional games against teams like the Lions and Vikings, and that impact has been felt.

With the playoffs looming, it’s crucial that the Packers don’t take unnecessary risks. Facing a divisional opponent in Week 18 might seem like an opportunity to get back on track, but it’s equally important to avoid injuries that could derail their playoff hopes. It would be wise to consider resting some starters, particularly those who are nursing lingering injuries, to ensure they’re ready for the intensity of the postseason.

The Backup Plan: More Playing Time for Key Reserves

Another consideration is the opportunity to give backups more playing time. With the Packers set to face off against the Chicago Bears, a team with no playoff hopes, it could be the perfect chance to evaluate and give significant reps to players who might play key roles in the postseason. Backup quarterback Malik Willis, for example, has shown that he can step up and put the Packers in a good position to win games. Giving him more experience under center could pay dividends if anything were to happen to Jordan Love in the playoffs.

There’s also value in getting more game action for other backups and reserves who could be called upon if injuries occur down the road. The Packers have a deep roster, and the postseason is a time when depth often plays a critical role. Giving these players more opportunities now could help ensure they’re ready if their number is called in the postseason.

What Can’t Happen: Avoiding the Mistakes of 2021

It’s important to learn from past mistakes, particularly those from the 2021 season. In a similar situation, the Packers faced the Detroit Lions in Week 18 after already clinching the top seed in the NFC. They decided to play their starters for the first half but then pulled them at halftime, resulting in a 37-30 loss to the Lions. In that game, wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling suffered an injury, one that would keep him out of the divisional round against the San Francisco 49ers.

That injury proved to be a costly one, as Valdes-Scantling’s absence in the divisional round was felt on offense. The Packers could have avoided that risk by resting their starters entirely, but the decision to keep them in the game led to unnecessary injuries. This scenario is something the Packers must avoid repeating this time around. With no first-round bye in the playoffs this year, the team needs to prioritize health and minimize the risk of injury heading into the wild card round.

The Right Call: Prioritizing Health

Ultimately, while beating the Bears and finishing the regular season on a high note would be a positive outcome, the Packers should prioritize their health above all else. The last thing they want is to enter the playoffs with key players injured or banged up. The margin for error in the postseason is razor-thin, and a single injury could make the difference between advancing and going home early.

For LaFleur and the Packers, the decision in Week 18 is a balancing act. While there’s a valid case for playing the starters to secure playoff positioning and finish strong, the smarter play might be to rest them, especially considering the health concerns. This will give the team the best chance to make a deep playoff run. At the end of the day, securing health and readiness for the postseason should be the Packers’ top priority.