Here we are, Packer fans: the final game of the 2024 regular season. (Boy, it went fast, didn't it?!) And this game comes against the Pack's longest-standing rival, Da Bearz! What could be better? OK, OK, perhaps a Chicago team that's actually competitive once again. But let's be careful what we ask for, right?
On Sunday, there is a chance to continue to dominate a currently woeful Chicago franchise. That's always a good thing. Packers head coach Matt LaFleur is 11-0 heading into this match up with the team from south of the (Wisconsin) border. When the game is finished, that personal coaching record will go to 12-0 and take the Pack to 12-5 on the season overall. More on that in a bit.
But first, a quick return to last weekend's loss vs. the Minnesota ViQueens. Turns out, we were spot on with our score prediction, 27-25. How 'bout that? But ... we just had the teams reversed. Dang it!
Yes, the Pack came up short — again — against Minnesota, just as was the case twice versus Detroit this season. And once against the Eagles. Darn it. One of the keys to victory that we noted in our Minnesota preview was getting to QB Sam Darnold so he wouldn't pick apart the Packers defense. Weeeelllll ... that didn't quite happen the way we hoped. And the Packers offense misfired just enough to let the Vikes take the game. That early fumble on the first drive by Josh Jacobs ... how many times do things such as this seem to be an early indicator of how the rest of the game will go? QB Jordan Love was not as sharp as he needed to be, either. Just too much. And a 2-point loss. (Sigh...)
OK, let's get on to this game against Chicago, shall we?
The Preview
The Packers, sitting at 11-5 currently and in third place in the NFC North, have already locked up a wildcard playoff spot. The only things undetermined are whether it will be the sixth or seventh spot and the resulting first round opponent. For Da Bearz, at 4-12 and on a 10-game losing streak after a 4-2 start, they have already locked up last place in the NFC North and a fast trip to the offseason following the conclusion of the game.
While Chicago has some weapons on offense, particularly at wide receiver, their offensive line has been a sieve, leading to rookie QB Caleb Williams not having exactly the kind of season management had hoped for when he was drafted with the number one overall pick. He's been under pressure and sacked a ton. Combine that with coaching firings during the season and one might speculate that Williams will find himself in the same spot a few years down the road as a few other recent high Chicago QB picks that have fallen by the wayside. Much will depend upon who the McCaskey family decides to hand the head coaching job to in the coming season. Fans at Soldier Field during the game vs. Seattle were chanting "Sell the team" ... so ... things there are not good on just about any front.
That's enough space talking about Da Bearz.
As for the Pack, it should be a matter of getting out to a fast start and putting up points early and often. This has been the key to the Packers success this season, and the key to its five losses when they haven't been able to do so. Pro Bowl RB Josh Jacobs will be important in that effort. Given the amount of work he has taken on this season, it will be most helpful if he can hit the bench early and get some rest going into the playoffs. Coach LaFleur has said he's not going to rest any of the starters going into the game. But he obviously would be in favor of giving as much rest to these players as possible and that means having a comfortable lead at some point in the second half.
The Packers will have all their regular offensive weapons on display. WR Christian Watson should be available, too, and TE Luke Musgrave might also see a bit more action than last week where they eased him back into things. There were hints from the coaching staff that they felt Musgrave could finally be one of those receiving threats they had anticipated when drafting him — in addition to all the others — that could really open up the offense even more during the playoffs.
Defensively, the Packers received the news this week that CB Jaire Alexander underwent surgery for the PCL injury that has been bothering him a good portion of the season. With hindsight, instead of trying to get back on the field, someone in the Packers organization should have pulled the plug on him early, put him on IR, made an additional roster spot available, and now would likely have him back for the playoff run. Instead, the earliest he might be available would reportedly be the Super Bowl. Which raises the question, as we have noted before, as to whether Alexander will even be back with the Packers at all next season despite his contract given his limited availability for the past two years in particular. But that decision is down the road.
Besides Alexander, the other inactives for the Pack include linebackers Quay Walker and Zane Anderson, S Evan Williams and OT Andre Dillard.
One big highlight in recent weeks for the Packers has been the emergence of LB Edgerrin Cooper. Expect more good things ahead from "Super Cooper". He should have a big day versus Da Bearz.
Now, Seattle had a field day last weekend vs. Chicago, getting to Williams with their blitz schemes. Still, they only won in a snorer, 6-3. The Packers do not and will not blitz anywhere near as much as the Seahawks so they will need to get pressure on Williams with their front four and occasional blitz packages. They can and must do so.
The Prediction
At the time of this writing, the Packers are favored by 10 points. Surprised it isn't more than that. This is a game the Packers should — and will — win. Even with the noon CT kickoff weather conditions in Green Bay those of a typical early January affair, i.e., about 17 degrees at game time and with blustery winds of up to perhaps 23 mph, there is no snow in the forecast at the time of this writing. So the game should favor the running attack and short to medium range passes. Both of which, along with the defensive play, favors the Packers. But, as noted earlier, the Pack need to get up early on Da Bearz. Don't let them hang around. Put them away and don't let up.
We're calling this one Packers 34 - Da Bearz 10.
Go Pack Go!!!
