The regular season finale is here, and the oldest rivalry in the NFL is about to renew for another chapter, as the Green Bay Packers host the Chicago Bears with very little on the line.
Green Bay has already secured a playoff berth and has a shot at the No. 6 seed. Chicago fell off a metaphorical cliff, losing 10 straight, including the first matchup against the Packers after Karl Brooks blocked a field goal in the final seconds.
Before the Packers and Bears kick off at Lambeau Field, we look back at what the team can do to send the Bears into the offseason with a loss.
What can the Packers learn from their Week 17 loss to Vikings?
1. Avoid slow start
Green Bay made a slow start against Minnesota and had the same issue in the first game against Chicago, having trailed the Bears 10-7 at the half. The Packers got the win against Chicago, thanks to second-half rushing touchdowns from Josh Jacobs and Jordan Love and Brooks' blocked field goal.
The Packers attempted a comeback against the Vikings after spotting them a 20-3 advantage early in the third quarter. With the playoffs approaching and a Bears team with nothing to lose, the Packers can't afford to start slow in Week 18. Look for Matt LaFleur to fully embrace the "All gas, no brakes" mantra to get ahead of the Bears and silence the critics.
2. Dial up pressure
Despite making a combined 10 sacks in wins over the Seattle Seahawks and New Orleans Saints, the Packers only mustered one on Sam Darnold last week. This did not stop the Packers from forcing an interception in each of their previous three games, with Carrington Valentine nabbing a pick against both Minnesota and Seattle and Zayne Anderson picking off Spencer Rattler.
Caleb Williams has been sacked more than any other quarterback in the NFL this season, and it isn't close. Williams has taken 67 sacks, with C.J. Stroud the next closest at 52. If the Packers can get after Williams, not only is it possible that he throws an interception, but it will back the Bears up and force punts.
3. Get Luke Musgrave going
Luke Musgrave appeared in just his second game back after missing about three months of action due to injury. Musgrave was held to just a single catch for four yards against Minnesota, his lone target for the game. He did register a target against the Saints in Week 16 but has been very slowly eased into the offense.
This rings especially true if Christian Watson is unable to go against the Bears, as the Packers badly need a vertical threat. Bo Melton hasn't quite found that extra gear he showed flashes of last season, and the remaining receivers just aren't those guys. That isn't any sort of knock against those players, just that they do not fill that role. Musgrave has big-play ability, and this is the perfect game to get him going.
4. Find a secondary pairing they can trust
The Packers ruled out Evan Williams, Jaire Alexander, and Zayne Anderson for this week's game. Alexander is likely out for the remainder of the season, barring a potential Super Bowl appearance.
This is particularly notable given that Jeff Hafley's defense works best when the corners can play man-to-man coverage and everyone else can play downhill. Unfortunately, Green Bay has struggled to find guys outside Carrington Valentine who can consistently cover 1-on-1. Keisean Nixon has shown occasional flashes but has gotten burned a number of times, Eric Stokes still is without a single pass breakup since his rookie season.
If anyone outside of Alexander misses significant time, Green Bay could be in a real bind this season, specifically this week against the Bears. DJ Moore and Keenan Allen aren't quite Jordan Addison and Justin Jefferson, but they are a solid group that could greatly test this unit.
5. Get Josh Jacobs his touches, then rest him
Josh Jacobs is the leading playmaker of the Packers offense. While Christian Watson is important and was a limited participant during Friday's practice, Jacobs is perhaps the single most important player to the Packers not named Jordan Love. That said, Matt LaFleur already voiced his intention to play the starters but said he would be mindful of their use.
LaFleur will likely get Jacobs some work early but ultimately give the workload this week to Emanuel Wilson and unsung hero Chris Brooks — that's what Jacobs is expecting. The Packers are the youngest team in the league and need to be sharp going into the playoffs. Playing most of the starters is the right thing to do, but Jacobs is probably the one guy you could completely sit, if you choose to.