It’s unsettling how similar the events are.
The Green Bay Packers were 8-8 entering into the regular season finale a year ago. The Packers were on a roll, having won four straight games. Green Bay may clinch a playoff spot with a win over visiting Detroit, which is already out of the playoffs.
Instead, quarterback Aaron Rodgers struggled, Aaron Jones fumbled, and the defense crumbled when it mattered most.
The result was a 20-16 Detroit victory, which eliminated Green Bay from the playoffs.
“I think this is probably the lowest it’s been in my four years here in terms of just understanding how close we were and how short of the goal that we came,” said former Packers wideout Allen Lazard that night.
Fast forward a year, and the same drama has played out.
The Packers are 8-8 again, and they’re on a two-game winning streak. Green Bay can clinch a postseason spot with a win in the last game of the regular season. And, once again, the Packers will have that chance at Lambeau Field against a team that has already been eliminated from postseason contention.
The main difference this season is that Green Bay will meet Chicago instead of Detroit.
A year ago, Detroit, which won the NFC North this season, considered the Week 18 game in Green Bay as its biggest game of the year. The Lions did not rest any of their players and won thanks to a late touchdown run by former Packers Jamaal Williams.
Rodgers was also restricted to a 2.6 passer rating in the fourth quarter.
“We don’t want them (the Packers) to go (to the playoffs),” Detroit coach Dan Campbell stated. “That’s our motivation.”
Chicago will approach Sunday’s game similarly.
The Bears, like the Lions a year ago, are on the rise. Chicago has won four of its last five games and climbed to 7-9 following an 0-4 start.
Matt Eberflus, the coach of the Chicago Bears, is still fighting for his job. Eberflus also intends to play all of Chicago’s regulars on Sunday afternoon.
“It’s all about finishing,” remarked Eberflus on Monday. “It’ll be about us, the Chicago Bears, going up to face our rival in the final week of the season.” That is what it is all about.
“Our guys are pumped about it, and we’re ready for the challenge.” It’s going to be a good week, and it’ll all come down to execution, which our players are very excited about.”
Green Bay, the NFL’s youngest team, is also excited.
Many sites predicted that the Packers, who are rebuilding after dealing Rodgers last April, would finish last in the NFC North. Green Bay’s young talent, on the other hand, has matured swiftly, quarterback Jordan Love has played at an All-Pro level, and the Packers’ rebuild is obviously ahead of schedule.
Green Bay simply needs to finish the regular season stronger than it did last year.
“We’ve got to get one more,” said Jones, who has two 100-yard rushing games in a row. “If we get that one, we’ll be in the playoffs.” Everyone’s ambition is to get to the second season.”
End of the defensive line Kenny Clark concurred.
“That’s exactly what you want,” Clark stated. “The last game of the season to get in the playoffs, playing the Bears, what else can you ask for?”
Obviously, a victory.
Green Bay’s postseason hopes were shattered on their home turf a year ago.
The Packers will be hoping for a much different outcome on Sunday.
“Obviously, the season is on the line,” LaFleur said. “There’s obviously a lot of hard work and dedication that goes into — it’s not just us, it’s every team in the league — but to watch and see the growth that our guys have made over the course of the season has been pretty remarkable.”
“I’m really proud of those guys in that locker room and I’m really excited for Sunday vs. the Chicago Bears at home and hopefully our fans will show up and support us and give us that edge.”
