Going into Week 18, there is still potential for major movement within areas of the current NFL Playoff Picture. But, one thing is for certain: the Green Bay Packers are locked into a Wild Card spot and don’t have a whole lot to play for.
Oh, except for the fact that this week’s game is against the Chicago Bears. So, is there something to play for?
Absolutely.
The Packers are now going for their 12th straight victory over the Bears to further their current advantage in the league’s most storied rivalry. While neither team has a whole lot to play for, this matchup will always mean more than others.
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At least, the Bears would like to make you believe it does. Their last couple of head coaches have come in promising to beat the Packers, but, haven’t always been able to accomplish that task — and that’s putting it lightly.
Without much motivation to play this Sunday, let alone play their big names at all, the Packers will likely still roll their starters out onto the field and try to bring home their last regular season win. After all, this team does need to recoup some of the momentum lost with last week’s defeat.
The only major question, now, is whether or not the starters will play the entire game.
As for running back Josh Jacobs, who is in his first year with the team, he may not end up playing much at all in this game. According to the man, himself, Jacobs’ usage could be limited.
It doesn’t sound like Josh Jacobs will be playing much in Week 18 against the Bears
Jacobs told Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette just how much he sees himself getting in on the action:
“Just being honest, being realistic, I don’t see me taking that many carries in this game. Obviously, I want to play. I’m going to push to play, and I’m playing. But I don’t see myself taking 30 carries.”
Jacobs has had a tremendous season and has been the catalyst of this Packers offense for the majority of the year. After scoring just three rushing touchdowns over the first half of this season, Jacobs has now tied a franchise record with seven games in a row in which he’s scored on the ground.
This includes a pair of three-touchdown outings as well.
Jacobs has been dominant, but the Packers likely won’t need him to be their workhorse in this game. Whether or not the game goes the way fans would like is irrelevant. Green Bay is on to the postseason. Chicago is not.
The Packers need a healthy Jacobs for the coming weeks and will do whatever they can to ensure that happens.
