It’s not just one game to return to the NFL Playoffs, it’s the next game in the longest, most played and best rivalry in professional football. The Green Bay Packers welcome the Chicago Bears to Lambeau Field on Sunday at 3:25 PM. It’s only the 208th meeting between the league originals. The two winningest franchises all-time, the Packers with 797 victories, the Bears with 793. If the 8-8 Packers beat the 7-9 Bears to give them 798 wins all time, it will propel them back into the post-season for the fourth time in Head Coach Matt LaFleur’s five years at the helm. It will also keep them even with the Dallas Cowboys who have already qualified, with an NFL best 36 playoff seasons. The 2023 edition of the Packers couldn’t dream of a better finale, win to get in against the most storied and bitter rival.
The practice week couldn’t have begun with more encouraging news on several fronts, most notably with Jordan Love. He earned his first NFC Offensive Player of the Week award for his performance against the Minnesota Vikings on New Year’s Eve. In the 33-10 victory, Love was 24 of 33 for 256 yards and three touchdowns, good for a passer rating of 125.3. He also rushed twice for two yards including a one yard scoring run. A well deserved honor for Love who now has a league leading five games with at least three touchdowns and no interceptions. He’s done in it over his first 17 games as a starter which has been matched all time by only Patrick Mahomes, Dan Marino and Brock Purdy. In the last 7 games in which the Packers have gone 5-2, Love has thrown 16 touchdown passes to just 1 interception. It certainly is an award well earned.
At practice, Love had to smile looking at the wide receiver line in drills.
A full compliment of wide receivers working Wednesday.
Christian Watson and Dontayvion Wicks who both have been out with injury, returned to drills. Jayden Reed battling a chest injury also took part and said afterward he feels much better. It’s the first time in weeks the offense has had the full compliment of pass catchers practicing. All three were still on a scary first injury report of the week which included 21 names but it’s possible only one player is likely to be unavailable.
Linebacker Isaiah McDuffie is in the concussion protocol and may be hard pressed to get cleared by Sunday. He didn’t participate nor did Elgton Jenkins who continues to get veteran Wednesday rest days, A.J. Dillon who had an aggravation to his broken right thumb against Minnesota, Rudy Ford with a hamstring pull and Preston Smith with a sore ankle.
11 players were limited but outside of Luke Musgrave, getting closer to coming off injured reserve and possibly Watson with his hamstring, the rest should be good to go. Zayne Anderson, Aaron Jones, Josh Myers, Keisean Nixon, Jonathan Owens, T.J. Slaton, Quay Walker, Wicks and Reed.
Among the handful of full participants was De’Vondre Campbell who hasn’t practiced since his social media post two weeks ago declaring his intention not to practice or play through injury any longer. Campbell posted another rather cryptic message today which said, “Don’t ever let them forget how they treated you when you were down. Forgive but don’t forget.” Not sure who Campbell refers to with “them”, could be management, could be the fans. With McDuffie hurting, the team needs Campbell back on the field and back in form. Darnell Savage returned last week while Luke Tenuta and Emmanuel Wilson are wrapping up their stay on injured reserve.
The last name on that list was Jaire Alexander. The All-Pro defensive back was reinstated from the Reserve/Suspended list on Tuesday and rejoined the team at practice.
Jaire Alexander back stretching with the squad.
His one game suspension for conduct detrimental to the team has been served and after practice, stepped in front of a large crowd of reporters, microphones and rolling cameras to talk about the discipline handed down last week by General Manager Brian Gutekunst and how he will move forward with the team.
Taking Alexander on his word with that last thought. He fielded questions without gaudy gold chains and championship wrestling belts thrown over his shoulder, no white rimmed, dark tinted sunglasses or wild sombreros. Just a knit hat on his head and a pretty serious tone. When asked point blank at the finish if he wants to be with the Packers in 2024, he said yes.
Even though it was just a jog through practice to start the week of preparation for the last and most significant game of the season, the Packers were surrounded by plenty of positive vibes. They’ll need ’em all. It’s Bear week, with a playoff berth on the line.
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