The Packers are playing for a playoff spot on Sunday against the Bears. Chicago might be playing for the No. 2 seed in the NFC.
Even if the Eagles lost to Minnesota on Tuesday night, Bears coach Lovie Smith plans to play his starters against the Packers. And the reality is that it’s very unlikely the Vikings and Joe Webb will help out the Bears Tuesday.
“There is just so much going on this week,” Smith said via the Chicago Tribune. “For us, it just seems like we have to play our best ball this week in Game 16. Number one, I mean, it’s the Packers and the Bears. That in itself really makes you play your best ball.”
Smith famously said it was his first goal as Bears coach to beat the Packers. Potentially knocking them out of the playoffs would be a signature moment in his run, no matter what happened in the playoffs.
The Bears also have to consider what would happen if they lose. If the Eagles win out, the Bears could go from having a playoff bye to playing the Packers in back-to-back weeks.
As an impartial observer, that would be a lot of fun to watch.
