Entering Week 18, the Green Bay Packers have a possibility of two seeds, with three potential first-round opponents.

The Packers can clinch the sixth seed with a win and a Commanders loss. If Green Bay secures the sixth seed, they’ll face either the Los Angeles Rams or the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who could still swap the third and fourth seeds. However, a Commanders win will lock the Packers into the seventh seed and a trip to Philadelphia.

Earlier this week, there was discussion on social media about whether the Packers should rest some starters for their Week 18 game against the Chicago Bears. Green Bay is currently the seventh seed and can climb as high as the sixth but no higher. Ensuring the team is as healthy as possible for the playoffs may outweigh the benefits of playing key starters in a inconsequential game.

On Wednesday, Matt LaFleur told the media that all healthy starters will play in the regular-season finale. LaFleur acknowledged the potential backlash regardless of his choice. 

"The right answer is whatever works," he said. "You gotta have a philosophy and do what works best for you."

The last time the Packers rested starters in Week 18 was during the final game of the 2021 season in Detroit. Starters played only the first half, and Green Bay lost that game. Two weeks later, they were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers in the Divisional Round. 

“We were in a similar situation a few years back, where we played the guys a half and lost in the second half,” LaFleur recalled. “Then we had the bye and lost in the playoffs. So, like, the right answer is whatever works, it’s really what I’ll tell you. I know you’re subject to criticism. If it goes great, then that was the right way to do it. If it doesn’t go the way you wanted to, then you learn from every experience.”

Playing the starters this week is the right move. If the Packers climb to the sixth seed, there’s still a slim chance of hosting a playoff game this year, however unlikely. Just having that possibility is valuable. Additionally, it’s crucial for the team to build momentum after a tough road loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

The key question is how LaFleur and the coaching staff will manage the snap counts between starters and backups.

By the time this article is published, Green Bay may have ruled out most starters dealing with injuries. Christian Watson, Quay Walker, Evan Williams, Elgton Jenkins, Brenton Cox Jr, Zayne Anderson, and Andre Dillard did not participate in Wednesday’s jog-through. On Thursday, Watson warmed up inside with the team for the first time since his knee injury against the New Orleans Saints but did not join practice outside. Meanwhile, Williams, Walker, Cox, and Anderson were in the rehab area. Dillard was absent. 

The Packers aren’t focused on scoreboard-watching on Sunday. Their priority is taking care of their own business and letting the results unfold as they will. That said, it’s possible they could receive updates on the Commanders’ game. If Washington appears to be on track for an easy win, Green Bay might opt to rest their starters and give the backups a chance to play.

This approach is quite common in Brazilian soccer, where all final matchday games are played at the same time. Teams often keep tabs on other results, and if their goals become unattainable, they tend to ease up. While American sports operate differently, it’s an interesting comparison to consider.

We could see plenty of Chris Brooks and Emanuel Wilson on Sunday. Josh Jacobs has logged at least 18 touches in five of the last seven games, and the Packers need to keep him as fresh as possible for the playoffs. While Jacobs is the elite back, Brooks and Wilson have proven they can keep Green Bay's rushing attack effective.

Elgton Jenkins has been managing a knee injury recently. While he hasn’t missed a game this season, it’s reasonable to wonder if Green Bay will give their veteran the week off to heal for the postseason stretch. Jenkins is the highest-graded offensive guard in pass-blocking this year and a player the offense cannot afford to lose.

Ty'Ron Hopper has played the least snaps of the linebacker room, with just 18 defensive snaps this season. Edgerrin Cooper is the next closest, having played 432 snaps.. Quay Walker is dealing with an ankle injury, which could open the door for Hopper to take on a rotational role. Fortunately, Cooper is playing like one of the best linebackers in the league, which could help ease some of the pressure on Hopper.

The Packers technically have something to play for, but there’s a good chance Matt LaFleur will choose to share the load of snaps among his players. The primary goal on Sunday is to get out of the game as healthy as possible, and they’ll handle everything else regarding playoff seeding as it comes. Playing the starters is the right choice, but ensuring a fair share of snaps between the starters and backups is also the smart move.