GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Green Bay Packers can get in the playoffs with a victory over the Chicago Bears Sunday at Lambeau Field.
Matt LaFleur is 9-0 against the Bears since becoming the Packers head coach. That’s the best start by any NFL head coach ever against the Bears. But LaFleur knows the Bears are playing well. They’ve won four out of five.
“It looks like a group that has played 16 games together,” said LaFleur. “You look at their roster, and for the most part, most of those guys are healthy and they’ve played a lot of ball together.”
Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander returned to the practice field Wednesday. He was suspended last week for conduct detrimental to the team.
“I think it was definitely something to learn from,” Alexander told reporters. “There’s definitely things that I could have improved upon during that week to help with the communication. Moving forward, that won’t happen again. It’s easy to talk to my guys. But, talking to anybody else would be a little bit of a challenge. I’ve got to get better at that.”
“I’m not going to get into too many of the specifics,” said LaFleur when asked about Alexander’s role in the cornerback rotation Sunday. “You guys will find out later in the week. But I will say that it was great to have him back. We had a great conversation on Monday and I think he’s ready to go.”
Alexander said he wants to stay with the Packers long term and that his role and personality will largely stay the same.
“I’m very grateful to be here,” said Alexander, staring into the cameras. “It doesn’t affect my relationship with anybody. I think if anything, it improved it. It was good for both parties to hear both sides. We got down to the nitty gritty. Nothing really changed, I just continue to be a leader that I have been. My interviews might be a little more serious, but other than that, [I won’t change].”
Packers quarterback Jordan Love was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week for his performance against the Minnesota Vikings. Love knows the stakes are high for Sunday’s game against the Bears.
“I think this team is motivated enough,” said Love. “Just the situation. We have to get into the playoffs, and how bad we want that.”
There was encouraging news on the injury front for the Packers. Wide receivers Christian Watson and Dontayvion Wicks and linebacker De’Vondre Campbell all were able to practice.
The table was set for the Packers last season. A win over the Detroit Lions in the season finale at Lambeau Field would have put the Packers in the playoffs. They lost.
This season, substitute the Bears as an opponent and the story is the same. The Packers want a different result.
“Yeah, it was tough,” said Love, who was serving as the backup to former Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. “I think any time the season ends, it’s always heartbreaking. But to have a situation where you win, you get in the playoffs, you lose, you’re done. You know, those are the tough ones.”
Love appreciates how the Packers have overcome adversity this season.
“Stick together and come out the other end,” said Love. “There’s been a lot of lessons throughout the season. I’m happy to say that we’re in position to get in the playoffs if we win this last game. That’s what you play for, right? You play for these moments, these opportunities to play in the competitive games. You want to be playing these games to have a chance to go to the playoffs. And so, that’s exactly where we’re at. And I think everybody’s excited for it because it’s going to be fun. This is obviously the biggest game of the season so far for us. So, I’m excited for it.”
Alexander was impressed with how the young Packers corners played at Minnesota.
“Initially, I was very upset,” said Alexander. “But when my guys went out there and did what they did, I couldn’t be too mad. I was pretty happy. You know, I sic my young bulls on them and I didn’t have to move a muscle.”
Alexander admitted to being surprised he was suspended, saying he thought he’d be fined.