The Packers and Bears will write chapter 202 in the great NFL rivalry on Sunday in a game that not only closes down the 2020 regular season but has huge playoff implications for both teams. The 12-3 Packers, already champs of the NFC North can wrap up the conference’s number one seed and only first round bye with a victory while the 8-7 Bears can join the playoff party with a win on their Soldier Field home turf.
The last time both rivals had playoff implications in a season finale was in 2013 when the Bears, 8-7 again that year, were looking to eliminate the 7-7-1 Packers. After breaking Aaron Rodgers’ left collarbone in that season’s first meeting in week 8, the Packers stumbled to the finish line but Rodgers returned after missing 7 games to start the last one in Chicago. He called his 4th and 8, 48 yard touchdown pass to Randall Cobb in the final minute as one of his top 5 moments as a Packer.
Could we have the same drama this weekend?
Both clubs held only walkthrough sessions today but the Packers got encouraging medical news. Jamaal Williams, who missed the Tennessee game would have been a limited participant coming off his quad injury and Jace Sternberger is apparently coming out of the concussion protocol after three weeks as he was listed as a limited participant.
Kingsley Keke was one of two players who would not have practiced as he’s now in the concussion protocol and right tackle Rick Wagner would have sat out with a knee injury suffered against the Titans but Head Coach Matt LaFleur said earlier in the week it did not appear to be serious.
Finally, the front office finally got serious about bolstering the run defense by finally bringing veteran defensive tackle Damon “Snacks” Harrison into the fold. General Manager Brian Gutekunst put in the claim and the ninth year veteran was awarded to the Packers on waviers from the Seattle Seahawks. After playing in 6 games for Seattle this year, Harrison was a healthy scratch in last weekend’s victory over the Rams which upset him to the point of asking for his release. It was granted by GM Jon Schneider on Monday and the Packers snapped up Snacks. Gutekunst was interested in bringing him on board earlier this year but Harrison opted instead for the Seahawks. Gutekunst instead signed former Anthony Rush and also brought back Brian Price over the past couple of weeks but the 6-3, 350 pound Harrison has far more NFL experience. He began his career as an undrafted rookie free agent with the New York Jets in 2012 and also spent time with the Giants and Detroit Lions.
