GREEN BAY – The Packers can't ignore what happened in Chicago three games ago, as that agonizing overtime defeat will be part of their film study and preparation for Saturday night's playoff rematch at Soldier Field.
But the message from the head coach is there's no dwelling on it.
"I think that's in the past," Matt LaFleur said Tuesday, shortly before the team embarked on a jog-through practice as a warm-up to Wednesday's padded practice.
"There's nothing we can do about that. We've just got to look to the future."
With that in mind, LaFleur gave updates on several players as the postseason has arrived:
Trevon Diggs – The newly arrived cornerback played roughly half the snaps in his Packers debut at Minnesota, doing his best to get acclimated to defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley's scheme.
LaFleur liked physicality Diggs played with, pointing out a punch he took at the ball once on a tackle, and mentioning how much extra work the former All-Pro had been putting in with defensive pass game coordinator Derrick Ansley and other assistants to process the playbook.
With the Packers down to Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine and Diggs as their only experienced cornerbacks heading into the playoffs, the defense could be counting on Diggs in a significant way, provided he learns enough of the coverage calls and checks.
"It's just about getting him up to speed, so that 'Haf' doesn't feel like there's things we cannot call," LaFleur said.
Malik Willis – The No. 2 QB has been dealing with hamstring and right shoulder injuries, and sat out the regular-season finale at Minnesota. LaFleur said he expects Willis to be Jordan Love's backup this week.
Also, the Packers made a change at the No. 3 QB spot, signing recent arrival Desmond Ridder from the practice squad to the active roster and releasing Clayton Tune, who started last Sunday's game against the Vikings.
Dontayvion Wicks – The third-year receiver sustained a concussion in the Week 17 game vs. Baltimore and did not play last week. LaFleur said he's scheduled to practice this week but hasn't yet cleared the concussion protocol.
Josh Jacobs – In trying to get his troublesome knee right, Jacobs was limited to just four carries two games ago vs. Baltimore and didn't play at Minnesota. The bell-cow running back finished the regular season with a team-leading 929 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns.
The hope is he's now as healthy if not healthier than he was before initially injuring the knee in mid-November against the Giants. LaFleur wasn't putting any expectations on his workload but said Jacobs is "in great spirits."
Zach Tom – The Packers lost their stalwart right tackle to a knee injury at Denver a little less than a month ago, and he hasn't played since. LaFleur expects him to be ready to go in Chicago, which should provide a stabilizing force to the offensive line.
"I think that would be a huge get," LaFleur said. "He's our most consistent offensive linemen. He's one of the best in the league at his potion. So that would definitely be a boost."
For this third matchup between the rivals in a 35-day span, the Packers will look different offensively than the second meeting with a healthy Love (who entered the concussion protocol in the second quarter of the Week 16 game at Chicago), healthy Jacobs and healthy Tom.
Defensively, safety Evan Williams has since returned from the knee injury that kept him out of the last matchup, while Diggs has replaced the injured Nate Hobbs at corner.
Meanwhile, the Bears expect to have receiver Rome Odunze back in action and are hoping to get cornerback Kyler Gordon, who's been designated to return from injured reserve.
Overall, perhaps the biggest contrast between these two squads is that the Packers are in the playoffs for the third year in a row while the Bears qualified for the first time in five years.
Only the rookies in Green Bay haven't experienced NFL postseason football to some degree, while large portions of the Chicago locker room haven't.
Will that make a difference? Time will tell.
"I think it matters," LaFleur said of playoff experience, "but when you get into these situations, you try not to make it more than what it is. For us, for our mindset, it is the next game."
