MINNEAPOLIS – Matt LaFleur didn't want to enter the playoffs on a four-game losing streak, but the head coach had a choice to make.
He chose to prioritize his team's health over any potential momentum that could be gained in a regular-season finale that would not impact the Packers' playoff position.
After Sunday's offensively listless 16-3 loss to the Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium with Green Bay's backups carrying the day, LaFleur doesn't regret his decision.
"I think we did the right thing today," he said. "We'll see, time will tell. But I feel better about this certainly than I did a year ago after the (last regular-season) game."
He's referring to the loss of receiver Christian Watson to an ACL injury in last January's Week 18 game against the Bears, which clearly impacted the Packers' offensive performance in a one-and-done playoff appearance.
Quarterback Jordan Love also banged up his elbow in that game, though he didn't miss the playoff contest.
LaFleur absolutely wasn't going to take any such risk again, calling Watson's injury "a major driving force" in his thought process this past week.
So instead of preparing his starters to snap a three-game losing streak prior to the postseason, he focused their practice time on pitting the first units on offense and defense against each other, rather than against scout teams.
They were purposeful, high-intensity practice periods, just without the injury risk, in a controlled environment. They may have some more practice time like that this week mixed amongst the preparation for either a Bears or Eagles opponent with whom the Packers are plenty familiar already.
"I think we're physically in a better place," LaFleur said of his team compared to last year at this time. "You definitely stick with your process that you believe in. It's just everybody has to understand the magnitude of the playoffs and what that brings.
"There's a finality to it. You've got to go play your best ball."
Jordan Love will enter the playoffs not having played since getting concussed by a helmet hit in the second quarter of the Week 16 game at Chicago. But LaFleur is putting it on his practice plan to avoid any potential rust so that he could eliminate any further injury risk for the franchise QB.
The only regulars on offense who played in this game were starting right guard Anthony Belton and reserve receiver Matthew Golden, both rookies, and former first-round pick Jordan Morgan, making his first start at left tackle. Morgan had been filling in for the injured Zach Tom at right tackle, but switching him for Sunday must be a good sign Tom will be ready for the playoffs.
On defense, linebacker Isaiah McDuffie, cornerback Keisean Nixon and safeties Evan Williams and Javon Bullard saw action, with Bullard leaving due to a knee injury late in the game. LaFleur said after the game he's hoping Bullard is "OK."
So not a perfectly clean outing on the health front, but the Packers are looking for Josh Jacobs, Rasheed Walker, Xavier McKinney, Quay Walker, Edgerrin Cooper and all their top receivers, among several others, to be as fresh as possible for next week.
The team's bye during the regular season was all the way back in Week 5, and adjustments on both sides of the ball have been made since the midseason losses of tight end Tucker Kraft and offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins, followed by the more recent defensive absences of Devonte Wyatt and Micah Parsons.
The No. 7 seed isn't ideal, as it dictates road games only, and not having won a game for a month isn't exactly preferable. But going into the playoffs rested and with available players healthy is Green Bay's best shot, and they're going to take it.
"I think our guys are excited," LaFleur said. "They're excited for the challenge, excited for the opportunity, and that's how they're going to attack it. It's a clean slate. We have an opportunity and that's all you can ask for.
"I believe in that locker room, believe in the talent we have, the players we have, how committed they are, how together they are, and I know the type of fight we have as a football team."
