Matt LaFleur Faces Tough Choices Ahead of the Packers Trip to Minnesota
By GilMartin

The Green Bay Packers will finish the 2025 NFL regular season this weekend in Minnesota. The game will have no impact on the Packers place in the standings or who their playoff opponent will be. But the outcome of the game could still make a difference in other ways for the Packers as they head into the playoffs. That gives head coach Matt LaFleur some tough decisions to make before this weekend’s game.
There are no more dominant teams in the modern NFL. The Super Bowl winner is now usually the team that gets hot at the right time which is usually at the end of December and into January. Well, the Packers are doing the exact opposite of that. The team has now lost three straight games, all in demoralizing fashion. The Packers held a two-score lead in the second half against both Denver and Chicago only to watch those leads slip away. Then, the Ravens just dominated the line of scrimmage and ran right over the Packers at Lambeau Field last Saturday.
Needless to say, the atmosphere in the Green Bay locker room after the Ravens game was not one of confidence. The team had just been embarrassed on their home field. The Packers knew the Ravens were going to try to run the ball down their throats and yet they were powerless to stop Derrick Henry and backup quarterback Tyler Huntley.
LaFleur could choose to rest many of his key players. He certainly recalls what happened last season. Wide receiver Christian Watson suffered a torn ACL in the regular season finale which caused him to miss the playoffs and the first six games of this season. The team already has lost so many key players to injuries this season including tight end Tucker Kraft, defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt, and defensive end Micah Parsons.
The Packers also have a lot of players dealing with injuries that could benefit from a week of rest to recover physically and mentally. Quarterback Jordan Love remains in concussion protocol after missing the Ravens game. His backup, Malik Willis, aggravated the injury to his throwing shoulder and left the Ravens game early as a result.
Starting right tackle Zach Tom has missed the last two games due to assorted injuries. Another week of rest could help him be in a better position to start on the playoffs with the season on the line.
Running back Josh Jacobs missed one game due to a knee injury. While Jacobs has proven his toughness while trying to play through the injury, he was not effective Saturday against the Ravens, running just four times for three yards. He was stopped on a key 4th-and-1 play early in the game that forced the Packers to give the ball up on downs.
Other players like Watson and Evan Williams have recently returned from injuries and while they played well, a week off to improve their health before a playoff game could certainly prove beneficial.
But on the flip side, can this team afford to enter the playoffs on a four-game losing streak? Psychologically, this team needs an emotional boost in the worst way. They haven’t won a game since Parsons was injured and lost for the season. The team seems demoralized and lacks confidence. Since the third quarter of the Broncos game earlier this month, they have fallen from a potential second seed in the NFC to backing into the playoffs as the seventh seed.
If LaFleur starts Clayton Tune and rests many key players, the Packers will likely lose to the Vikings and enter the playoffs on a four-game losing streak. If he plays them all, he risks injuries and could make some of the injured players worse. And if he plays his starters and they lose, that could be an even bigger blow for this team’s already fragile confidence.
Ultimately, the injured players should be rested to prevent further injuries and to give the Packers the best chance to play well when it matters in the playoffs. But these decisions are not easy, and they are made even more complicated by the fact that LaFleur may not have job security under new team president Ed Policy if the Packers are embarrassed in the playoffs. LaFleur has some tough decisions to make, and they may be decided on a player-by-player basis.
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Comments (60)
Snap the ball
December 29, 2025 at 10:08 am
It’s easy folks
Remember Bill hoodie coming into Lambeau and exposing all the weakness . We didn’t win on a last second field goal. But after that didn’t play well for weeks.
The same as Broncos game they exposed things.. Bill and Payton say all the nice things about Matt. But in the end they exposed stuff like good coaches due.
We dealt with it last couple weeks.
Until it’s fixed won’t be able to win many games.
You see 49ers offense line movement. Can we ever do that.
Once again 5-3 at home doesn’t work.
Snap the ball
December 29, 2025 at 10:13 am
Just like the Bears player that slammed down a Rodger’s . Just like Booker slamming down Love and giving the little extra . I think Jordan tuff it out vs Bears until the head blow. But shoulder took a good shot. Vikings Bears Lions they like giving the little extra when they have the chance. They didn’t like Rodger’s and they don’t like Love. It’s simple …and that’s fine.
Snap the ball
December 29, 2025 at 10:15 am
Just rest folks. We need draft capital. One spot might mean a hall of famer
NJ-RICK
December 29, 2025 at 11:54 am
Not with our GM.... Gute will be gone very soon....
brenner
December 29, 2025 at 06:02 pm
When your first pick in the draft is in the 50s, who gives a shit if it's 52 or 54?
GregC
December 29, 2025 at 10:16 am
I hate to say it, but I think the best route is to rest all of the players who are banged up. Going all out to win a meaningless game will quite possibly end in a loss anyway, because the players know it's meaningless.
The success or failure of the Packers' season will be determined in the playoffs. Coming into this season, I thought the team would have to crash and burn for Brian Gutekunst or Matt LaFleur to be in any kind of jeopardy. Maybe that's what's happening. Or maybe not. At any rate, the outcome of this last game is not going to move the needle in either direction.
NFLfan
December 29, 2025 at 10:24 am
Rest them. Make certain they don't 'over-rest' and develop rust for play-off game
T7Steve
December 29, 2025 at 10:46 am
Hit the wrong reply. Sorry.
T7Steve
December 29, 2025 at 10:24 am
"The team seems demoralized and lacks confidence."
Wouldn't any team that has nothing to use up front? The place that matters most in football at any level?
All season I felt the O-line was what was holding the Packers up. Now, the D-line injuries have made them the brunt of the attacks by other teams.
Can't believe I'd ever think that they don't have the horses anymore to even make successful adjustments to how teams are playing against them. At least before I could blame it on the coaches not putting players in the right spots.
Thought all they had to do is get to the playoffs and anything could happen. Now it will in bad ways with no fronts to speak of.
Just try not to be embarrassed and get healthy to start out next season. We know where most of the work needs to be done.
Coldworld
December 29, 2025 at 11:25 am
No. That’s the point. A team with the right culture goes down fighting and, sometimes, finds it didn’t go down at all. If it does, it goes out able to hold their heads high. Our D was the opposite of that. Essentially, LaFleur conceded that with his explanation.
T7Steve
December 29, 2025 at 12:04 pm
I believe in going down fighting. Not trying to fight getting pushed backwards two yards at the snap. How do you keep that from being demoralizing?
Coldworld
December 29, 2025 at 05:43 pm
Pad level of course.
jont
December 29, 2025 at 08:38 pm
😄
Lphill
December 29, 2025 at 10:27 am
sit Gary or just Don't start him let Brooks and Hopefully Oliver get his snaps.
MooPack
December 29, 2025 at 10:43 am
Agreed. Cut Cox, Sorrell, and Oliver loose as pass rushers and let's see what they've got. I really don't want to see any more conservative scheme and play calling for this game.
T7Steve
December 29, 2025 at 10:54 am
Just the opposite. He's playing like it's his last games in GB. May as well save some miles on the others and maybe he'll put on a good show to audition for his next team.
Always liked Gary and stuck up for him. That was till I saw Parsons pass him from three steps behind and beat him by three steps in pursuit a few times on replays. It's probably not fair to compare the two, but it didn't look like talent or speed it looked like effort. Like, "I don't think I can get there in time to make a difference, so why bother?"
Gman1976
December 29, 2025 at 01:35 pm
I was a Gary fan, but seeing him not holding the edge run after run, and not getting to the QB for all that pay, made me want him to leave. Not sure what's wrong with him.
stockholder
December 29, 2025 at 10:35 am
Choice #!
You can't coach people unless you love them.
MLF is not Gute. Don't try to be.
Choice #2
What is wrong with them?
Fundamentals usually is the fix.
But - Quick Fixes cannot solve a problem
and make it go away for good.
Choice #3
Let them have fun.
MLF should let everyone in this game.
Don't worry about the outcome.
Packerpasty
December 29, 2025 at 11:50 am
dont worry about the outcome is right....what are the chances of winning a playoff game as the SEVENTH seed anyway?? Not very good....let them play....
TarynsEyes
December 29, 2025 at 10:58 am
This team is injured as a whole, so, does it really matter. The season is over in two weeks, and this team has much bigger issues to figure out than who sits out Sunday.
T7Steve
December 29, 2025 at 11:05 am
Exactly!
Wait to see what happens when they face playoff caliber fronts on both sides of the ball when they can't even handle teams that are 500.
Coldworld
December 29, 2025 at 11:22 am
True, but I want us going out in the playoffs as healthy as possible and going out all guns blazing. If we lose I don’t want the excuses that our health undermined us or prevented us from executing. Let us show our mettle without obfuscation.
TarynsEyes
December 29, 2025 at 11:43 am
Yes, and why there isn't a single reason for any injured player to play Sunday, less to have a team of 11 on the field.
As to excuses, those will be plenty, as is always.
The Packers should run the ball on every play with RBs, DL, OL, anyone that can hold a ball at the snap, and run the play clock to one second and get this game over as quickly as possible. No timeouts called, nothing to stop the clock from ticking down fast.
splitpea1
December 29, 2025 at 11:03 am
Rest as many starters as possible. I'm all in favor of starting Tune: you'll get a preview of whether or not he has any shot of securing next season's backup spot. I haven't missed a Packers game in something like 35 years, but that streak will end unless there's a reason to watch.
TarynsEyes
December 29, 2025 at 11:21 am
I'll never not watch a Packer game, but I do watch through spaced fingers over my eyes, like Marlon Brando in Apocalypse Now, crying out, "The Horror, The Horror".
Coldworld
December 29, 2025 at 11:17 am
The Vikings game means nothing. We are banged up. We aren’t so great a team that can win with key remaining players below par. We haven’t had a bye in months. Rest any player who gets significant snaps who has any kind of injury or just fatigue and absolutely key individuals like Watson.
Fill up the roster spots for Hadden and Riley and elevate 2 from the PS and play them meaningfully. The elevations reset in the playoffs, so we do not lose options elevating for this game. Get perennial Game day back ups a game so we don’t have the farce last year of guys getting their first serious snaps in the playoffs. Guys like Jennings, Monk.
This should not be a tough decision, rather an obvious one given our health and the meaningless nature of the game and the fact we have players we may need who have barely seen a snap. Go out against whomever in the playoffs as healthy as possible. If that means starting Tune, or playing him for most of it, so be it.
The result does not matter, only health and experience for those without it. If we do lose, the Vikings likely get a worse pick. If we win, then some players are stepping up and our depth is improved.
Lphill
December 29, 2025 at 11:18 am
I wonder if the Packers should have offered Gary to the Cowboys and kept Clark?
Coldworld
December 29, 2025 at 11:23 am
Jerry wanted a DT. I doubt even he would miss the fact that Gary isn’t one.
TarynsEyes
December 29, 2025 at 11:55 am
Or that Gary is anything.
GreenandBold
December 29, 2025 at 12:10 pm
I heard it had to be Clark or no deal . Not sure if Gary was offered but I think he was .
LambeauPlain
December 29, 2025 at 11:25 am
In 2010, the Packers won their last two to punch their playoff 6th seed ticket and won those 4 straight for the Lombardi.
In 1997 and 1996 they won their last five straight and went to consecutive Super Bowls.
Teams that get to Super Bowls don't lose their way into the playoffs. Maybe the Packers can again beat the bares (likely WC opponent) or the handle the Eagles in a rematch (less likely WC opponent, but possible).
Rest some starters, rest most starters and treat the Ugly Purple game like a preseason contest....or play to win for momentum. I don't think it is going to matter. But regular season ending losing streaks foreshadow one and done in the Dance.
The season is probably over except for the soprano solo. LaFleur doesn't want to hear her sing in two weeks either. Policy could be changing the team music soon.
Coldworld
December 29, 2025 at 11:40 am
We should beat the Bears. We are still a better team. Hafley needs to do better and LaFleur needs to be more inventive in the red zone. If Willis hasn’t given him some new ideas now, the guy is not as imaginative as many of his peers and it doesn’t stop there. Unfortunately there are better teams out there than the Bears and worse match ups.
Don’t buy the hype or overlook our coaching failures in prior meetings, both of which should have been victories at relative canters . The best 2 QBs on that day will be in Green and Gold. If you can’t win against that D with that QB differential, you don’t deserve to be a Head Coach. It’s that stark and that simple. Get as healthy as possible between now and then and just get it done as you should have previously. After that, things become much more challenging potentially.
Packerpasty
December 29, 2025 at 11:55 am
what ever is going on with Jacobs (part of that is our O line) is really hurting our red zone attempts, that and using the same pass play over and over ever since Kraft went out...
Coldworld
December 29, 2025 at 02:17 pm
Jacobs is injured. He is trying to play through it. He shouldn’t be. It’s visibly obvious not only that he’s not been himself but that Wilson is both faster and more sudden. So Jacobs should have been told to sit and the guy producing played without question.
Had we done that, Chicago might not have happened and the first quarter 4 down turnovers in our half probably doesn’t. A healthy Jacobs is our best back, but right now Wilson is. He got more yards than Jacobs on one rush (in the second half). The week before it was almost double the ypc.
It’s not like Wilson sucks. He matched Jacobs yards per carry last year and his yards afire contact and this year has our only 100 yard rushing game. There’s really no excuse for such coaching decisions. It’s impossible the coaches can’t see that. It’s only possible that they are too weak to address it or lack the objectivity to do so. All it does is potentially contribute to not winning and prolonging the de facto loss of a healthy Jacobs.
TarynsEyes
December 29, 2025 at 12:00 pm
Thinking GB is still the better team is being near-blind to what the Bears are doing and what the Packers aren't. Last night, the Packers would be been destroyed by the Niners, and no, even Willis wouldn't have been able to keep pace Offensively, just like against the Ravens, in the not too distant past.
Coldworld
December 29, 2025 at 02:24 pm
Well, the D might have done just as well as those of either team on that evening. You over rate the Bears performance and how the teams match up on that day, perhaps because they were gifted a pick 6 on the first play, which skewed possession opportunities.
I will call you on your claim regarding Willis versus Williams: 25 of 42 passes for a season-high 330 yards with two touchdowns. In fact I’d say those facts and figures do it for me. Willis had 348 total yards, 3 TDs and completed 18 of 21 passes for 288 yards and one of those TDs. A somewhat better completion percentage. The 49ers strength isn’t their D.
Unlike you to swallow the hype quite so eagerly.
LambeauPlain
December 29, 2025 at 12:43 pm
Yeah...the Niners with their IR list put up nearly 600 yards on the bares. Williams did pass for 330, 2 TDs, 0 INTs...and bares ran for 110.
But I still get deflated thinking about that game in Chicago. Sometimes when teams find ways to lose games with jaw dropping tendencies to fail to close out games is a collective "foot off the gas" and playing not to lose.
I see that often under LaFleur.
I didn't watch his presser after the Ravens picked the Packers carcass clean...but his ire seemed to mostly be on the defense's lack of effort and missed assignments on stunts and delay blitzes. Those packages did begin to work in the 3rd quarter, but after the O gave the ball back on a few possession, the D again played tired and flat and sloppy.
Coldworld
December 29, 2025 at 02:52 pm
16 games in, our head coach is stating that we didn’t know our assignments and missed our alignments. Was this versus a guy like Aaron Jones in his pomp? No. Henry is, and was on Saturday, primarily a between the tackles runner. He’s also not exactly an unknown proposition (though apparently he was to Quay Walker) I would call BS on such an unbelievable claim and put on the old MM pad level threshold of “I’ve got no answer”, but I’ve watched too many LaFleur teams too often to be entirely confident.
NFLfan
December 29, 2025 at 11:38 am
If Policy is going to change course, he should have already completed his research as teams will announce their new GM's and Head Coaches soon after the SB.
Coldworld
December 29, 2025 at 11:43 am
They will start interviewing once the regular season ends. It’s only those involved in games in any given week who are unavailable.
barutanseijin
December 29, 2025 at 01:46 pm
Research should start and end with a conference call to the brain trust here. The level-headed advice from folks like Fubar/Snafu, Señor Parilli and you Enefelfan should guarantee decades of SuperBowl glory. One call, that’s all!
canadapacker
December 29, 2025 at 11:40 am
First off - the Vikings didnt really beat the Lions - the Lions beat themselves. Fumbles INT's - Vikes had 3 passing yards.
We need to get our guys healthy - so play the guys who are not really banged up. Play the Oline - all of them except Tom. Get the snaps done properly - and try and work on our great 3rd down ( we are supposed to be one of the best 3rd down teams and yet always fail on 3rd and 1. Why are we running Jacobs into the rear ends of our Oline who cannot push a wheelbarrow down a sidewalk. Do some fakes and get our fast guys outside ie Love - run pass and make sure that the tight ends block.
This is a nothing game except that it is a game for next year. You always need to beat the guys in your division - whenever you play them - it gets into their head.
Coldworld
December 29, 2025 at 11:45 am
If the Vikings get a worse pick and think themselves better than they are, that’s fine with me.
Tex49
December 29, 2025 at 11:49 am
At this point rest is the best momentum this team can get, it’s banged up. Will it help time will tell, but playing the Vikings in a relatively meaningless game is not going to help the key contributors. I like playing the oline minus Tom they need the reps.
NJ-RICK
December 29, 2025 at 11:57 am
Whatever happens from here on, changes are fourth coming at the GM and some ast. coaching level. I think MLF is safe. he can only work with what our GM has provided him. Gute should have been gone years ago... Poor drafting and free agent acquisitions. The Parsons trade will not save his job. To little to late Gutey !
There is very little life in this team... Season will be over soon...
canadapacker
December 29, 2025 at 12:47 pm
VIkes fan- or maybe Da Bears - wrong web site buddy.
barutanseijin
December 29, 2025 at 01:47 pm
OK , if change is coming fourth, what’s first, second and third?
Since'61
December 29, 2025 at 11:58 am
While I agree that the Packers are a beat up team and that they should rest their injured players I also believe that if Love is cleared and 100% for the /vikings game that he should play at least the first half. If he does not play in this game it will be a full month since the last time he played a full game.
I realize that he was injured during the Bears game but it was early in the game. IMO he needs to play against a live opponent for at least part of this game.
If not he will probably have rust going into the playoff game and he can play the rust off. However by the time he does it may be too late. I'd rather have Love knock the rust off against the Vikings and work with his receivers prior to going against the Bears (most Likely).
While this game means nothing it also means nothing for Love to sit on the sidelines getting rusty prior to the playoff game. GPG! Thanks, Since '61
TarynsEyes
December 29, 2025 at 12:26 pm
I get what you're saying here 61', but if Love plays it will be to show he's still the man in GB, though who else could/should play will make that difficult, especially after all that is being inferred from the 'Willis' game. Although, with his contract, Love might simply not give a crap what is being said. Come next season, the Willis chants and praise will be a non-factor, and his rival will be, at the moment, a 'Tune' up job. As to rust, Love can look rusty any given week, one of his lesser attributes, but noticeable.
Since'61
December 29, 2025 at 05:32 pm
Taryn I agree with you. Either way Love is still the man in GB. At least for the forseeable future. Thanks, Since '61
canadapacker
December 29, 2025 at 12:54 pm
I agree 61 - he needs to play - maybe this game will be like the old 3 preseason game where the starters all played the first half. I think that besides Love - we need to get Golden some snaps and perhaps let our walking bandaid - who is playing great - Watson only a few snaps the same as Reed - but with Golden Melton Wicks and Williams - enough targets - so limit Doubs as well. On the D play them all and play them hard = especially those who have not been getting snaps until now with all the banged up guys.
And I dont know how bad the shoulder is but maybe Willis needs to sit and use the other guy
Starrbrite
December 29, 2025 at 04:38 pm
I agree with ‘61. Love needs a few game reps. Practice has its merits, but the Vikings pass rush and blitzing on every down is an excellent test.
Willis can play vs the Bears if Love can’t.
Go Packers!!!
barutanseijin
December 29, 2025 at 01:29 pm
Tough choices? For a no-stakes week 18 game? Six of one, half a dozen of another. Just get out of the game without any more injuries.
Aldo
December 29, 2025 at 01:37 pm
At this point, they have to play for next season and try to figure out how they can optimize the upcoming draft. They're not a playoff caliber team with all of the key people injured. It's nonsense to think otherwise.
Packerlifer
December 29, 2025 at 01:49 pm
I think the Packers defense should be on the field this Sunday to see if they can clean up all the faults they showed Saturday night. If they can't contain Minisota's offense, in the state it's in, they are in big trouble for the playoffs.
I wouldn't put it past Brian Flores to do a little "Gregg Williams" and try to hurt the Packers for the playoff with more injuries and for spite. Between not taking unnecessary injury risks and letting current injuries have more time to improve this is not a game for Jordan Love, Josh Jacobs, Zach Tom or Watson, Reed, Doubs.
It might be a good time to see what the Packers have in their practice squad o-linemen. : Tackles Brant Banks (6-7,306), Dalton Cooper (6-6,326),. Lecitus Smith (6-3,314) can play guard or center. Pierre Strong (5-11,207) could get a healthy dose of rushes.
This would be a good game for Matthew Golden and Savion Williams to stop being rookies and be given some "adult" NFL involvement. Show 'em some trust and let 'em show what they can be.
As long as whatever team the Packers put on the field Sunday doesn't turn the ball over, especially in their own territory, and the defense doesn't give up disastrous foolish plays (like Jordan Addison's 65 yd. run last Wednesday) even a B squad team could defeat the Queens.
The Packers have a whole week of prep available to set up for this one. Let's see how they use it.
Starrbrite
December 29, 2025 at 04:04 pm
I’m with CW and believe we beat the bears. I hope for the first time since the opening game, we play with fervor and zeal, and with revenge as extra motivation.
We seldom play inspired, but we will this time. Hafley will scheme something like last time. If our offense will carry the load in the red zone, we will win. It took a couple miracles for the bears last time.
We will prevail.
Go Packers!!!
Packerpasty
December 29, 2025 at 09:15 pm
And if they play the Eagles?? Eagles defense will eat them up….Eagles always peak at the end of the season…
Starrbrite
December 30, 2025 at 10:50 pm
Don’t disagree
Alberta_Packer
December 29, 2025 at 04:34 pm
I'm about as interested in watching this game as the Packers D in tackling Henry. A small blessing is that this is not a home game.
edckark
January 03, 2026 at 09:43 am
The Packers’ final game against the Vikings won’t affect playoff seeding, but it forces Matt LaFleur into a tough choice. Resting injured starters could help the team heal for the playoffs, while playing them risks more injuries and may still not stop a loss. Given the current three-game losing streak and multiple injuries, the smartest move is to prioritize health so Green Bay enters the playoffs as physically ready as possible, even if momentum takes a hit. https://null-brawl.org/