Packers Trending Wrong Direction in Season Finales
Christian Watson enters Sunday's Week 18 game against the Minnesota Vikings nine yards short of his career high in a season with 611 yards this season.
There was a time where one of the biggest locks of the season for the Green Bay Packers was winning in its final game of the season.
From 1994 to 2001 the Packers were 8-0 in Week 17 games. After losing the finale to the New York Jets in 2002, the Packers won the final game of the regular season from 2003 to 2014, which is another 12 in a row.
From 1994 to 2014, the Packers used the momentum in their end-of-season wins to advance to seven NFC Championship games (1995-97, 2007, 2010, 2014, 2016) and three Super Bowls.
The last few years of the Mike McCarthy era were not the best at the end of the year. Green Bay lost the NFC North title game matchup with the Minnesota Vikings in Week 17 of 2015 and then lost to the Lions in both 2017 and 2018 after being eliminated from playoff contention. The lone win in the last four seasons under McCarthy was winning in Detroit, which clinched the NFC North championship.
Since becoming the head coach in 2019, Matt LaFleur initially had success with wins over the Lions in 2019 and Bears in 2020 in Week 17 games. However, since the league went to 17 games and the finale has been played in Week 18, the Packers are just 1-3. The losses were to the Lions in both 2021 and 2022 and the Bears in 2024.
Will Matt LaFleur rest his most important/banged-up players for a meaningless game in Minnesota? He has a couple different similar experiences, and this year’s team, to base his decision on.
Story: https://t.co/32ojzNZ9PN pic.twitter.com/437OF5pvK1
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) December 29, 2025
In 2010, the NFL started scheduling division opponents for the final game of the season. This will be the Packers first trip to Minnesota since 2012, when they lost a 37-34 shootout, which cost the team a first round bye and a #2 seed in the NFC playoffs. Surprisingly it is the first time they’ve played the Vikings in the last game since the aforementioned 2015 game which was played at Lambeau Field.
Since 2010, the Packers are 0-2 in games against the Vikings, 4-1 against the Bears and 4-4 against the Lions.
Packers Final Games of Season since 2010
| Opponent | Wins | Losses |
| Chicago | 2010, 2013, 2020, 2023 | 2024 |
| Detroit | 2011, 2014, 2016, 2019 | 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022 |
| Minnesota | 2012, 2015 |
In the last five years, two of the three Week 18 losses were after Green Bay had wrapped up its playoff spot and sat starting quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers or Jordan Love for the majority of those games. It is likely that will be the case on Sunday as well.
Regardless if Jordan Love clears concussion protocol, LaFleur may elect to sit him another week and make sure he’s at full health going to the Wild Card playoff round. It would make sense to do the same with running back Josh Jacobs, who has been hobbled by a knee injury since mid October.
One of the bright spots in the past three games has been Christian Watson who had a season-best 113 yards in Saturday night’s loss to the Baltimore Ravens. His 100-yard game was the first since Tucker Kraft’s two 100-yard games earlier in the season.
Two positives
Malik is gonna get paid, trade/comp however it shakes out GB is going to get a nice return on investment.
Watson is an absolute star. If they can ever get him and Kraft on the field together… pic.twitter.com/iMpMX7h328
— Jacob Morley (@JacobMorley) December 28, 2025
Because of his injury history, and the flashbacks to his Week 18 knee injury a year ago, LaFleur may elect to also hold out Watson, even though he has a chance to break his career high in receiving yards in a season. His career high was 620 yards last season and his 611 yards is tied with his 2022 season.
If the Packers sit starters in Week 18, Christian Watson will finish 9 receiving yards and 1 TD catch short of his single-season career highs.
He came off a torn ACL that limited him to 10 games.
This is one of the best-possible outcomes for him individually. Great season.
— Jason B. Hirschhorn (@by_JBH) December 29, 2025
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Mitch McLaughlin is a Packers fan and shareholder residing in Sacramento, California. He will be writing Packers stories each week on Cheesehead TV. He can be found on Twitter: @McLaughlinMitch
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Comments (19)
Swisch
December 29, 2025 at 06:02 pm
Yes, it's a mess.
There's nothing wrong with a tactical retreat to rest, recover, re-orient, and generally regroup.
The challenge for LaFleur is to rally the morale of the troops, and to get them to focus on doing their jobs without mistakes.
The Vikings game this week mostly matters as far as how it will best prepare the Packers for the first playoff game.
If we win that first playoff game, all of the negativity of three or four straight losses to end the regular season will seem far in the past.
SicSemperTyrannis
December 31, 2025 at 03:28 pm
More important is to develop backup players IMHO. In other words, treat it like a playoff game. Assuming the team can at least try the following week.
Alberta_Packer
December 29, 2025 at 06:06 pm
A good way to end a negative trend - is to start a positive one.. Although much easier said than done.
Since'75
December 29, 2025 at 08:48 pm
I'll be positive. 😉
".......however it shakes out GB is going to get a nice return on investment."
I'm not sure receiving a comp pick is the Holy Grail he makes it out to be, especially if Willis ends up winning something in this league.
Nice return? What if that pick is a dud?
*********
How about this......
Can we get a nice return on investment from ...the team.
So far since Rodgers, the Packers are 1-2 in the playoffs.
For all the investments...1st round picks, high priced free agents, etc.
It seems like something is missing from years gone by...WINNING.
Or at least, the expectation of winning.
7 seeds in the playoffs
2nd, 3rd's in the NFC North.
If we came in 2nd or 3rd in years past, the shit always hit the fan.
Give me an R.O.I. with the team and all the draft resources and all that free agent money spent.
The back up QB (that we will lose) is the last thing on my mind as a Packer fan.
*********
I also think the Packers should sit important players, there isn't much to gain in the game.
One could argue that a win is important and i agree, but if we lose anymore good players.......
Now as far as Love playing.
The only reason i see to play him, is that he needs to rub off the rust, otherwise his first game back is in the playoffs.
So, not to sure about that.
LeotisHarris
December 29, 2025 at 09:56 pm
Which team in the NFC is trending in the right direction? I'm watching the mighty Rams struggle with the hapless Falcons as MVP candidate Matt Stafford continues to shoot himself in the foot. Elite nepo-baby HC Sean McVay seems to have an unprepared team in an important nationally televised game.
Last night, recycled DC Robert Salah allowed his D to give up 38 points in a game the 49ers were lucky to win. How can Kyle the Genius continue to hire low-quality, failed coordinators (his friends) and not have them face consequences? Was Salah fired today? No! Has John Lynch faced any consequences for the Trey Lance fiasco? No! Where is the accountability in that Super Bowl trophyless regime?
This Packers team is as messed up as any playoff team. Yet. here we are, in a place where last year's shiny new objects, the dynasties in Minnesota and Detroit, are staying home. Let a short-lived Clayton Tune Era begin on Sunday. Allow Minnesota fans some joy. After all, they can only bask in the glow of the Gophers Rate Bowl victory of so long.
Why not us? GPG
One other thing. The Bears, 49ers, Rams, and Falcons *all* tackle well. What's with us on that? Huh?
Bitternotsour
December 29, 2025 at 11:27 pm
well, i guess we can put you firmly on the accepts less than perfect list.
Bitternotsour
December 29, 2025 at 11:31 pm
also, when Sam Darnold turns back into Sam Darnold in the first quarter of his post-bye playoff game, we can go full circle with the NFC.
Packerpasty
December 30, 2025 at 10:05 am
Atlanta has a much better defense than the current Packers team for one thing...they actually can sack the QB and hold on to interceptions...
Since'61
December 29, 2025 at 10:24 pm
As I posted on another thread I would let the Packers injured players rest for this week's game. However, if Love is cleared to play I believe that he should play at least the first half against the Vikings. He needs to have some live action and shake off the rust before the first playoff game.
I would also play Watson and give him the opportunity to establish his best record season. All he needs is one 10 yard reception to achieve his best yardage record for a season. I also feel that all of the healthy defensive starters should play the first half and maybe the entire game in order to build some confidence back in themselves and their ability to stop an opponent.
Another factor is that MLF needs to send the message to the team that going 0-4 to end the season is unacceptable. I understand that this is a meaningless game but winning even a meaningless game, especially after the last 3 losses, can have a positive impact on the team as they go into the playoffs. GPG!
Thanks, Since '61
Tundraboy
December 29, 2025 at 11:32 pm
Sage advice Since 61, yet somehow I fear MLF will not follow any of it. And I don't want to hear much of the horn this week.
Since'61
December 30, 2025 at 11:47 am
Tundraboy I hate that stupid horn! Thanks, Since '61
Tundraboy
December 30, 2025 at 02:23 pm
I know goes with the team!
SicSemperTyrannis
December 31, 2025 at 03:36 pm
Skoal? Here's hoping they'll use that horn as a spitoon
jannesbjornson
December 30, 2025 at 11:22 am
No doubt, play to Win.
SicSemperTyrannis
December 31, 2025 at 03:35 pm
Juggling all these pieces = "Rubik's cube of death" - Andy Herman. Possibly the best line I've heard describing this situation. I'm just trying not to despair ...
Snap the ball
December 30, 2025 at 01:22 am
We PLAY better in the road anyway
Less distractions.
Light night home games late in the season I don’t like. Players sit around to much. On the road less distractions….
I figure win. The wild card game by 4 points
The divisional game out west , win out west and stay out west and play Rams I. NFC championship game
Fly home for a week and fly back out west for the Super Bowl.
Snap the ball
December 30, 2025 at 01:23 am
Play better on the road.
GreenandBold
December 31, 2025 at 06:29 am
Let it be
Let it be
Let it be Let it be
There will be an answer
Let it be
Happy New Year Everybody !
SicSemperTyrannis
December 31, 2025 at 03:39 pm
We could use some of Mother Mary about now ... Willis with the hail Mary?