GREEN BAY, Wis. — Matt LaFleur said he hasn't decided how he'll handle a regular-season finale that won't change the playoff picture, but Green Bay Packers On Sunday, the coach made it clear that there is no disagreement in his team regarding the defenders.
Malik Willisone of the few bright spots of Saturday 41-24 loss for Baltimore Ravenswill return to his backup role as the starting quarterback. Jordan Love clears concussion protocol. That could happen as soon as next weekend if LaFleur decides to play all of his starters in Week 18 against Minnesota Vikings.
“I want to take breaks from all this,” LaFleur said. “I think Jordan Love is playing a pretty high level of football, and it's great that we share the same opinion about Malik in his ability to get on the field. I think he's had two really outstanding games in a row. So we're in a good position with that position, of course we have a lot of confidence in both of those guys, but clearly Jordan is our quarterback and when he's healthy, he'll be our starter. So just want to get this all over with.”
Willis completed 18 of 21 passes for 288 yards and a touchdown and also rushed nine times for 60 yards and two touchdowns despite missing part of the fourth quarter to have his sore right shoulder checked. LaFleur said he expects Willis to be able to play against the Vikings if he decides to keep Love or if Love does not clear the concussion protocol. Love suffered a concussion in Week 16 against Bears.
Players were at Lambeau Field on Sunday for meetings, but LaFleur said Love did not undergo any additional tests. This will happen later this week.
The Packers finished seventh in the NFC and will be on track to make the playoffs, but the health of his team and how poorly the defense performed against Baltimore will allow Derrick Henry rushing for 216 yards while the Ravens have 307 yards as a team could also impact whether LaFleur plays all of his starts against the Vikings.
“What was probably the most disappointing thing after watching the tape was how many times we played with the wrong technique or the wrong position to play,” LaFleur said of the run defense.
It was only the second time since 1978 that the Packers allowed more than 300 yards rushing in a game.
Protection that no longer existed Micah Parsons (knee) and Devonte Wyatt (ankle) lost two more players to season-ending injuries against the Ravens. LaFleur said defensive tackle. Jordon Riley (Achilles) and protector Kamal Hadden (ankle) suffered a season-ending injury.
“Regardless of anything, whether you rest certain people, you're kind of limited, especially where we are right now with the number of injuries that have occurred,” LaFleur said. “The guys will have to play ball. They better approach it in a way that prepares their minds to play ball.”
