What is GB's motivation next week?

[rolldog]

From Green Bay's perspective, is there any incentive to beat Arizona or is there a potential for them not to play the starters the entire game since they will be traveling wild card weekend no matter what?

 

[noletime95]

Is it that big a deal to be the 5 seed instead of 6? I wonder why GB wouldn't take this opportunity to rest a few players. I especially wonder what GB will show since there is a decent chance it will be playing AZ again.

Thoughts?

 

[RainMan]

Two approaches, I think:

1) They rest everyone, preferring utmost to stay healthy.

2) They play, but keep things very close to the vest. They might play hard -- or might not -- but they'll attempt to keep momentum, but in a fashion in which requires them not showing their hand.

The scenario that can be dismissed, I think: Win at all costs.

 

[Silverstar]

Momentum

 

[gmb85]

Go Packers so we have a better shot at that number 2 seed!

 

[brewers47]

I just watched the McCarthy press conference, he seems to be in the mood of playing to win (who knows what will happen leading up to the game or what not).

Also said that when every team gameplans they have have enough gameplan to play a doubleheader so he wasn't concerned with showing the Cards too much

 

[Idgit]

I don't value momentum enough to tip my hand against a potential conference playoff opponent. What do GB's won/loss outcomes look like?

 

[Don Corleone]

5 versus 6 seed is huge. Lowest seed faces the more "quality" opponent (higher seed) through the playoffs. 6 seed also means that there is nil chance of hosting an NFC champ game at home.

Packers will come to play.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

Everyone wants to be playing well heading into the playoffs! I think GB should play their starters.

 

[theogt]

11 of the 15 games Arizona has played have been against losing teams.

And they have 10 wins.

 

[Idgit]

11 of the 15 games Arizona has played have been against losing teams.

And they have 10 wins.

Wow...

 

[DEZBRYANT x88x]

Pride?

Paycheck?

 

[AtlCB]

From Green Bay's perspective, is there any incentive to beat Arizona or is there a potential for them not to play the starters the entire game since they will be traveling wild card weekend no matter what?

If the Vikings lose next week, the Packers will face either Cowboys or Vikings if they lose. If the Packers win, they will face the Cardinals again. If I were the Packers, I would much rather face the Cards in the playoffs.

If the Vikings win, the Packers are locked into playing the Cards in the playoffs and will have little incentive to win.

 

[JBell]

11 of the 15 games Arizona has played have been against losing teams.

And they have 10 wins.

They've had an easy schedule for sure.

But they're also 3-1 against teams with winning records.

They're just as dangerous as they were last year.

 

[GOLDENCHILD1688]

5 versus 6 seed is huge. Lowest seed faces the more "quality" opponent (higher seed) through the playoffs. 6 seed also means that there is nil chance of hosting an NFC champ game at home.

Packers will come to play.

this.

 

[SilberBlau]

5 versus 6 seed is huge. Lowest seed faces the more "quality" opponent (higher seed) through the playoffs. 6 seed also means that there is nil chance of hosting an NFC champ game at home.

Packers will come to play.

was there ever a #5 team to host a playoff game? They either play us, Arizona or Minnesota. Not too much difference in terms of quality. I'd guess you don't want to play us but on the other hand they know that they already beat us earlier this year. They can't play the Vikings with a win, that might be their biggest incentive.

 

[DanteEXT]

Everyone wants to be playing well heading into the playoffs! I think GB should play their starters.

Except for the Colts.

 

[dbair1967]

11 of the 15 games Arizona has played have been against losing teams.

And they have 10 wins.

They did beat Minnesota and the Giants though, and they beat the Giants in NY. They should have beaten Tennessee on the road too. They also won vs Houston.

 

[JohnsKey19]

GB's motivation is having Rogers healthy for the following week. Rogers will be on the sidelines wearing a baseball cap winking at the cheerleaders midway thru the 3rd quarter. It's McCarthy's duty as an NFL coach to prepare his team this week DURING PRACTICE to win the upcoming game. How he decides to use his personnel on gameday is an entirely different matter. Arizona will win.

 

[Maikeru-sama]

Yes, there is a big difference between a 5 and 6 seed.

When you are a 6 Seed, you have absolutely no chance of playing at least 1 Playoff Game at home.

When you are the 5 Seed, if there are upsets, you could potentially host the NFCCG.

And as someone else stated, theoretically the lower your seed, the stiffer the competition is early.