Smith doesn't believe rest equals rust
In 2005 the Bears rested some starters in the regular-season finale and lost to the Vikings 34-10 and then, after enjoying a bye, lost their first playoff game 29-21 to the Panthers at Soldier Field.
In 2006, the Bears had also clinched the playoffs. They rested some starters and lost their regular-season finale 26-7 to the Packers. They struggled in their playoff opener but defeated the Seahawks 27-24 in overtime at Soldier Field and went on to Super Bowl XLI.
With the Bears able to clinch the No. 2 seed if Philadelphia loses to Minnesota tonight, coach Lovie Smith was asked if he would use that experience to change anything this time around.
“I think we kept the pedal down then,” Smith said. “In '05 we lost. In '06 we went through the same schedule, and we won. Either way, you can get the job done. I think the '06 team was better, and that's why we won. I think it still comes down to that.
“I don't think if guys get 20 less plays in a game, that they stop playing good football. We're in a position where, if we didn't play our guys in an entire game, I don't think that has a whole lot to do with what would happen on that next week.”
Some players, like Matt Forte (978 rushing yards) and Johnny Knox (960 receiving yards) are close to statistical milestones. Forte, for one, wants to be on the field Sunday at Lambeau Field against the Packers.
“I want to play because I've got 20-some yards to get 1,000,” Forte said. “I want to get that. I think the guys will want to play, just because it's against the Packers.”
{Defending their house }
Knowing they will have at least one home playoff game made coach Lovie Smith stress to his team the importance of improving their lackluster 4-3 record at Soldier Field heading into Sunday's game vs. the Jets.
“Lovie made that clear in the meeting before the game,” safety Chris Harris said. “(He said), ‘Guys, you've done everything I've asked for you to do. You're 6-1 on the road, you're winning, but we're only 4-3 at home.'
“He made that point that we need to learn how to win at home because we're definitely going to be hosting a game here.”