I assume this is a joke. The Bears and the Eagles are still having to play for seeding no matter how you slice it. And seeding is important. No players are going to be benched for this game on either side no matter how the early games go, I am certain of that. C'mon already. I'm really getting tired of ppl talking about "resting players". Are the Eagles going to rest players as well?
You have to play like you think you are going to win in the playoffs. If they lose to Philly, they have to play in Philly in the NFC Championship if somehow both win against Seattle/NO or Carolina. That is a big enough incentive to not get your team out of sync and thus miss the playoffs completely. The #1 and #2 seeds are set. Seattle (with a remote chance of SF) and most likely the winner of the NO/Carolina game. No other teams have a chance at the byes.
Also, Cutler has played one game now since coming back, pretty sure you want him sharp in the playoffs. The Bears offense looks good enough to play with anyone, so getting the 3 seed could be huge if they continue to play well. I think getting Cutler sharp and getting the 3 seed is important enough and way outweighs getting rest for the week 17. Getting rest for week 17 makes the ultimate goal getting into the playoffs. The Bears ultimate goal is winning the Super Bowl and resting starters in week 16 goes against that goal. No Bears fan cares about just getting in, they want to host the NFC Championship game at Soldier Field.
Won't happen, CHI sits everyone in week 16. Then they get beat in week 17. Then Trestman gets run out of town because "his guys weren't sharp."
Think like a coach and not like a fan.