Markus from Aurora, CO

Insiders, while I cherish the divisional matchups, I'm not looking forward to the ensuing gauntlet. Then again, a good team will flourish when adversity strikes. We shall see what's ahead.

Indubitably.

Aaron from Madison, WI

Have you read the Inbox after it publishes? The ad breaks make no sense and are very distracting. Often the commenter's name is separate from the question or the question from the answer. Can you standardize these? It just feels like no care was put into the design.

The platform automatically places ads after each set of so many paragraphs. It's out of our control. The format of this column makes the awkwardness inevitable.

Jeff from Champlin, MN

Seen 55 years' worth of Packers football with the last 35 watching from Vikingland. This next game could easily be the most difficult for the Packers to win. This is a desperate, talented and well-coached Viking squad that is likely tired of the beating the media and some bandwagon fans are bestowing upon them. Packers need to be ready for a knockdown, drag-out street fight.

I couldn't agree more. For all the discussion about J.J. McCarthy's erratic play and growing pains, he's chalked up wins at Soldier Field and Ford Field. Now he's coming to Lambeau Field. Expect his and the Vikings' very best.

Jim from Pewaukee, WI

Robert alarmed me with his cyphering (not math) about J.J.'s interception frequency. My worst fear is that McCarthy comes out on Sunday playing like he's a sixth-round pick out of Michigan. I know it's unlikely. That stuff only happens about every quarter century.

The Packers can't let him gain confidence and find a groove. The crowd can have a decided impact on this game. The Vikings have committed 14 false starts the last two games, both at home. Bring the noise and see what happens.

Jeff from Foothill Ranch, CA

Mike, your response to Matt about the lack of two-shell MN plays actually concerns me. We've heard MLF say previously defenses weren't playing what they were expecting early on and we were slow to react. If GB expects MN to play like they usually do, we're in trouble if they play shell. I have a feeling this chess match is more about game prep than the game itself.

I hear where you're coming from, but teams going off-profile is a tougher adjustment for a non-division opponent, I believe. Division foes play each other so often they can prep for all the different looks and aren't necessarily surprised by much. What's interesting to me about this matchup, which I pointed out on "Unscripted" (yes, we were back with our Thursday episode; apologies for having to cancel Tuesday's), is late last season the Packers' passing game was really struggling vs. man coverage, and Flores' unit (as well as Philly's in the playoffs) really clamped down. Whereas now the Packers would almost rather see man, but defenses haven't gone to it as much because the running game hasn't been as big a threat.

Tom from Two Rivers, WI

Since every team is different, can you please give us your game-tailored things the Pack must do to beat the Vikings on Sunday?

Communicate up front to protect the QB (and the ball) from this aggressive defense, keep a lid on the big plays, and catch the ball if McCarthy throws it to you.

Terry from Cary, IL

I have always been a Harrison Smith fan and earlier in his career would have liked to see him on the Packers. Is he a real potential HOFer?

I think he'll be seriously discussed when the time comes, but he's not a slam dunk with only two All-Pro selections (one first team, one second). That's not normally enough. But he's got longevity and durability on his side. He's in his 14th year and has played over 200 games now, and that will count for a lot. He's also just three interceptions away from having 40 picks and 20 sacks, accomplished by only two others – Ronde Barber and Charles Woodson, both in the Hall. The difference is Barber had five All-Pro selections and Woodson seven.

Stan from Pensacola, FL

A lot of discussion about Pack's run D being up and down. If the O gets it together and lives up to potential then teams don't run as much and there will be more opportunities for picks. Not that far-fetched, hang onto the pass, move the chains and run D will improve immensely. Sounds easy.

You're right, it does sound easy, but it is indeed predicated on the offense building a lead to unleash everything this defense can throw at somebody. Hafley talked about this at length Thursday. In their last five games, the only time the Packers have led by multiple scores was in the fourth quarter at Pittsburgh.

Butch from Donna, TX

I'm hoping Aaron can own the Bears one more time.

That would be nice. And helpful.

Jeff from Monticello, WI

Hello II, do you think a team will take a chance and sign Malik Willis as their starting QB?

I think a team will offer him a chance to compete for a starting job in 2026.

Harold from Eau Claire, WI

I just watched the Grey Cup highlights; it looked like a fun game. Anyway, that running head start the wide receivers are allowed to do? That might be a fun twist in the NFL, maybe.

I've always thought of the receivers' head start in the CFL as the trade-off to only getting three downs to gain 10 yards.

Jesse from Colorado Springs, CO

I think Carrington Valentine has been playing well but also just seems like such an amazing locker room guy. His energy is unmatched. Seems like a guy we are lucky to have in my opinion.

He hasn't spoken much with the media this season, but in the offseason he gave a couple very insightful interviews and sounded so much older and more self-assured than previously. He's also still got a lot of youth in him, too, in a good way.

Greg from Perkasie, PA

Mike's response to the missed TFL by Edgerrin Cooper raised an interesting point in regard to coaching points of emphasis vs. situational awareness during a game. I know it has been reported that defensive coaches have emphasized trying to punch the ball out when there's an opportunity to do so, but in Cooper's case, it probably would have been a wiser move to just make a sure tackle and get the ball back to the offense via punt. Must be hard to process all of that in seconds at game speed, though.

I'm sure it is. I know fans get tired of hearing "learn from it and move on," but that's really all anyone can do.

Nathan from New York, NY

Hi Mike and Wes! I read on the internet that the nine lead changes in the Bills-Bucs game tied for the second most in NFL history. The most is 11, which occurred in "The Matt Flynn game" in the 2011 regular-season finale. Do you guys know which other game had nine lead changes? I couldn't find it anywhere online.

The NFL's research notes from last week didn't have it either. Buffalo's 44-32 final over Tampa Bay was a scorigami, though. It was the fourth one in the league this year and second involving the Bills.

Tucker from Belton, TX

I watched the Aggies come back from being down 30-3 at the half to winning 31-30 last weekend. Mike Elko revealed at halftime everybody was calm, no rah-rah speeches, just a reminder that they were the better team and get back in it one play at a time. With all the clamoring for more fire from Love and LaFleur, I think authenticity always wins the day. You have to be who you are. Love's ability to remain calm no matter what is his superpower.

It has served him incredibly well.

Carl from Sheboygan, WI

Hi guys, I know you've said it before, but when I see No. 33 out there playing ball, I can't tell if it's Evan Williams or Micah Hyde. The play style, the effort, the performance, and the results are so similar. I know Micah Parsons is a great player, and there are other impact players on the defense as well, but I think it's No. 33's performance that really energizes the entire defense. Thoughts?

I wouldn't shine the spotlight so narrowly. What makes this Packers' defense work in my mind is the energizing play that can come from all levels at different times. There's always Parsons up front, but when Quay Walker and Cooper are flying around at the linebacker level, or Keisean Nixon/Valentine/Javon Bullard making tough tackles on the perimeter, or Xavier McKinney/Williams attacking from the back end … there are various sources. But the defense needs to start seeing the Gary from earlier this season, and getting Lukas Van Ness back could potentially bring another source of that energy.

Peder from Sevastopol, WI

Part of Spoffocles' response to Tim from Aliso Viejo, CA, was they need to get more a impactful pass rush from somebody other than Micah Parsons. Do you think this ties to Lukas Van Ness's injury? Just seems like that is when the pass rush sort of went on hiatus.

Not entirely or even primarily, though I do believe LVN can provide a boost. I think it's been more about the opponents' style of passing game, success with the running game, down-and-distance situations … they all factor in. Fewer opportunities for pass-rush impact makes it harder on a defense, but the Packers have to make their limited chances count.

Ethan from Milwaukee, WI

Seeing the injury reports the last few weeks, it seems like our receiving corps has collectively had many "limited participants" for a lot of our practices. Can you give color as to what their preparation looks like on those days? And do you think being out of practice rhythm has anything to do with the uptick in drops the last two weeks?

It's certainly possible, but only the players and coaches really know, and they aren't going to make excuses anyway. Every team deals with it. "Limited participant" is as vague as it sounds. It can mean a player did only individual drills and no 11-on-11, or some 11-on-11 but not as much as a normal practice, or a couple select drills but nothing else. Your guess is as good as mine.

Doug from Woodington, OH

Good morning, Mike. The offensive line has seen a lot of rotation this season. What's the most underrated part of maintaining continuity up front, and which lineman has exceeded expectations the most?

The most underrated part is referenced above, being able to practice, fully, together, every day and every week. That can be hard to come by. As far as exceeding expectations, I've got to hand it to Sean Rhyan. He's been asked to play both guard spots, part-time and/or full-time, and now he's switched to center out of necessity. If he holds it down the rest of the way he could be playing himself into a second contract in Green Bay. I'll also give a shout-out to Zach Tom, who has fought through a tough injury situation for the second straight year and, to his credit, isn't talked about much.

Derek from South Point, OH

I teach high school, and one of our students is a huge Colts fan. He argued Jonathan Taylor deserves the MVP. I tried telling him whether or not this is true, it's a QB award. I owe him pizza if I'm wrong. I don't feel there's a clear winner at this stage. Who is on your current short list?

Josh Allen for sure, and you can't ignore what Drake Maye and Matthew Stafford are doing. I think Taylor absolutely deserves consideration, but as you said, it's a QB award, and since 2005-06, when Shaun Alexander and LaDainian Tomlinson won it back-to-back, only one non-QB has won it (Minnesota RB Adrian Peterson in 2012). Taylor is more likely to win the Offensive Player of the Year award, as Saquon Barkley and Christian McCaffrey did the last two seasons.

TK from Grafton, WI

Recently re-watched the 1979 game against New England from Monday Night Football. Big upset win was joyous! So many things I noticed vs. the modern product: No info overload on the screen, no visible first-down line, most offensive linemen used right-handed stance even on the left side, almost 100% base personnel (no 3 WRs, no nickel D), Bart Starr not wearing a headset … good times, great memories!

I was thinking the other day about how big a deal MNF was when I was a kid. It was a huge television event as the only NFL game each week in primetime, and Howard Cosell made sure the game had an aura. Now there's Sunday nights, Monday nights, Thursday nights, Saturday nights in December … it's just another game.

Matt from San Luis Obispo, CA

It was mentioned in the Wednesday chat that defensive players could counter offensive players pushing the pile by going in low and pulling the pile down on top of them. That is precisely what players started doing in rugby to stop mauls (not malls), and the ruling body outlawed it, because it was too dangerous. Mike's face gets bluer.

On the bottom of that pile it would turn all kinds of colors, I'm afraid.

Dave from Germantown, TN

I agree the Packers need to improve last year's record against our divisional foes. However, are the fans losing site of the other two games: Baltimore and Denver? Baltimore will be better than their record if Lamar Jackson plays and we have to play the red-hot Broncos at Mile-High altitude. If we lose a divisional game in the next three weeks will these games become must-win?

C'mon, Dave. You know better. I'm not even going to say it.

Larry from Monroe, WI

What part of the season do you love the most?

This part. It's prove-who-you-are time. Happy Friday.

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