Chuck from Jackson, WI

Here it is, folks: NBC Sports just put out an online article by Mike Florio suggesting either cameras on each goalpost or a "ray" that would sense the ball's trajectory! Somebody's listening to us.

I remain eternally grateful to all the Insider Inbox readers who tweeted at me about the idea of "laser" goalposts. This column is an incubator for common sense and innovation.

Al from Green Bay, WI

Path to the Playoffs is always a good read. It's noteworthy that GB can jump from the sixth spot to at least the second with a win on Sunday, knocking the Bears off the hill. Of course, that could change weekly until the season ends. Wes, who is "your guy" this week as we look to smother Caleb Williams and Co.?

It's hard to believe it's already back. It's neck and neck in the NFC entering this final turn of the 2025 regular season and the Packers know what's at stake in this matchup with Chicago. I have Edgerrin Cooper checked off as my player to watch in this one. Hopefully, the Packers have Quay Walker available, too, but this matchup screams Cooper with his ability to pursue the QB and defend the run.

Jon from Willmar, MN

Thanks for the Path to the Playoffs. Exciting December games. Packers control their destiny! Besides the Bears' great running back tandem and defensive takeaways, anything else that stands out? Any matchups besides Micah Parsons and Williams to especially watch for?

The Packers' run defense against D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai is my biggest matchup to watch going into this one. Monangai showed up on the injury report with an ankle injury Wednesday, so that's something to monitor but that one-two punch powered Chicago's offense in Philly. The Bears also have an offensive line tailored to their running style. Green Bay must find an answer. Meanwhile, Jordan Love faces the 60-minute challenge of looking off Kevin Byard, who is one of the most underrated safeties of his era in my opinion. He's been electric for the Bears this year.

James from Chicago, IL

Probably an oversimplification, but it seems to me the best way to beat the Bears would be to not turn the ball over and keep their running game off the field. Oh, and cover Rome Odunze.

That's the other matchup to watch. The Packers need a good plan for Odunze. He's fallen off pace from his torrid start but remains a legit playmaker who can hurt a secondary in a hurry.

Jeff from Hickory, NC

Guys, the forecast is for temperatures to hit 20 degrees and start falling for Sunday's late game. By no means too cold, but it will be the coldest game facing us this season. It's a young team. Is there anything special going on this week to adjust to the colder weather? Go Pack!

The Packers know what they're facing. They practice it in to play in it. It just comes with the territory in the NFC North. Shoot, it's 17 outside as I write this, and it seems to be snowing every time I look out the window.

Jason from Boyle, MS

We have the talent to win these last games we have in front of us. Injuries have held us back. Do we get Jayden Reed back this weekend?

That's for the Packers to figure out and us to speculate on until 90 minutes before the game Sunday. Reed continues to practice. His return would be a major boon for this offense.

Jennifer from Middleton, WI

Hey Wes, hope you are getting your Vit C, elderberry and echinacea. I am surprised this week to see more picks favoring the Packers over the Bears. I expected more 50/50 takes. Do you think it's simply because Caleb is less tenured/trusted? I see strengths on both sides, with the Bears' intangibles of momentum, confidence and Ben Johnson's success at Lambeau being factors to overcome. I expect a tight game and a really fun battle where the smallest errors will swing the game.

I need more elderberry in my diet. I don't pay any attention to who is favored by whom, but maybe it's just the pundits taking time to warm up to the Bears. While Chicago has won nine of its last 10, all three losses were on the road. As we've discussed, Williams is only completing 58.1% of his passes this year. He's also fashioned a pedestrian 82.3 passer rating in seven road games.

Don from Boise, ID

So, what can you tell us about Jordon Riley? How does he play against the run? Can he get us some pressure up the middle?

The Packers clearly had him high on their rolodex to sign him to the 53-man roster this week, which guarantees his base salary for the next three games. He is a big, heavy-handed man at 6-foot-5, 338 pounds. I spoke with Colby Wooden about Riley in the locker room. The two have trained together the past two years in South Carolina. Wooden believes he'll be a great fit in not only the Packers' locker room but also this defense.

Doug from Neenah, WI

Good morning, Wes. Thanks for the enlightening article about Evan Williams. After watching some of the tackles he makes each week, don't you think he's the strongest player on the team pound for pound?

Call it strength. Call it grit. However you describe it, Williams has that magic "it" factor where you're confident he will make the play by any means necessary. For the umpteenth time, Williams reminds me so much of Micah Hyde and it's not just the number. He's smart, has good size for safety and puts all his being into his tackles.

John from Portland, OR

I noticed that we have been using six offensive linemen for quite a few snaps since Tucker Kraft was injured. Any chance ML has a play designed where the extra tackle leaks out for a short pass to get a first down or TD? Thanks for all your great coverage.

You never know. The Packers threw a deep ball to Christian Watson out of the six-OL alignment last week.

Mark from Bettendorf, IA

Not much talk about Rashan Gary. He seems to have disappeared, while early on he seemed to be taking advantage of Micah's double and triple teams. Do you think he is the key this weekend, and maybe the rest of the season? If he steps up, including against the run, this could keep this late-season run going.

November is over. It's a new month and Gary is going to be massive for the Packers down the stretch, especially with the uncertainty surrounding Lukas Van Ness' foot injury. Teams will be zeroing in on Parsons now more than ever. It's up to Gary and the rest of the defensive front to capitalize.

Troy from Menomonee Falls, WI

In reference to Bill from Menomonie, MI's question about deferring, someone compiled data on which team scored the most in each half in all games from 2005 to 2009. They found that on average the kicking team scored more points. Apparently, there is a way to opt to kick to begin both halves, but I don't see anyone testing this idea, even if the stats are still true.

Does that person have any information more recent than games played when "Boom Boom Pow" was topping the charts?

Gary from Chippewa Falls, WI

Will the Packers review old Lions footage to get a feel for what Ben Johnson did against the Packers?

I'm sure that's something Matt LaFleur and the coaches considered when game-planning for the NFC North before the season, but there's 12 games of film out there now of Johnson running this Chicago offense.

Josh from Seattle, WA

If we make Caleb Williams have to beat us with his arm, our defense should be able to force more negative plays then they will against Love. Don't expect a ton of pressure and sacks this week, but I loved how Hafley drew up some 7/8 man on the line looks last week and hope we keep seeing more of that on third down.

The Packers have had a lot of luck with those overloaded fronts that morph into simulated four-man pressures. We'll see what Chef Hafley cooks up for this one. He had two solid gameplans for Williams last year.

Shannon from Ovilla, TX

I love that Path to the Playoffs is back, although it makes me a bit sad another regular season is only a month from ending. Looking at the Detroit/Dallas game tonight I would suggest a Detroit win based on the rest of the schedule. Detroit still has the Rams and Bears while Dallas has a much easier final four games. Plus, a Dallas loss gives the Pack more breathing room based on the tie.

I will never question the master. Spoff knows the playoff chessboard better than anybody. I see the argument both ways. I get why it's advantageous for the Lions to take a sixth loss, but the Packers may need their help against the Los Angeles Rams and the Bears in the finale.

Robert from Verona, WI

Will you be rooting for the Lions or the Cowboys on TNF? According to NFL.com, a Cowboys loss drops them to a 6% chance of making the playoffs while a win raises them to a 31% chance. A Lions loss drops them to a 23% chance of making the playoffs while a win raises them to a 58% chance. If math is allowed in the mid-week chat, I'd say a Cowboys win might be best because it keeps both teams in a "longshot" scenario to make the playoffs, but I'd hate to see them gain more momentum.

There is one undisputed fact from Spoff's take on Dallas/Detroit – it is a toss-up with five weeks left on the schedule. Whiskey Old-Fashioned Sour or Whiskey Old-Fashioned Sweet. It's purely a question of taste.

Bob from Bement, IL

I appreciated Spoff's response "Welcome to the self-destructive world of major college sports" related to coach movement. While I pray that system starts fixing itself, media contracts not only have helped facilitate player compensation but created a Monopoly-money mindset with coach buyouts. The main ones getting rich are the dismissed coaches!

This is one man's opinion, but I've pretty much given up on watching college football. I look forward to watching the best of the best once they get to the NFL.

Bob from Rome, NY

Wes: I want your take on the hit Jaxson Dart of the NYG took on Monday. All I heard was Troy Aikman blabbering it was legal because he was still inbounds and the talking heads on TV saying he needs to learn to get out of bounds. It clearly looks like a hit to the head on the replay. Any fine? Anything? Thank you!

It was an extremely physical hit from Christian Elliss but also legal as he led with the shoulder. I appreciate Dart's grit trying to get to the sticks, but you must be cognizant of where the defender is.

Tae from Flushing, MI

I look forward to II – thank you, guys! Not a question, but a comment, if I may. I cannot unsee Ben Johnson's locker room show. The rage-yelling and ripping off his shirt. Not impressed. Please, Coach LaFleur, keep it classy. GO PACK GO!

Coaches just have to know their team and Johnson's message evidently resonated with the Bears. To each his own. The Packers can't worry about it. The end is inevitable. What matters is how you use those 60 minutes to tilt the outcome in your favor, and getting a win Sunday would set the table nicely for this challenging stretch.

Jordan from Osterdock, IA

Do you think Chicago's press box has a different food menu when the division rivals come to town?

I haven't bothered to ask anyone. I just make sure I eat a good breakfast or lunch before bussing to the stadium.

Tony from Eagan, MN

"Ten feet tall and strong as an ox." I appreciate the "Eastbound and Down" reference, thanks.

Ha. You were the only one.

Markus from Aurora, CO

Insiders, are we ready yet for Da Bears?

Based on what I've heard in the locker room this week, I believe the Packers will be. Mike McCarthy used to say his job was to not create questions for his locker room. Well, Johnson penned some serious bulletin-board material on the day he was hired. It's time to see if his team can back it up.

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