Eric from Ankeny, IA

Is there a proctologist in the house? The throat wasn't the only place the Ravens shoved the football.

OK, I cracked a smile.

Rob from Kenosha, WI

Please refresh my memory, you want to be playing your best football entering the playoffs, do I have that right?

Ideally, but for the second year in a row that's out the window. Grasping at straws for a silver lining … unlike last year, there's a chance to reset this year due to the circumstances. But that's all I got.

Ken from Arvada, CO

The sad thing is, this team is better than what they've shown the last three weeks.

I agree. They were beating the AFC's top seed 23-14 on the road early in the third quarter. With a backup QB, they were beating the NFC's No. 2 seed 16-6 on the road with five minutes left. But none of that matters now. The regular season is effectively over and it's put up or shut up time in two weeks.

Andrew from Saddle Brook, NJ

As quickly as Dan from San Fran got in a good mood by being convinced that the team was not overmatched and had not been blown out in any game, we quickly got overmatched and blown out. Both lines were dominated throughout the game. Gaining 20 rushing yards (not counting Malik Willis) and giving up over 300 on defense is the definition of a beatdown.

No argument. Offensively, there was no such thing as a game plan once it became clear the Packers would have to score a boatload of points to have even a chance, and the Ravens were going to make Willis beat them. That realization hit pretty early in the second quarter. Defensively, it's hard to process how a group that seemingly responded well to the loss of Parsons, allowing zero touchdowns and just nine points through 58 minutes to the NFC North champs, could come out a week later and play like that. They got steamrolled, plain and simple. No answers, despite trying different fronts and players. So which sans-Micah Parsons defense is the real one? The first game without him or the second? We'll find out in either Chicago or Philly.

Jack from Aiken, SC

Earlier this season, I asked a question about the "toughness" of this team. It wasn't answered and the standard response was to all questions was it's too early to address. This team was manhandled on the national stage and will inspire no fear from any playoff opponent. One and done seems the likely scenario.

I asked last Monday in this very space how much adversity one team can take, and how much is too much. Prescient questions, as it turned out. Losing Parsons one week and then collapsing at crunch time in Chicago the next was, obviously, too much for Green Bay's defense to overcome. It got knocked down in the final minutes at Soldier Field and didn't get back up. The question now is whether that's what comes to define this unit, or if it's going to do anything to change the perception.

Rob from Antioch, IL

After this last debacle, do the Packers need to reconsider how we draft for next season? It seemed like our smallish defensive line cannot hold up to that style of play. Granted, not every game features a Henry-style runner. But honestly any back could have hit those holes as they were gaping. They set those edges way too easily and basically opened holes at will. Some of our linemen looked bewildered and reluctant to tackle Henry. Could we not benefit from drafting some defensive size?

I'm sure that'll be on the personnel department's radar, because even before injuries hit, the run defense had been up and down much of the season. Pittsburgh raised concerns, Carolina took advantage, then recovery against Philly and Detroit, more questions from the first Chicago matchup, now this. The lack of response to getting punched in the mouth early in the game is the most concerning. But run defense isn't about one or two players. It's such a collective effort. The defense had one good series against Henry, on Baltimore's first drive of the third quarter. He gained 1, 4, 1 and minus-5 on four carries. Four runs for one net yard. He had 215 on his other 32 attempts, including two backbreakers when they handed off to him on third-and-5 for conversions. When the opponent is comfortable running the ball on third-and-5, it doesn't just own the line of scrimmage. It owns the whole box.

Jeffery from Monticello, WI

Hello II, Malik Willis just played himself into a new team next season. Now can they please sit all the starters to rest?

Well, you don't have a 90-man roster like in the preseason, so somebody's gotta play. But yeah, getting this team as healthy as possible for the wild-card round is the top priority in my mind, hands down, losing streak be damned.

John from Yorba Linda, CA

Are we out of jars? Mercy.

It's gotten pretty absurd, right?

Bill from Forest Park, OH

Feeling very deflated after that game. I've tried my best not to have expectations this season, but that really was a letdown. Hard to see this team getting past the wild-card round of the playoffs after the last three games. That said, kudos to Malik Willis for a stellar performance!

I don't want to repeat everything I wrote about Willis in my Rapid Reaction piece, so I'm just going to direct everyone there for my thoughts about him. I said plenty. As for deflation, letdown, etc., it's all understandable and I don't blame a soul for feeling that way. The opportunity for a strong, favorable playoff position has been squandered, and quickly. The season is not where anyone thought it would be after starting 2-0 and recovering from a midseason slump to get to 9-3-1. The real crapshoot begins soon enough, and all that's left is to see what the Packers can do with their chip and chair.

David from De Pere, WI

MLF has said that Jordan Love will be the starting QB when he is healthy and there is no QB controversy. I agree with that sentiment. However, Malik looked very good on Saturday night. Outside of JL's huge salary, I don't think the thought of a QB controversy is as absurd as you would have thought two weeks ago.

I haven't given it any thought. Love is this team's franchise QB and he was in the top five as an MVP candidate when he took the helmet hit. Those thinking the Packers should give the keys to Willis and move on from Love have zero tolerance for any imperfections in Love's game due to his salary. Willis is a great backup, and an effective change-up whom defenses have difficulty reacting to and preparing for on short notice. Whether Willis' game can stand up to the scrutiny of defensive coordinators scheming to take away his strengths every week for four months is the great unknown. He won't simply be handed a starting job by any team in the offseason for that very reason. That's not a criticism, that's just reality.

Joe from Liberty Township, OH

As much as I dislike the 17th game and the dilution of the playoffs with the seventh playoff team, without that seventh seed the Packers would be at four years and counting without making the playoffs.

All true, and honestly for me, this season and where it currently stands is more about the three games the Packers had no business losing – Cleveland, Carolina and last week – than what happened against the Ravens. Some nights you just don't have it, and the other team's got your number. It sucks but it happens. The bigger failure is the Packers erasing their own margin for error in the playoff picture by just giving away three wins in inexcusable fashion, with brutal miscues, breakdowns, decisions and everything else. You get maybe one of those a year, but three in one season is what has sunk the Packers to the bottom of the playoff totem pole.

Steve from Phoenix, AZ

Early in the season, we look forward to player and team development that leaves our team peaking late. I believe our Week 1 team was perhaps the best in the NFL, a shutdown corner away from complete. Alas, now absent a field-tilting tight end and pass rusher along with foundational players on both lines, the ceiling has descended. I say rest 'em all and let's see what THIS team can do in the playoffs. I'm not counting them out.

I always say a team never stays the same during the course of a season, and as you note the Packers have a very different one now compared to four months ago. The current version is the squad tasked with giving us something we'd like to remember.

Wesley from Woodbury, MN

Moving on because that is all we can do … has any team lost four games in a row directly preceding the playoffs and gone on to win the Super Bowl?

The team that always comes to mind for me at times like these is the 2008 Arizona Cardinals. They lost four of five games from Thanksgiving to Christmas, with the fourth loss a 47-7 shellacking to a backup QB in New England. But then they won their regular-season finale and wound up in the Super Bowl, a Santonio Holmes toe-tap away from a championship.

Gary from Cross Plains, WI

If Mike is researching last time the No. 1 didn't make the playoffs the following year, realize that both No. 1s last year are out. Not only that, look at how many 12-plus game winners last year are out (three NFC and one AFC, and Baltimore could join KC on the sidelines). Hard to win consistently every year indeed. Glad we have the brain trust that looks at more than just the current season when figuring out which jars to put on the shelf.

After studying up, the reigning No. 1 seed bowing out has happened way more than I thought. Dating back to the start of six seeds in each conference in 1990, both No. 1 seeds have failed to make the playoffs the following year six times, including this year (also GB & TEN in '22, DEN & CAR in '16, TEN & NYG in '09, NE & DAL in '08, TEN & NYG in '01). A single No. 1 seed has failed to make the postseason the next year 14 other times, led by SF thrice ('24, '20, '91) and KC twice ('98, '96).

Add to that the other craziness from this year, like the handful of 12-game winners mentioned from last year not making it, plus Houston starting 0-3 and getting in, Indy starting 7-1 and getting eliminated with two games left, New England and Chicago combining for nine wins last year and both winning division titles this year, Tampa Bay starting 6-2 then going 1-7 and now having a chance to win a division with an 8-9 overall record … it's just been wild.

Tom from Springfield, MO

I've been pretty grouchy this season dwelling on injuries and how we haven't always lived up to our full potential. But it struck me today – Bears haven't been to the playoffs for five years, Lions/Vikings miss out this year after combining for 29 wins last year, and Chiefs miss the playoffs. Made me appreciate being in for the third straight season that much more. At the end of the day (season), you just want to have a chance to win it all and we get that chance again.

The Bears haven't been for seven years, but who's counting.

Joe from Bozeman, MT

So Austin Booker was fined $5K apiece for the two roughing penalties. He is appealing the second one claiming Love lowered his head at the last minute. I say it doesn't matter because Booker was leading with his helmet which is against the rules. I sure hope the rivalry doesn't deteriorate into the Gregg/Ditka years. It sure looked like Bears players were deliberately trying to injure Packer players especially with all the roughing penalties.

No fine for Brisker's forearm shiver or Sweat's full-body-weight sack. The league only kinda sorta cares.

Carey from Egg Harbor, WI

After suffering an ACL tear, what is a realistic timeframe for Micah Parsons to be back on the field next season? Knowing he will need surgery, rest, and physical therapy, is it really possible that Micah will be back at the beginning of next season, as some reports have stated? It appears some reporters are being too aggressive with a timeline. What timeline is possible, knowing the status of his injury?

We have no way of knowing. Parsons has indicated via social media he's aiming to be ready in early-to-mid September. I wouldn't put anything past him, and that certainly is aggressive, but the process isn't entirely within his control. This past year, Christian Watson had ACL surgery in mid-January and played in late October. It sounds like Parsons is having his surgery about two weeks sooner on the calendar than Watson. Beyond that, I'm not going to speculate.

Judy from Brodhead, WI

What a great inside look and tribute to Dr. McKenzie, Mike! The Packers were surely blessed to have a man of his integrity and skill on their team. In the midst of a potential injury it was always comforting to see him tend to a player with his calm manner and expertise. It was evident that the players and coaches trusted him, and so did the fans. We knew he was the best! Thank you, Dr. McKenzie and best wishes in your retirement.

A top-notch physician and 10 times the gentleman.

Dan from Oconomowoc, WI

Mike, being a Packer fan for 60 years has taught me to roll with the punches. I've seen the good, bad and ugly and I will always remember that our team is more historic, iconic, and decorated than most teams in any sport can imagine. Because of this, I'm also realistic, (I think), and our postseason chances look bleak. "Just get in and see what happens," you like to say, and I agree. I'm just not looking forward to what I believe will happen. I guess I'll watch and see. GPG.

It still beats the alternative.

Derek from South Point, OH

My how the turntables. November gave high hopes. Our December friend has brought us crushing defeats and devastating injuries. This season has been a memorable one, if not always for good reasons. Here's hoping the team has better fortune as the calendar turns to January.

No other way to look at it. Happy Monday.

HAVE A QUESTION?