Bill from Forest Park, OH

Oh no, not the Viking horn AND Hell's Bells!

I asked for it, I guess.

Reid from Woodbury, MN

Hey guys, just wanted to thank you for taking the time for a quick selfie in the stairwell after the game. As promised, I sent to my dad (Doug from River Falls) and he was ecstatic! Definitely the highlight of my day after that tough game. Onward!

That was a new one, but I don't argue with serendipity.

Eric from Keene, NH

Mike, I listened to the radio broadcast so I didn't follow the live blog. I did scroll through it after the game, though, just to get your perspective. I would say that you and Clayton Tune both took one for the team, each in your own way. For what it's worth, it did not go unappreciated here.

I don't know what people were expecting. I honestly don't. That game played out pretty much how I thought, aside from assuming the Vikings would score more than one touchdown against backups.

Pete from Music City, TN

Do you start Trevon Diggs vs the Bears? I thought he looked pretty good against Minnesota, all things considered.

It certainly caught my ear that LaFleur didn't rule out starting Diggs next week when he was asked that specifically after the game.

Brian from Urbana, IL

On to Chicago!

Feels like we were just there. Oh wait …

Mick from UK

Fill up the gas and dig out the sunglasses, we're going to Chicago. Hit it.

We're on a mission from … well, somebody.

John from Portland, OR

I think playing Saturday night is a good break for us. We rested starters and the Bears did not, and if Gardner-Johnson is in the concussion protocol it gives him one less day. Do you see any downsides of playing on a short week? Thanks for all your great coverage.

I agree it might work to Green Bay's advantage. All the guys who rested will be ready to hit the practice field a day earlier than normal, on Tuesday, if LaFleur wants to go that route. The Bears won't be.

Patrick from Chicago, IL

How many times has the winner of the division had a 2-4 record in the division?

I don't know, but Wes mentioned that exact factoid to me as soon as the plane landed.

Sharon from Lakewood Ranch, FL

So is a rested, recouped Packer team ready to take on a team that had to play to the whistle in their last two games only to lose? Bring on da Bears? Go Pack Go!

It's truly remarkable how many down-to-the-wire games the Bears have played this season. I believe 11 of their 17 games were decided in the final minute or so, and several on the last play.

Don from Boise, ID

So, only two of the seven NFC playoff teams won their games this weekend. Granted Green Bay and Philadelphia were resting starters, but still, what does that say about the caliber of the field? Regardless, I am glad the Pack gets to take on the Bears again and right the wrong of two weeks ago. GPG.

I distinctly remember while walking to the bus trying to process how I was going to write about the chaos I had just witnessed, the thought hit me pretty quickly I might be back there again very soon.

CJ from Marion, IA

I hope they rest Daniel Whelan this week. Geez.

He earned another game off as far as I'm concerned. No objections.

Brian from Dunkirk, WI

We sent the Cubs home last year. Let's end the Bears' season this year.

Also no objections.

Randall from Grand Junction, CO

Mike, I don't have Prime. Unbelievable! About done with NFL.

The backlash the league will take for putting Packers-Bears on Prime Video will be significant. But it obviously doesn't care or it wouldn't have done it.

Frank from Wake Forest, NC

OK, that was disappointing, all the way around, but here is something to hang our hats on. There have been three previous teams to go to the playoffs after finishing the season losing four straight games. ACTMR WCBW, BIDI (but I doubt it) the 1986 NY Jets won their first-round game and lost the next round. In 1999, the Lions lost to Washington in the WC round, and in 2024 the Steelers lost to the Ravens in the WC. Just thought you would find this interesting.

Appreciate the legwork, but I'm not losing any sleep over this. As I've said repeatedly, the Packers didn't lose their most explosive receiver and have their QB bang his elbow on the eve of the playoffs this year. That already puts them in a better position than a year ago.

Lucius from Akron, OH

It seems really unusual for every team in a division to finish with a winning record. Strong argument for being the best division in football?

The NFC West, despite Arizona's abysmal record, probably has a better argument. But I read this was just the second time in the Super Bowl era an entire division finished above .500, and the second time a last-place team in one division had a better record than the first-place team in another (NFC South, 8-9).

Tom from Wauwatosa, WI

Well, what did we learn from the fourth preseason game?

One side of the ball was overmatched against the opponent's starters. The other wasn't. At least not in the trenches.

Mike from Madison, WI

I noticed Jordan Love kept his helmet on during the game. Does he still get to hear the plays called?

Yes.

Tom from Manassas, VA

OK, now that the game is over and the unthinkable did not occur, can you possibly shed any light on the strange decision to dress the franchise QB as the backup for this game, when the perceived desire was to protect him at (seemingly) all costs?

I said in the live blog multiple times, and LaFleur confirmed afterward, had Love needed to enter the game, he was doing nothing but handing the ball off. They didn't feel they had another viable option. That's it, that's all.

Nik from Moore, SC

While I understand the gameplan, I'm a bit disappointed we didn't get to see Tune run the offense. I guess the coaches know from a season of practice if he can play. A few screen passes, a quick slant, or even a play-action shot downfield would have been fun. My gut says we will be looking for a solid backup in the offseason.

I think they did call a shot downfield, and Tune got crushed from the blind side by an unblocked Dallas Turner.

Joe from Duffield, Canada

Hey Mike, I was really looking forward to this game to see what backup talent might end up contributing during the playoffs. I thought Jakobie Keeney-James had a nice day, I liked what I saw from pretty much everyone on defense. The one player that left a lot to be desired was Jordan Morgan finally playing at his "natural" position. He looked lost, let lots of free rushers go, and overall was an uninspiring performance. He's going to need a good offseason before he's stamped the LT of the future.

It was his first start at left tackle and he hadn't practiced there since the preseason. It was a tough assignment. I'm not going to rush to judgment.

Mike from Winchester, TN

Well, if there are no expectations regarding this game then it is impossible to meet or exceed them. Anyway, I took pleasure in watching one of my favorite players, Barryn Sorrell, step up. I could also watch Whelan punt 20 times in a game. That's all I got for you.

Sorrell showed he belongs, at least at first glance. He hung tough against the run for an edge not known for his size.

Ron from Roscoe, IL

In "Five Takeaways," Barryn Sorrel and Brenton Cox Jr. were justifiably noted for their play. What did you think about Jonathan Ford? I really felt like he was absorbing some double teams out there. I'm really hoping he is a big body that can plug the middle.

I thought Ford did some solid work, too. I can only imagine the big fella's level of motivation at this point.

Cody from De Pere, WI

The Eagles rested their starters and lost when they had a chance at a 2 seed and a home playoff game. Am I missing something? Is roster health more important than a home game? Or were they just dodging the Packers?

They weren't dodging anybody. Philly still gets a home game as the No. 3 seed, but no guarantee of a second home game with a win (which is what the No. 2 gets). Eagles must've felt a week of rest for their frontline guys would be beneficial. The same approach worked for them last year, when they had the 2 locked up.

Chase from Diamond Springs, CA

When PIT missed the XP I thought I was about to witness Rodgers missing out on one of his final chances to make the playoffs again. While happy to see Rodgers survived, gotta feel for Loop. That feeling isn't going to go away for a long time.

What an incredible fourth quarter by Rodgers. By both QBs, really. I thought for sure Boswell's missed PAT was the death knell for the Steelers. Just a wild finale to wrap up the regular season. Crazy stuff. I'm happy for Rodgers that he's getting another postseason shot.

Bryan from Las Vegas, NV

Just saw Cole Van Lanen signed a nice contract extension in Jacksonville. I didn't realize he played so many games this year. Glad to see him land on his feet after the way his career started. I always liked his profile coming out of the draft.

I love seeing local athletes not only make it but make it big. Wes covered Van Lanen in high school at Bay Port, so I'll let him add more to this story tomorrow.

John from Omaha, NE

When was the last season the Packers had three different QBs start a regular-season game?

They had four in 2013 – Rodgers, Seneca Wallace, Scott Tolzien and Matt Flynn.

Dennis from Parrish, FL

Matt Flynn had the greatest comeback in Dallas and six touchdowns against Detroit! Can we at least call it a tie with Malik Willis?

I appreciate Flynn's achievements as a Packers backup QB as much as anyone, but I think what Willis has done the last two years is even more impressive, considering he wasn't here for training camp in '24 and had to start two games on ultra-short notice, and then he did what he did this year without really taking starter's reps in practice. Flynn was in his fourth year in McCarthy's system for his six-TD game, and when he came back in '13, he played in three other games before the Dallas comeback.

Mark from Greendale, WI

"Die Hard" a Christmas movie? Policy can stay as long as he wants, he passed that test!

He knows how to play to a crowd.

Doug from Neenah, WI

Good morning, Mike. Are you expecting the NFL's coaching carousel to spin wildly again this week or maybe just a name or two? Thanks.

Oh, it started spinning last night. They also call it Black Monday for a reason.

Eric from Kenosha, WI

Can you recall a week during the season with as many transactions as this week had? Wow.

I've never seen anything like it in 20 years in this chair.

Billy from Kernersville, NC

Watching the Seattle/SF game, and they listed the best road records in the first two seasons for a coach. 16-0 Seifert, 14-2 McDonald, 14-3 McVay, 13-4 Martz. Does LaFleur not belong in here?

LaFleur was 12-4 on the road in his first two seasons, 12-5 including playoffs.

Dominic from Chesapeake, VA

I went walking with my neighbor today. He's an avid Viking fan, but a good guy. One of the topics we talked about is my question for you. In one word, would you please describe how this season has been for you? For me, it's "maddening." We see how great we can be, yet we lose with mistakes in so many aspects of the game and the injuries have been as bad as any season I can remember. Thanks.

I'd probably say "aggravating." But that could still change.

George from Duluth, MN

So the NFC West appears to be this year's version of last year's NFC North … which won zero playoff games despite its three playoff teams having high winning percentages. If the same fate awaits this year's NFC West (we can hope) which team emerges from the NFC? GPG!

Your guess is as good as mine, but I'll be stunned if the Rams lose to the Panthers again. That's the only playoff result in the NFC that would surprise me.

Michelle from Ringgold, GA

What do you think are the Packers' chances are from here on out?

As good as anybody's. Let the crapshoot begin.

Joe from Las Vegas, NV

Can we please get on with the season now?

Gladly. Happy Monday.

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