Inbox: Just another weird footnote to this week and this season

James from De Pere, WI

Just wondering…are there any wads of gum under Mike's 20-year-old chair?

I don't think I've chewed gum since the end of my ignominious baseball career.

Scott from Sussex, WI

I think the term "crapshoot" correctly describes the NFL playoffs because they are the two words I utter when my team exits the playoffs.

Among many others, I'm sure.

Tom from Yardley, PA

Having a playoff game on Prime is complete BS. I can't wait for a 20-game schedule when no preseason games, 25% of the games are played abroad and the first exhibition game is held on Uranus. Oh, and the Super Bowl is exclusively on Bravo streaming only of course. OK, I feel better.

You made me chuckle, and while I do sympathize with the frustrations regarding the NFL's broadcast decisions, this is where it's headed, folks. Amazon is paying the NFL $1B per year (that's a B, as in Bezos) for one game per week, and in the 2025 regular season, Prime's viewership for that one game per week rose 15% over the previous year. The NFL's plan is working, so it's not changing. I do believe Prime offers a free trial, which may get a record number of sign-ups this week.

Mike from Vancouer, WA

I'm curious about the usage of the term "untracked" which was used in the Inbox last week, seemingly implying a return to normal, or getting back on track. I've seen it used this way in other contexts, but always assumed it was a mistake. As a model railroader, having your train get "untracked" is not a good thing. Is this just another non sequitir that's come into common usage? As a resident of Whomville, I'm curious.

It's counterintuitive based on the prefix and I've never understood it myself, but "untracked" does indeed mean to get back on track.

Brian from Oregon, WI

The Packers' last victory came against the Bears, while the Bears' last victory came against the Packers. Any idea if another playoff game has occurred where both teams' most recent victories have come against each other?

Just another weird footnote to this week and this season, and you weren't the only one to mention it. As to your question, I have no idea but if anyone wants to dive into the research, feel free.

Tom from Columbus, NJ

Personally, I wanted this playoff matchup after the Bears won the last game in miracle fashion. Third time around now, what matchups should we keep our eyes on?

I'm not looking so much at matchups, but at two things that remain keys for the Packers since the previous meeting – protect the ball and finish drives. The 1-for-5 in the red zone at Soldier Field, which included a turnover inside the 5-yard line, was the biggest reason that game hinged on an onside kick.

Jim from Maple Grove, MN

Thinking of the Bears, all of the muffed interceptions this season, and Al from Green Bay's "Turnover Faucet," it struck me as painfully ironic that one of the non-dropped INTs was Keisean Nixon's at the end of the Lambeau game, when a broken up pass serves just as well. Could we get a voucher for that one, and redeem it Saturday night?

Let's hope.

Daniel from Monroe, IA

Good morning! Is there a different set of voting criteria for the Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors? I sure hope Daniel Whelan gets more All-Pro consideration than he did for the Pro Bowl. Hopefully he'll have more important things to worry about that weekend! Go Pack Go!

Pro Bowl voting has three segments – fans, players, and coaches/scouts. All-Pro voting is done by the media only. It's a pool of 50 NFL writers with each market represented, and the rest are national writers not tied to a specific team.

Arian from Cedar Rapids, IA

I do not disagree with you very often. However, in regards to your answer Mark from Austin, TX, and Drake Maye being MVP, I have to humbly disagree. Matthew Stafford in my amateur opinion. Even with that minor mistake, you guys do a terrific job and thank you.

Stafford may very well win the MVP, and leading the league in passing yards (4,707) and passing TDs (46) makes a strong case. I'd have no problem with him winning it. But if I had a vote, I'd vote for Maye as well. Stafford's two leading pass catchers are Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. Maye's are Stefon Diggs and Hunter Henry. That's the difference in my book.

James from Chicago, IL

Week 2 I was at Lambeau and Barryn Sorrell got some playing time towards the end. I specifically watched him and he played like a man on a mission. Everyone kinda poo-pooed me when I was bringing his name up. Now everyone is talking about him. I knew 16 weeks ago what he was capable of. I'm happy everyone else knows now too.

His future sure appears bright. He's one of those guys we'll be talking about in the offseason looking to make that Year 2 jump.

Jay from Altoona, WI

Doug from Green Bay wrote about how Matthew Golden's rookie season did not live up to his expectations. I would suggest that Doug should read Spoff's "Top 10 plays that got Packers into playoffs" article. While Golden never had a monster game, he made key plays at key times earlier in the season before injuries crept in. I think he became lost in the shuffle as the season went on, but like Wes I remain high on Golden's future.

Me, too. The injuries halted Golden's progress, and I would argue it's more difficult for a rookie to just pick up where he left off when he's healthy again because nobody gets those practice reps back. It's such a long season and so much changes and evolves with a team's offense from week to week. It's one of many elements that makes the pro game so different from the college one.

Mike from Grovetown, GA

Looking at the list of upcoming UFAs, and it's amazing how well the Packers have managed this. Compared to many teams, our list is small. It would seem that Rasheed Walker, Romeo Doubs and Malik Willis are going to get paid elsewhere and deservedly so. The question I have is about Quay Walker. What did you think of his season? Do you think he's still improving?

I thought Quay had his best season to date. Not without flaws, but he's playing himself into a sizable contract somewhere. Gutey mentioned several times this past offseason wanting him for the long-term, but an extension never materialized. Now the Packers are in a different spot with no first-round picks the next two years and a different cap situation after the Micah Parsons trade. It'll be an interesting decision.

Bob from Ocean View, DE

Your thoughts on Miami looking to interview Jon-Eric Sullivan for GM?

Sully is going to be a GM in this league at some point. I have no doubt about that. I hope he's able to find, and land, the right situation for him.

Dennis from De Pere, WI

Is Packers/Bears the farthest west playoff game?

Until Seattle and Denver host games in the divisional round.

Nate from Canada

The schedule makers did us a huge favor putting us in on Saturday. What key contributors to the team played meaningful snaps on Sunday? Side note, as bad as I feel for the Ravens kicker, I'm glad that Rodgers' career wasn't ended early due to a missed extra point. Though after playing the Texans' defense, that might've been the way to go out…

Rodgers and the Steelers will have a very tough time with that Houston defense. It took them way too long to get going against a very suspect Baltimore D, but they'll get Metcalf back now. As for regulars taking meaningful snaps last Sunday, starter Anthony Belton played every snap up front (as did next men up Jordan Morgan and Darian Kinnard), with Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks splitting the backfield load. On defense, Evan Williams and Javon Bullard played about one-third of the snaps each.

Courtney from Hungry Horse, MT

We are limping into the playoffs. Our chances look good. We play a team we beat twice. OK, the second time we beat ourselves. Has there ever been a time any team has played another team three times in a month?

I don't know about elsewhere, but the Packers and Bears will be meeting for the third time in 35 days (Dec. 7-Jan. 10), which is the same length time span within which the Packers and Vikings played three times in 2012 (Dec. 2-Jan. 5). The big difference then was the Vikings lost starting QB Christian Ponder in the second game and played Joe Webb in the playoffs, which they kept secret until the gameday inactives were announced 90 minutes before kickoff.

Scott from Clarks Summit, PA

What is the Packers' playoff record in Saturday primetime games?

2-5, with one of the wins the Vikings game mentioned above. The other was at Atlanta in '10. Losses were vs. ATL in '02, at SF in '12, at AZ in '15, vs. SF in '21, at SF in '23.

Tim from Superior, WI

Initial weather forecasts signal a possible snowmageddon event for Saturday night's matchup. Would that favor one team or the other in your opinion? Given the Bears' weakness in the secondary combined with the Packers' plethora of wide receivers, plus the Bears' productive running game, it might seem to be in Chicago's favor, but who knows?

Based on the temperatures I've seen forecast, it would seem rain will be more likely than snow.

Austin from Randolph, WI

Who could be a surprising player that makes an impact on Saturday night?

People might think I'm crazy, but I'll say Luke Musgrave on offense and Lukas Van Ness on defense.

Pat from Redgranite, WI

Good day II! With the win-or-go-home time of the season upon us, I feel that it's time for the Pack to reconsider putting the former Pro Bowl return man Nixon back on the field in that position. We need a jolt there, and now we have Trevon Diggs to supplement our D-back ranks in case the unfortunate happens and Nixon gets dinged. (A bit cold-blooded, I realize.) Has this possibility been discussed by the coaches to your knowledge? GPG!

I have no specific knowledge, but if Bo Melton isn't available, I guess it can't be ruled out. The only other guy I could see putting back there is Emanuel Wilson. But the Nixon risk is real. The Packers are still awfully thin with him, Carrington Valentine and Diggs as the only seasoned boundary corners, and they'd be forced to turn to a very green sub if anything happened. Plus, he hasn't returned kicks all season.

Steve from Evanston, IL

The Bears have two very solid tight ends in Kmet and Loveland and they run two-tight-end formations regularly. How can the Packers best defend these two impact players?

They have to count on linebackers like Walker and Edgerrin Cooper to handle that duty because against a defense that puts too many DBs on the field, they'll just run the ball into favorable looks.

Michael from Portland, OR

Is the NFL the only league that re-seeds the playoffs as they proceed? Part of me says it's the fairest way to reward the team(s) with the best record but part of me likes the upsets and how it throws the seeding for a loop. Also, does Carolina remain a four seed after the first round if they win? Inquiring minds want to know.

The league doesn't technically re-seed. It just doesn't create a definitive bracket, so the top seed always plays the lowest-remaining seed in the divisional round. Carolina stays the No. 4 seed and with a win would host another game if the 2 and 3 both get knocked out.

Patrick from St. Charles, MO

This season feels like a game of N64 150cc Mario Kart. Packers got a great start, felt dominant, even weathered a few banana peels here and there. But with a big enough lead and ego...experienced Kart-ers know that the barrage of blue shells (catastrophic injuries), star-powered riders (surging late-season teams), and lightning bolts (devastating mistakes and losses that leave you open to being further crushed) are coming. Let's just hope we have enough laps left to get back to the front.

My kids haven't played Mario Kart in a long time, but I'm pretty sure they're nodding their heads to this.

Mark from Fairport, NY

Lots of comments and optimism from II readers as we head to Chicago for the wild-card playoff. Words are only words and don't win games. The game is played on the field! We will see what this Packer team is really made of this weekend. Prove you're the better team through effort, discipline and unrelenting desire! Go Pack Go!

I said on "Unscripted" I believe the Packers will walk into Soldier Field believing they're the better team, and they just have to prove it. The playoffs are the ultimate proving ground.

Jim from Eau Claire, WI

Good morning gentlemen. I am a firm believer in karma, and after watching Derrick Henry and his teammates wearing the cheese-grater hats I was delighted to see them lose the way they did. I'm still hoping for a Packer-Steeler rematch in the Super Bowl. If we get there who is your choice for an opponent?

Just beat the Bears. Happy Wednesday.

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