Inbox: That fact isn't lost on this locker room

Laura from Arlington, VA

Expectations for Week 17?

Be ready for everything.

Dave from Waterford, WI

Has Jordan Love cleared all his medical protocols in order to play this week yet?

To those who didn’t see Friday’s update, Love has been downgraded to out. Hopefully, Love is doing all right, but there really isn't much more to say until Matt LaFleur speaks after the game. The Packers placed Kristian Welch on injured reserve Friday but haven't made any corresponding roster moves yet. I can only assume Willis starts, with Clayton Tune either added to the 53-man roster today or elevated from the practice squad to serve as QB2.

Jeremy from Weston, WI

How often do the Packers have three QBs active for a game?

The 2024 wild-card game in Philadelphia (when Sean Clifford was the emergency QB3) is the only time I recall during my time on the beat. Love wasn't active at all during his rookie season in 2020.

Mark from Antigo, WI

Why wouldn't the Packers rest their starters in the next couple weeks? I know the league doesn't like it, but the Packers probably don't like the way the officials have allowed some players to be the recipient if some questionable officiating. I'd think allowing the team to heal up and be prepared for hopefully a long playoff run might be a wise decision.

The Packers are still playing for the division and playoff seeding. At the same time, I am curious how Green Bay handles its banged-up stars over the next two weeks. Independent of Love's situation, Josh Jacobs, Evan Williams, and Zach Tom could all use the rest. But I wouldn't start sitting guys for the sake of sitting guys. Until Chicago wins the North, the Packers have something to play for.

Oliver from Germany

Hi Insiders, no looking back, no dwelling...no RELAX ;-), but maybe a little bit time to rehab before the playoffs? GPG

To put it another way – the Packers should be healthier heading into the playoffs than they otherwise may have been while trying to clinch a playoff spot over the next eight days.

Tom from Delphos, OH

Several times I've read people saying they'd love to have us in X playoff spot. Be careful what you wish for. The Pack just needs to finish each game strong by winning and let the rest sort itself out.

First-round byes and division titles help get you to your goals, but a Super Bowl team still needs to win at least three games regardless. Never count your lumber when you're working in the woods. There'll be time enough for counting when the chopping's done, ya know?

Joe from Ashburn, VA

What to expect against the Ravens?

A battle of two good quarterbacks, just not the ones anybody forecasted when the NFL booked Green Bay and Baltimore for Week 17 back in May.

Kay from Lynchburg, VA

Comments on Malik's last performance?

Exemplary. If I'm being honest, I look at tonight's game the same way I viewed Matt Flynn starting the regular-season finale in 2011. This is a chance for Willis to make a lasting impression before free agency.

David from Claremore, OK

I am not old enough to remember watching Zeke Bratkowski play. However, I have read a lot about the history of the Green Bay Packers and the excellent play of Bratkowski backing up Bart Starr. Is it fair to say Malik Willis is on the same level backing up Love? When Willis is in the game, I am confident in his ability and poise. Keep up the good work.

That's another great example. Again, what Willis has done on short notice is nothing short of extraordinary. He has posted four passer ratings of at least 120.0 in relief appearances, including two as a starter.

Ed from Des Plaines, IL

Not a question but an observation from past games. Here's hoping the Packer defense can limit Derrick Henry's running but also prepare for a backup quarterback. I remember Caleb Hanie and Tommy DeVito having career days against the Packers. Thanks again for all your work and Happy New Year.

Fair, but Jeff Hafley also wasn't the defensive coordinator back then. My key to victory is containing Henry, who at 31 continues to play like the Hall of Fame running back he is. The Packers can't take Tyler Huntley for granted if Lamar Jackson doesn't play, but the task of stopping him becomes increasingly more challenging if King Henry is going off.

Jeff from Hickory, NC

Watching the Lions and Vikings, I'm not sure I've ever seen anything like it. Total control of the entire game by the Vikings' defense. They completely took over game as to say, "It's all on us, we know our offense will struggle." Hats off to that defense and its preparation.

If you can take out the rooting interest that we all had in the outcome, it was a beautiful NFL game to watch because Minnesota's defense was so completely and utterly dominant in a day and age when it's not supposed to be. It is so hard for teams to play stingy defense, let alone dictate the entire tempo of a game.

Jon from Soldiers Grove, WI

Good morning, guys. I didn't watch any of the games on Christmas Day. Looking at the stats from the Vikings vs. Lions brings up this question. Was the Vikings defense "that good" or was the Lions offense (Goff) "that bad"? Thanks.

The Vikings' defense is real…and it's spectacular. It again shows how formidable this 2025 Vikings team might have been this year if not for the issues at quarterback.

Jeffrey from Eveleth, MN

Three net yards passing and the Vikings win. Wow. My brother, whom(?) I love, is a Vikings fan. He figured I was cheering for them. I told him no way. Never. No exceptions.

The real treasure was the yards we gained along the way.

Keith from North Muskegon, MI

Good morning gents. Mike's crunch-time article was a great recap of the highs and lows of this team this year. What's not being mentioned is team maturity, especially as we are one of the youngest in the league. GB has some great talent, but experience is the better teacher. Didn't Philip Rivers just prove that point against Bo Nix and Denver?

And there are quite a few young players who have learned a lot over the past three years about what it takes to win in this league. The Packers' window to win is wide open, but I'm hopeful this year's team can make a run because it's likely Green Bay will lose at least a few players this offseason from a talented 2022 rookie class that helped expedite the franchise's turnaround. The Packers arrived ahead of schedule thanks to their 2022 NFL Draft.

Kris from Tomahawk, WI

To me it's obvious – we can't keep wasting opportunities in the red zone. We need touchdowns, not field goals. How can this be fixed?

By staying disciplined, guys executing their assignments and players making plays. The Packers ranked second in red-zone offense going into the Denver game. On average, they've been very good at scoring inside the 20 this season but gotta get back to it.

Cindy from Minneapolis, LA

When Jordan Love is able to play again, what are the chances that he would wear a concussion helmet similar to Romeo Doubs'? How would that affect his performance as a QB, or would it?

I don't believe I've seen a quarterback wear a guardian cap yet.

Pete from Hillsborough, NC

With all the new kickoff rules there are definitely more kicks returned, and there appear to be significantly fewer injuries. Is there data to support this? However, there also seem to be significantly fewer very long returns (to the 50 and beyond). Is this true? Have there been any kickoffs returned for TDs this year?

That's a great question for after the season and maybe once we get to the NFL Annual Meetings in March. To me, it certainly feels that way. There's been a few injuries this year but nothing career-altering like what Johnathan Franklin experienced in 2013.

Tim from Clear Lake, IA

So, it's great that the Packers have qualified for the playoffs, but I'd prefer to storm in by winning these next two games than to stumble in like last year. Mike and Wes, can you motivate the team and coaching staff appropriately? Thanks.

That fact isn't lost on this Packers locker room. Like Hafley said earlier this week, momentum is a very real thing in the game of football and the Packers want to put a better foot forward than they did at the end of last season.

Kathryn from Greenville, WI

I feel sad that Saturday will be the last time in 2025 that I will be at Lambeau. How about you guys?

The seasons go by fast. That's why I've been shouting from the nearest rooftops since 2016 to enjoy every game we're given at Lambeau. Because all we're guaranteed is today.

Keith from Dodgeville, WI

Guys, do players on injured reserve still get paid, is it the same as if they are playing?

They still get paid, but most Day 3 draft picks, undrafted rookies and veteran minimum players have split-salary clauses in their contract that halve their salary if they go on IR.

Greg from Conway, SC

SURPRISED! Not by the Pack making the playoffs (well maybe) but, having II on Christmas! I almost missed it. Don't you guys ever get a holiday?

In-season? Not unless it falls on a Sunday morning.

Dennis from Ottawa, IL

Just when is the league going to give out the times and dates for Week 18? Are they not looking to have fans in the stands for that week's games?

Probably not until Sunday night.

Jim from Augusta, WI

Just my opinion, so take it for what it's worth. It's as plain as the nose on your face why we are putting up with the substandard officiating this year. Because the NFL doesn't see it as an issue, and therefore they don't want to address it...period.

More like exclamation point.

Bruce from Jackson, WI

So many thoughts for so few characters. Not that the II isn't full of characters, but that's another story. First, let's keep it safe out their Insiders as we head into '26. Now onto the Ravens this weekend, it's time to dot our i's, cross our t's and put it all together. No more pre-snap penalties. Concentrate on catching and securing the ball. Maintain your lanes and assignments. To beat a Raven, one must say "Nevermore" to these and then will soar. "Nevermore LaFleur, nevermore!"

"Quoth the Bruce from Jackson, 'Nevermore.'"

Chris from Chesterfield, UK

Nice Paul Hollywood reference, he's the "King of Bread" not cakes. It's the yeast I could do to let you know, we just knead to beat the Ravens.

If you can bake bread, you can bake a cake.

John from Jupiter, FL

Morning Wes. This feels like a big boy football game coming up. Do we have the "big boys"? And it could be Dan Campbell and the Lions controlling who wins the North. Who would they have a preference to playing spoiler too? Thanks.

Based on how the season has played out, I would say Campbell and the Lions have a vested interest in beating Ben Johnson and the Bears in the regular-season finale.

Dan from San Francisco, CA

Really helped my emotions and sanity to hear in the most recent "Packers Unscripted" episode of how we haven't been overmatched or blown out in any game this season. That plus Spoff's sagacious saying of the NFL playoffs being a crapshoot have me feeling hope for the postseason! Until we get there, will feel a bit weird (and icky) to be rooting for the Niners, and then hopefully the Lions, to close out the regular season.

Get to the dance and see what happens.

Chip from Bev Hills, MI

I'm sorry for not remembering his name, but the gentleman who in previous seasons gave us his short inspirational poems before games … did he stop writing them?

That was Dean from Leavenworth! And Derek from Eau Claire, too, somewhat. We miss them both dearly, but people have lives. I hope they're both doing well. Fortunately, we always have…

Al from Green Bay, WI

Baltimore's playoff chances are hanging by a thread. It's time for the Packers to cut that thread. Reasons to believe: 1) While both teams have uncertainty at the QB position, GB has one of the better options. Jordan Love and Malik Willis are both winners! 2) The Packers' D has been up to the task against some of the premier RBs (Saquon Barkley, Jahmyr Gibbs) so they are equipped to slow down Henry. 3) Lambeau Field – it's good to be back home. 4) The North crown isn't out of reach. Motivation! GPG!

The Packers would love to have, um, Love, but they've won with Willis before. The run defense also is battle-tested. Green Bay had a decent track record against Henry, who's rushed for 216 yards and a touchdown on 60 carries (3.6 yards per carry) in three games for the Titans.

Bruce from Northford, CT

Thank you, Caleb from Knoxville. That question is one of the many reasons we love this forum. Thank you, Mike and Wes, for everything you bring to the II family! Appreciated more than you know. Have a safe happy New Year to all. GPG

Wishing the same to all of you. Enjoy the game today, folks.