Bill from Bloomfield Hills, MI

Crazy stat for the week – whose bingo card had the NFC North totally inverting from last year with 4-3-2-1 becoming 1-2-3-4? That can't happen too often can it?

Since the current divisional alignment in 2002, it's happened three times – the 2013 NFC East, 2018 AFC South and 2020 NFC East. For it to hold in the NFC North this year, either the Vikings have to win or the Lions have to lose Sunday.

Kirsten from Madison, WI

What would be the benefit of playing the starters or even regular backups against the Vikings? It seems to me like this week is a gift, albeit one we didn't want. But as long as this is how it played out ... take the second bye week heading into the playoffs. Get everybody as healthy as possible. And, meanwhile, give your up-and-comers a chance to see some real action. It's good experience for them and gives coaches a real-world opportunity to see what they have in the newer guys.

Not all the starters and regulars can rest, but this is a team whose bye was back in Week 5 and had 20 guys on the injury report as recently as last week. Health has to be the priority. Does that come with drawbacks? Sure. Lots of folks are asking about playing Jordan Love at least a little so he doesn't have such a long layoff before the postseason. I understand that concern. But if Love isn't resting, than neither can Rasheed Walker nor Aaron Banks nor Zach Tom, because to take any risk with Love in a meaningless game without his best linemen in front of him would be malpractice, and those veteran linemen might benefit from a break at this stage.

James from Eagle, ID

I will be interested to see how some of the reserve players in the offensive and defensive lines perform. This is the chance for backups to show what they can do. Are there any players that you feel deserve keeping an eye on?

I listed a bunch toward the end of this story I posted Wednesday night.

Mike from McFarland, WI

Is it possible to be both structurally disciplined AND have huge takeaways as a defense? I look at Chicago and other previous ballhawk Packers defenses and it feels like a defense that plays sloppy and gives up big plays are often taking big risks, which sometimes miss but every once and awhile get that takeaway. Seems like a player needs to take gambles. Is it actually possible to be both?

It's possible but it's difficult in this day and age of offenses prioritizing ball security. We've also seen takeaways fluctuate greatly from year to year in this league because there is an element of good fortune and unforced mistakes by opponents. The Packers had 31 last year, less than half that this year, with mostly the same personnel and same approach.

Troy from Westminster, CO

Acquiring Trevon Diggs may be the most counter move the Packers could make at this point – a "bad attitude" coming to a positive locker room, health issues to a team full of them, a boom-or-bust CB with a penchant for giving up big plays while creating occasional turnovers coming to a D that refuses big plays while struggling for turnovers. What could go wrong? A lot … but man I hope this works because if it does, it may be just what they need to turn this corner into a playoff run. Go get 'em.

His first impression is not that of a player with an attitude issue. Regardless, a change of scenery and fresh start can do wonders for anyone. Given how inexperienced depth-wise the Packers were going to be at cornerback after losing Nate Hobbs and Kamal Hadden this past week, they couldn't have asked for a better opportunity to fall into their lap, nor Diggs into his. Let's see what happens.

Tim from Olathe, KS

Insiders, it is difficult not to compare Malik Willis and Desmond Ridder. Both third-round picks, big college numbers, very athletic, and tons of potential. Malik has clearly flourished in Green Bay. Is BG perhaps looking to replace Willis with Ridder next year?

As Wes noted yesterday, it's not out of the realm. If Gutey feels he's heading into next year with a viable competition for the No. 2 spot between Tune and Ridder, he may not have to spend a late draft pick on a QB when he's short on picks already.

Jeff from Foothill Ranch, CA

Hi Mike, thinking back on last week's battle of backup QBs, would you rather have a backup that has the same skill set as your starter, but obviously to a lesser degree, so you don't have to change much (Huntley) or one that has a different skill set that might be able to catch a defense unprepared because he can do different things (Willis)?

We've all seen firsthand the potential advantage of the latter, but I don't think you can necessarily go out of your way to look for that. You have to make personnel decisions based on who can develop into the best quarterback, period.

Bruce from Jackson, WI

Morning Mike and Wes, assuming we don't want to risk Christian Watson and Jayden Reed this weekend how about taking the opportunity to feature Matthew Golden and Savion Williams? Target them accordingly, giving them the chance to shine and us to see what we got in the first and second rounds of the draft. Also, no matter who is behind the center, come out throwing like last weekend and open the offense up. Sound like a plan. Let's Go Pack!

Third round for Williams, and they need him healthy first, but all else being equal I'd love to see those guys featured.

David from Buena Vista, CO

What do you think about putting Bo Melton in at CB for the entire Vikings game? He's been playing a role on offense, but with the situation in the CB room it feels like there's a decent chance he has the play some CB in playoffs, having only ever taken preseason snaps. In my mind anytime Bo is on the field he brings energy to the team.

Selfishly, I'm hoping to see Bo play in all three phases Sunday. I may write about that tomorrow.

Austin from Appleton, WI

Unfortunately, either of our two potential wild-card opponents are the two NFC teams most equipped to line it up and run it right at our defense. I felt in both outings, the Bears could have (and should have) pressed their relatively effective running game more against our front. I doubt they'll make that mistake in a third matchup. Hafley and this defense have their work cut out to figure this out in two weeks.

No lie told. In the second Bears game, I wonder if the Packers' successful ball-control game with Willis, limiting possessions, made Chicago reluctant to run the ball more.

Bob from Rome, NY

Mike: Wes and yourself were talking about the Packers' defense during "Unscripted" and I was hoping you would mention ML's comments he recently made about mistakes made in the Ravens game by the defense that were implemented during camp and should not be made at this point. Your thoughts? As always, thank you.

I addressed this along with numerous other topics in my mid-week chat. Lapses can happen late in the year when dealing with short weeks, adjusted practice schedules, not as many padded practices, more walk-throughs, all that. That's not an excuse, just a reality, and it's on all the players and coaches to stay on top of basics and fundamentals regardless of circumstances. When they don't, dud performances result, and good luck overcoming a dud against a motivated team playing for its season.

Jeff from Maricopa, AZ

When people talk about wanting to be on a roll going into the playoffs I think of the '95 Lions. I think they won their last five games and I kept hearing how nobody wanted to play them in the playoffs. Then they went to Philly. They were down 51-7 early in the third quarter and threw six INTs. You never know what happens. I have low expectations for the playoffs, but I also did in 2010.

You've managed to resurrect Ray Rhodes' lone playoff win as a head coach, so I felt compelled to look it up. Don Majkowski came off the bench for Detroit that day to relieve Scott Mitchell (four INTs) and threw three TD passes, plus two more INTs. That aside, the '95 Lions actually had won seven straight, and their defense had given up more than 24 points only once during that winning streak. Then a week after scoring 58 points, the Eagles scored 11 and were out.

Santijav from Staten Island, NY

To make things fair regarding bye weeks I would like to see teams in the same division get the bye week at the same time.

But that would make too much sense.

Bill from Forest Park, OH

I won't get to watch the game Sunday since the Bengals play at the same time and that game will be on local TV (so will watch Joe Burrow), but I'll be following Mike's live chat. So grateful to have that available! On the plus side, I won't have to hear that bloody awful horn, so I'll have that going for me, which is nice.

I may regret saying this after Sunday, but I decided back on Thanksgiving I've never been as worn out by Minnesota's horn as I was by Detroit blasting the opening notes to "Hell's Bells" before every third and fourth down. The first chime rings, literally, as soon as the ball carrier is tackled on second down. The Packers had 15 third/fourth downs that day and I was hearing the "bongs" in my head all the way through Christmas.

Mike from Baraboo, WI

Looking back, what game do you think the Packers played their best game and conversely, which game did they play their worst game?

Given all the circumstances, I'd say this team's best game was the first 58 minutes in Chicago. If it needs to be a win, I'd probably say at Pittsburgh. The worst was Carolina.

Andrew from Brea, CA

Thanks for all your detailed coverage this year, it's been my first season following II and it has definitely enhanced the season for me! That being said I'm curious to know what has surprised you most about this team, this year, at this point in the season and what hasn't. Thanks guys!

I'm not surprised this team is in the playoffs. I am surprised it's as the seventh seed because they weren't able to win seven of their games.

Todd from Lake Villa, IL

Good morning, much has been made of the fact that Jordan Love has gotten the Packers into the playoffs all three years he has been the starter, but each time they squeaked in as the seventh and last seed. If not for the change to add that seed a few years ago, this would be the fourth straight year of not making the playoffs. I know they say to just get to the dance and see what happens, but is the fact they are making the playoffs masking the actual lack of enough progress?

I don't think it's masking anything. The Packers are in the same spot a third straight year for reasons – some of their own doing, others beyond their control – too numerous to list. I agree they're no closer to a championship right now, but this postseason story has yet to be written.

Bruce from Martha's Vineyard, MA

To lose out from here would be a (darn) shame. Finding a way to win the wild card game, over either Chicago or Philly, would be immensely satisfying and render these recent losses practically irrelevant. The goal in Titletown is obviously championships, but isn't the outcome of this upcoming playoff game a rather large fork in the road? Feels like the collective energy of the franchise hinges upon it.

I don't disagree.

Bill from Coeur d'Alene, ID

Josh Jacobs said after the Ravens beatdown that some players didn't give it their all. Do you know how often the core leadership of players meet, to keep tabs on the team's morale? While these are well-paid professional athletes, they're also human beings, some of whom may have become disheartened after losing key players like Micah Parsons and Tucker Kraft, among others, then losing to Chicago, then demoralized by getting run over by the Ravens. Any of that needs to get expressed to right the ship.

Which is why this week could turn out to be a blessing in disguise.

Eric from Oshkosh, WI

This has been a disappointing season, but there are still reasons for hope. We will play PHI or CHI. Lost to PHI 10-7 without Reed and Golden. Our defense has struggled lately, but offense has been on the rise. Should have beaten CHI on the road without QB1, OT1, S2, who all should be healthy by then. This team is capable, even with all the season-ending injuries. Granted, we have to find a way to play our best game(s) of the season, and that's been elusive, but that's playoff football, right?

Indubitably.

Robert from Verona, WI

The level-headed responses in the Inbox really point to one thing: The Packers may not break out of their current slump, but there is reason to believe it's entirely possible that they will. When the Packers made it to NFC Championship Game in 2016, I think everyone knew it would take a Herculean effort and a lot of lucky breaks to win that game. Going into the playoffs this year, I still believe it's all out there for the team, even with the injuries. What lies ahead is a beautiful mystery.

Happy Friday.

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