Hey everybody, thanks for adjusting your schedules and logging on. Hope all is well. Go ahead and start sending in your questions and I'll get going.

Hey Mike - you hear much from Vic these days? How is he? How's his health?

I haven't connected with Vic for several months now. I should probably do that. When I talked with him last spring (I believe), he had moved from Edisto Beach in SC to western NC, right on a golf course, naturally.

Is Luke Musgrave's low snap count more a result of the emergence of Tucker Kraft or his inability as a run blocker?

A lot has to do with Kraft, and in some games the Packers won't use as many two-TE sets as in others based on the game plan. Also, John FitzPatrick has earned snaps at TE as well.

Will Christian Watson be playing Sunday?

Popular question. I honestly don't know. We'll see what we hear between now and the end of the week.

How about that tie and the #1 seed now. So weird.

Barring any other ties amongst the NFC contenders, it'll eliminate any talk of tiebreakers when it comes to the Packers' position. But the NFC is really jammed up top now. One loss and you can fall a long ways.

Are we expecting to get Devonte Wyatt back this week?

He has not practiced since his injury so we'll see if he's out there later today.

How do we establish the run? A more consistent short passing game, misdirection, screens, draws?

Better blocking, honestly. I think GB's O-line has been rather stout in pass protection, but the run blocking has been less consistent. Hopefully the same starting group continuing to play together will lead to progress.

Watson has to at least be put on the 53 by this w/e, correct?

No, the 21-day window expires early next week I believe.

I'm more than a little concerned about our secondary holding up against Rodgers. I've seem what lesser QB's have done so far.

That's been another area of inconsistency I'd call it. Rodgers is going to get the ball out quickly. There are completions that aren't going to be stopped, but if the tackling is on point those can be kept to short gains and give the D chances to get off the field.

Having had two grueling trips to Europe myself recently, I have to believe that five hour delay adversely affected the players more than they are letting on.

Maybe. I don't know. It was just rotten luck that a travel issue like that happened to occur on the longest flight of the season. If it happens when the team is going to Chicago or Minneapolis, it's not that big a deal because the flight is less than an hour. Phoenix was about 3 1/2 hours.

The way the commanders are struggling the less impressive the win. Good thing the playoffs are based on wins and not style points

Jayden Daniels' health has been a big issue for Washington. They're not the same offense without him. Most teams aren't when the starter goes down. Arizona might be an exception, honestly. Brissett is playing pretty well.

Based on what you seen from Pittsburgh this year do you expect us lean more on the pass or the run?

The Packers are going to strive for balance. Look at what Cincy's offense did last Thursday. They got a 100-yard rusher and Flacco-Chase were almost unstoppable.

Hey Mike, based on the first question from II today — why are fans so obsessed with their team being "respected" or showing up in everyone's "top 5"? Who cares if they're "disrespected"? Just go out and win!

Exactly. I don't understand all that nonsense and pay zero attention to it. All that matters is where you end up at the conclusion of the season.

Hello Mike ~ non Packer related question. Have you ever been to Brewers spring training? Thinking about going this March to get in a game or 2 and lots of golf.

I've never been but I definitely want to go sometime.

Would the strategy to neutralizing TJ Watt this weekend be similar to the Detroit game with Hutchinson?

There will be some similar tactics I'm sure. The difference is the Steelers have Heyward on the interior and Herbig on the other side, too. Those guys deserve attention as well. Heyward is a whale of a player as a disrupter on the inside.

I don't recall this much early talk on " seeding" in years past. Did I just successfully ignore it then?

It seems to have become part of the news cycle sooner for whatever reason. I don't start looking at it until there are about 5-6 games left, honestly.

I was excited to see Matthew Golden involved early in the game but I don't recall any catches or targets after the first qtr. what happened?

18 of Jordan Love's 29 throws were targeted for Kraft or Romeo Doubs. They became the go-to guys in that game.

It seems we haven't done that well against short, quick passes. Rodgers is throwing more quickly than he used to. Will that be a problem for our defense?

It's going to be another test, for sure. As I said, tackling will be at a premium, and trying to stay in the underneath passing lanes as much as possible. Easier said than done. But if teams aren't going to challenge the defense downfield, then get to third down and take your chances.

Do you think Brandon McManus is worried about being Willy Pipped?

No.

Two yellow helmet teams could be strange.

Yeah, I haven't heard anything, but I'm wondering if the Packers will be wearing the all-whites. GB wore them on SNF in Seattle last year.

(Editor's note: The Packers have since announced they are wearing their all-white uniforms in Pittsburgh.)

What are the biggest threats in Pittsburgh? How are their lines?

Pittsburgh's pass rush is a big concern, and I think the Steelers are going to try to run the ball with Warren against GB more than recent opponents have tested the run D.

Awesome for kid on sidelines with high 5 from Kraft. Also saw Josh Jacobs's reached out to find a missed high 5 kid.

Yeah, the players know what those moments mean to young kids. They were young once, too.

Will Aaron get a free play this Sunday night? The DL needs to be disciplined.

For sure. The penchant for jumping offside is definitely something Rodgers will try to use to his advantage. The Packers have to stop doing that or it could really cost them. It was costly enough in AZ.

Hey Mike, how much of an impact did blitzing Quay Walker have on Micah Parsons's successful day? Having to account for Quay's tenacity had to cause some shifts in protection from the Cardinals.

Walker had a terrific game, but honestly the Cardinals decided to try to block Parsons one-on-one more than any other opponent so far this season, and they paid the price.

What week are we wearing the throwbacks with the new brown helmets?

The Carolina home game, next week

I think Hutchinson has more moves than Watt. I see Watt more of pure speed rusher. Kraft will be chipping.

Chipping will be involved, but Watt has plenty of moves too. He's not some one-trick pony.

At the end of the season, they don't ask how, they ask how many.

Right.

Now that touchbacks come out to the 35, why would a team purposely kick it into the end zone? That decision cost the Cardinals three big points at the end of the half and there have been other similar examples throughout the league this season.

I don't know if the Cardinals purposely kicked to the end zone. I asked LaFleur Monday if that's what GB did after the go-ahead TD with two minutes left and he said that wasn't the plan. Sometimes the kickers just get too much leg into it.

Can the Blue Jays beat the Dodgers?

Can they? Yes. Will they? I doubt it.

I noticed the Lions shut down Tampa without any of their starting secondary. Meanwhile we seem to struggle stopping anyone with our starters. Just the NFL or is Detroit just that deep with talent?

Credit to the Lions for how they pieced together a D-backfield to handle the Bucs, but what we don't know is how much they changed up what they do with different players back there. Once that stuff is on film, other teams adjust. We'll see what happens moving forward.

I was at the game Sunday. The Packer fans were numerous. I witnessed a franchise record, and a hip drop tackle flag. (so I have that going for me now)

The crowd reminded me of Nashville last year. Pretty much a takeover.

How many Packers fans typically show up in Pittsburgh?

I'm not expecting too many. The Steelers fans are going to be jacked for this one.

At what point can you tell if a defense is playing man or zone? Is it easier from your position above the field?

The good disguisers don't make it obvious until after the snap, if they can. Pre-snap motions can help with getting tells as to the coverage, but those aren't foolproof.

I don't believe our fans will be taking over Pittsburgh's stadium Sunday.

Me neither.

How are Pittsburgh TE's in regards to receiving?

Freiermuth is their second-leading receiver behind Metcalf. He's averaging 14.4 per catch, which is quite the number for a TE. He had that big 68-yard TD vs. Cincy last Thursday.

There are so many "mental" penalties occurring. What do you think the Team could do to work on the mental side? I think it's a focus issue but what do I know.

That's what they've got to figure out. I don't know what the answer is but somebody's got to find one.

How many teams out of the NFC North and AFC North make the playoffs?

Interesting question. In the AFC North, everyone's wondering if the Ravens can recover, and if Flacco can keep the Bengals going until Burrow gets back. In the NFC North, it's shaping up to be a crazy battle for wild-card spots with the teams in the NFC West.

Tampa did not have it top receivers either.

Yeah, when the Bucs lost Evans on a play that was going to be a big gainer, that changed the game. They were already down Godwin, and the Lions focused a lot of attention on Egbuka from there.

Will you or Wes be in on Rodgers zoom meeting with the Packers reporters tomorrow?

I think Wes is going to handle that one. Just how our week got divided up.

Lots of concern on the Pittsburgh playing surface. I thought I read where they were going to replace it before this game! True?

I heard that it's been replaced, but I'm not up on all the news there.

Did Micah's hip drop draw a fine?

Don't know yet. That news usually comes out at the end of the week.

Edgerrin Cooper was constantly in the backfield last year. This year not so much. Have his assignments changed?

Well, he's not blitzing as much with Parsons in the fold, and teams haven't run outside as much as previously, perhaps because they know Cooper and Walker are so fast at shooting gaps on stretch runs. The LBs aren't going to be in the backfield on runs between the tackles.

Will this be the most hostile outdoor stadium road game this year?

So far. But Detroit on Thanksgiving is still coming, as well as the other two division trips.

Hey Mike. I see a pattern on our defense. When we are able to bring pressure, the secondary play well. But when opposite QB have time, the CB's struggle to make plays when needed. that's why I see Hafley using a lot of zone coverage, because probably he know playin mainly man coverage ( like Detroit or Eagles) would be much worse.

They also play a lot of zone coverage because that allows the defenders to have their eyes on the QBs to potentially get more INTs. It's harder to get picks in man coverage.

I am a firm believer in this league, it is not who you play (ask teams playing the Ravens lately), but when you play them. Do you think we are catching the Steelers at a good time?

On the surface, no. They're annoyed they let a division game get away last Thursday and they've had some extra rest. But we'll see what their injury report looks like soon here.

Isn't it Pittsburgh that has that big 300lb TE?

Washington, yes. He's around 280 I think. Big dude. Rodgers doesn't hesitate to feed him the ball. He's got nine catches and a TD this season.

Will the team do anything different this week to recover between trips to two different time zones?

The players got Monday off after returning so late from the West Coast and practice was pushed back a little bit today on the schedule.

Piggybacking on the TE talk, I feared McBride would have a big day last week and he did. Should we be more afraid of Smith/'Muth across the middle or DK taking the top off?

You have to guard against all of it. The Packers had a couple of clear coverage busts vs. McBride. Both of his TDs were not how those coverages are designed. That can't happen against 'Muth or he'll have a big day too.

Are the Colts and Patriots for real?

I haven't watched any of their games but they're winning games and that's all that counts. The Colts beat the Chargers by two TDs.

Do you see a CB trade in the cards between now and 11/4 (Woolen in Seattle, etc.)? Or internal improvements the focus?(Carrington Valentine starts, move Nate Hobbs to the slot)

I don't know what Gutey is looking at in terms of the trade market. I addressed Hobbs/Valentine at length in today's II so I'll direct you there for that comment.

Keys to beating Pittsburgh?

A turnover or two could go a long way in this one.

Has Aaron thrown a pick against every team but the Packers?

Hmmm, I dunno. I don't know if I'll have time to research that one but you have me curious.

Matt knows plenty about how Rodgers operates. Think that could give us an edge?

I doubt it. He's running a different system now, with different players around him. He hasn't run Matt's plays for 3 years now.

If we score 27 points again, will we win?

Ha, it's been a lucky number so far. That would be another good offensive output, especially on the road. I like GB's chances with 27, I'll say that.

I think LB play will be critical this game with the quick pass and TE influence. Are we looking pretty healthy there?

No health concerns at that position that I'm aware of, as of now.

I know they go hand in hand, but rush or coverage?

Rodgers isn't going to hold the ball much. But he will also pick his spots to take some shots. In those moments, the pass rush will be paramount. Otherwise, tighten the coverage and tackle.

You mean Gutey doesn't run stuff by you first? The nerve!

Ha, imagine that.

With Rodgers getting the ball out quickly, he probably doesn't take too many sacks?

That's my anticipation.

How much do think AR8 is motivated to join the exclusive club of QBs with wins against every franchise?

I'm sure he'd like to join that list. But he'd also just like to beat the Packers whether they're 32nd on his list or not.

Our offense keeping Rodgers off the field with long drives would be a key to victory.

True that.

A search of Rodgers' career interception history from multiple sources and news reports confirms he has not thrown interceptions against all 31 other NFL teams.

Alrighty then, thanks.

Does Pittsburgh's defense have a particular weakness? Covering Chase apparently, but we don't have any one guy that can do everything he can.

No, but this offense can find the open guy, especially if the running game is opening things up. Balance offensively is key against that Pittsburgh pass rush, I believe.

The lack of success in Pittsburgh is fascinating, is there a reason it is hard to win there? Or is it just a matter of circumstances all lining up against the Pittsburgh team that's been historically good?

The Packers have played there only six times since 1970, so it's not like that's a huge sample size. The games in '09 and '17 were down to the wire, as was '23. The Packers have had their chances. Maybe this one they cash in.

Mike, Why do you think MLF needed a timeout in order to make the "right" decision to go on 4th and 2 late in the game last week? Is he not game managing and thinking ahead far enough in your opinion?

He said Monday when they lost a yard on third and 1 to make it fourth and 2, he wasn't initially comfortable going for it. But then he changed his mind. He wishes he had stuck with his instinct, which was to go for it on fourth down if they didn't get it on third, and saved his timeout.

How would you rank Tomlin? Top 10? Top 5?

I don't know where to rank him but I respect the heck out of him. He's a legend in the coaching business in my eyes.

With that, I've gotta sign off folks. LaFleur's press conference is in less than 10 minutes. Thanks for participating and we'll talk again soon. Hopefully next week's chat can return to the usual time. Take care, Mike