Ken from New Berlin, WI

Where do we go from here?

Seattle.

Leanna from Mandan, ND

Cheering against the Vikings is starting to get disheartening.

Even when the Falcons tied the game late in the third quarter, I had zero belief they could win it.

Dave from Gwinn, MI

So much talk about Detroit, but watching how well Atlanta was playing and running on Minnesota, the Vikings make me nervous. They seem to always find a way to win.

How well Atlanta was playing? Come again? You must've been watching another version of that game. I was watching an absolutely atrocious Falcons pass defense surrender completions of 52 (TD), 49 (TD) and 42 yards, plus a DPI of 47 – all to two guys who combined for 265 (plus the penalty) and all five of Darnold's TDs. Yes, the Vikings are explosive and dangerous, but the Falcons just didn't even compete defensively. They surrendered half the field at a moment's notice – four times.

Craig from Sussex, WI

If I'm the Vikings, I think I would pay Sam Darnold.

It's certainly an interesting decision.

Gary from Belle Mead, NJ

So how about that Saints field goal block? Was it legal? If so, should holding the long snapper down while another player jumps over him be legal?

It looked pretty shady. I can't imagine that's legal. I'll be interested to hear of any fallout.

Davy from Watertown, WI

The Chiefs winning on a walk-off "Doink" basically sums up their entire season so far.

You can't make this stuff up.

Jeff from Indian Lake, NY

I think it's funny members of the media are reporting a "career resurgence" from Bryce Young. Probably the same talking heads that called him the biggest bust of all time.

Those are the same talking heads who don't understand how everything about a young QB's environment (coaching, surrounding cast, scheme, system, etc.) matters in his development. Their analysis is as simple as, "He play good. He good. He play bad. He bad." And they get paid way more than the rest of us. Go figure.

Jake from Greenfield, WI

Is games where a QB gets a lead only for the opposite team to drive down, tie the game, then proceed to win the coin toss and win in overtime without the first QB ever getting the ball an official stat? If so, I have a QB in mind that feels like they have to be close to the top of that list.

Crazy, huh? Even the changed overtime rules haven't helped him.

Bob from Bement, IL

Mike, I appreciated the two earlier posts re: JA's availability/GB record when not. They're questions I wanted to ask but didn't want to appear to be picking on an excellent athlete that seems to get injured a lot. Was the makeup of our current secondary personnel the reason for the wide-open Lions receivers, or are they just outstanding route runners? I mean, Goff has had outstanding completion percentages all year but the receiving corps there has to be a big reason for that, right?

The system fits Goff and the receivers well, and vice versa. Losing Evan Williams and Javon Bullard in the secondary during the game (while already being without Alexander) didn't help. I know injuries were everywhere Thursday, but losing guys during games makes for tougher adjustments, I believe. The banged-up Lions proved they have better depth. Tim Patrick's two TD catches were his first two since 2021.

Anthony from Southington, CT

Is it possible the Lions' new faces on the D-line might have given the Packers some initial problems because they represented "unscouted" looks and techniques? Do you think teams have to play the Lions differently on third down since they have a propensity to go for it on fourth down? Typically you can play to give up 7/8 on third-and-10 say, but that leaves the Lions a manageable fourth-and-2/3.

I do think Lions DC Aaron Glenn dialed up more crashes, stunts and blitzes up front than he usually runs, though I don't have any specific evidence to justify that view, and the Packers were slow to adjust. Once they did, Jordan Love was rarely under duress. Your point about defending the Lions differently feels worthwhile to explore. It's as though you have to defend third-and-8 like it's third-and-5. If they aren't going to play conventionally, maybe teams shouldn't defend them conventionally.

Rick from Telford, PA

IMO the key series was the Lions drive before the half. The goal should have to keep them out of the end zone. But instead of helping his defense MLF thinks he can get the ball back. So he HELPS the Lions by giving them two free GB timeouts. Without that help it is highly likely the Lions would have had to settle for a FG and the end-game dynamics would have been more in the Packers' favor. Someone needs to talk about this. It's not the first time.

I agree it was a key series, but you (and others) are overreacting to the timeout usage. LaFleur used his second timeout of the half on second-and-goal from the 1 with 1:01 left. He used his last at 1:00 after replay reversed the sneak to make it third-and-goal from the 1. The Lions had all their timeouts, so they were content to run clock and not give the Packers any time left after a score, and if needed they would've used their own timeouts to give themselves enough opportunity – in fact, they used their first timeout with 14 seconds left before fourth-and-goal so as not to take a delay. Because it was goal-to-go and the last set of downs in the half (barring a DPI or defensive hold for an automatic first down), there was nothing wrong with how LaFleur managed that. If Goff's sneak on second-and-goal would've been a TD, the Packers would've had a minute left, whereas the Lions would've let the clock run down near 20 seconds before even running that play had Green Bay not stopped the clock before it. Same with Montgomery's third-and-goal run the Packers stopped.

Mark from Dallas, TX

Rules question from end of last game, Lions final fourth down. On TV broadcast they speculated pre-snap Lions were trying to draw Pack offsides and call timeout if it failed. Obviously not what was actually happening, but I thought you couldn't call back-to-back timeouts anyway, and Lions had just called one after third down. Am I wrong or did broadcast crew not know that rule?

You're right. Another timeout wasn't an option for Detroit. When the Lions came up to the line on fourth down, they were snapping the ball, and they opened a huge hole.

JD from Madison, WI

Not a question, just an observation. Christian Watson's response to the OPI was refreshing and professional. The manner in which it was called is exactly what many fans have been asking for. Call penalties if they impact the play. In this case the play was designed to go to the left side, when it broke down and went off-schedule it transitioned to the right side which made the collision an important part of the play. The flag was thrown after it was determined it resulted in an open receiver.

Exactly. Several other calls/non-calls bothered me considerably more than that one. If we're boiling it down to the biggest, for me it's the ignored push-off by St. Brown on Nixon on second-and-17 on the final drive. If that's called, it's second-and-27 from the Green Bay 47 with nearly 90 seconds left. That was a 26-yard swing with the game in the balance, and maybe Detroit gets into field-goal range anyway, but it's a longer kick and they can't kill all the clock.

Kenneth from Tomah, WI

It certainly feels like the Lions are the NFC equivalent to the Chiefs in that referee calls "mysteriously" go their way. With many accusing the NFL of "scripted games" you think they would pay more attention to that. In addition, it sure seems the NFL is VERY interested in promoting gambling. I think this is a VERY BAD look for the sport.

I've been saying that for years. As for these "mysterious" calls, I find it far more plausible the officiating is just poor rather than biased. I'm much more inclined to question individual competence in a difficult job than personal integrity.

Trish from Pickerington, OH

Hi Mike, thank you for the clear explanation of the rule behind the OPI call. I'm old school and often cringe at Wes's metaphors, but I loved, "That's its deal to muddy the waters and then tell you where the fish are." What a great image.

That's a new one for me, but I liked it, too.

Gretchen from Dousman, WI

Good morning. I need some help from your even perspective. The Lions push the limits on aggressive play – hard hits, leading with helmets, pushing and shoving receivers, hands in faces. Is this good football? They are certainly winning with it. It doesn't seem like good sportsmanship to me. Isn't that important anymore? Am I just a dumb girl?

I know that's not it, Gretchen. The Lions play right on the edge and cross the line plenty, and when you win, the style is lauded as tough. When you lose, it's chippy and undisciplined. It's not about sportsmanship, it's about results.

Scott from Las Vegas, NV

Josh Jacobs is obviously a key playmaker for the Pack but equally as important in my opinion is Jayden Reed. Reed had only a single target against the Lions. That's hard to digest. The Lions thrived on running the ball and short passes for first downs and the Packers seemingly abandoned the screens and passes to Reed. Was that the plan or circumstances?

I don't know, but I feel the need to point out on the fateful Watson OPI in goal-to-go, the play call was a screen left to Reed.

Mike from Baraboo, WI

Josh Jacobs has been outstanding. Will the Packers incorporate him more into the passing game to keep defenses guessing how he will be attacking defenses?

Everyone else is complaining about Jayden Reed not getting any touches in Detroit, and you want more passes for Jacobs. Pardon me while I recover from the dizziness.

Terrance from Sun Prairie, WI

How can the defense improve the pass rush the last few games of the year?

Beat the men across from them, and get the coverage to hold up a tick longer. Rush and coverage are not mutually exclusive.

Joe from Eau Claire, WI

I see many are finding a silver lining in the fact that we took the Lions down to the wire and are citing it as proof we can play with the best in the league. I somewhat agree…but didn't the Bears also hang with the Lions to the very end just last week? They were arguably in better position to knock off the Lions before their time mismanagement. The scoreboard said we were in the game, but it never FELT like it. Too many fits and starts. Can this mini-bye help smooth things out?

That's the hope, but the Packers led Thursday night twice in the second half, and you never felt like they were in it? Sorry, again, I must be watching different games.

Petey from Sarasota, FL

We tend to lean towards the things we didn't do rather than the things the Lions did. When we say our offense got off to a slow start, the Lions say their defense got off to a great start. It's not always as simple as correcting the little things that you can fix when it's the opponent who's breaking those things in the first place. If we face the Lions again, they'll have evolved their game just as we'll have and the best team will again do the little things to win.

Bingo.

Kevin from Rockton, IL

Here's a prediction – the Lions will lose in the playoffs, based on a bad decision by Dan Campbell. He coaches based on emotion – live by the sword, die by the sword. If the last two weeks has taught us anything, this Lions team is beatable.

Campbell is who he is on fourth downs, and it arguably cost the Lions a trip to the Super Bowl last year. I don't expect him to change. You may be right and it'll happen again, or a gutsy call will take his team all the way. We shall see.

Jeff from Waterford, WI

If we make the playoffs, do you think we can do better than one-and-done, as in the previous years?

The Packers have gone one-and-done in one of Matt LaFleur's four playoff appearances, and in three of Mike McCarthy's nine.

Pete from Farmington, MN

A query was made of Murphy in MT5 about changing playoff seeding, which is something I've had an idea about for awhile. Have it so there are eight teams in the playoffs like a true tourney. The division winners all get in, but they are seeded with the other four best records in the conference, with the top four teams getting the home games, no bye week for anybody … then ditch the 18th game idea totally. What say ye?

Ye wants no more teams in the playoffs – 14 of 32 is plenty. Get it to half-n-half and the regular season just doesn't mean enough.

Josh from Vancouver, WA

Never been to Lumen Field. What should I expect as a visiting fan?

Noise and unpleasant looks. I confirmed that answer with my wife before publishing.

Ben from Missoula, MT

I know there all professional athletes, and their job is to move on from a loss and dig deep for the next game. From your perspective, how is the overall morale of the team currently? I still like their chances, and if they can all rally together they can be a force to be reckoned with!

I have no concerns about team morale. I do think a reset – with a few extra days after a tough loss that squelched a significant goal (winning the division) – was timely.

Bones from Ripon, WI

I'm thinking getting two wins out of these last four games isn't gonna be like a putt that's "inside the leather"!

Of course not. This is the NFL, and the Seahawks are coming off a huge, and impressive, road division win. Prepare, buckle up, and go play. Happy Monday.