Markus from Aurora, CO

Almost game day. Another Thursday night game. On the road this time. Whatever the case, only one thing counts: Beat the Lions. What say you?

I can't believe the Packers are playing yet again today. But yes, beating the Lions would be a welcomed outcome.

Davy from Watertown, WI

Only two games this week are between winning teams. The first one is tonight. Go Pack Go!

Everyone knows the stakes. According to NFL Research, this game features the highest combined win percentage (.833) between two teams in any Thursday game in December or later in NFL history. It's tied for fourth-highest win percentage in any primetime game played in December or later. This is what football is all about.

Joe from Swansea, IL

According to my memory (which could be wrong), the Lions rode Jared Goff's short passing game to the win last time. How does our defense combat that approach? GPG!

The offense has a role to play (e.g. protecting the football), but Green Bay's defense must get Detroit in more third-and-longs. Overall, I thought the defense did OK the first time around, but the Lions' offense still won too many first and second downs. David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs kept Detroit in favorable down-and-distance all afternoon, allowing Goff to make the throws he needed to make.

Pat from Cleveland, TN

I was at the rainy Detroit game and was there all the way through the fifth quarter. It's a special place and we always stay until they kick us out win or lose. There were a lot of lost opportunities in that game. If they clean them up, and it seems they have since, I see no reason the Packers can't come away with a win. I think it will take the Packers beating themselves again in order for Detroit to win. Your thoughts?

The Packers did themselves no favors in that first game with Detroit. They took 10 accepted penalties for 67 yards, threw a pick-six near the end of the first half, went 1-for-4 in the red zone and converted just three of 12 third downs. The Packers outgained the Lions 411-261, finishing with a 150-yard margin that's largest for the Packers over the last five years. Play clean football in all three phases and win this game.

Tyler from Stetsonville, WI

How much of the Week 9 game really goes into prep for either team? For Green Bay, Jordan Love was injured so the style of offense was potentially called differently. For Detroit, it was an outdoor rainy game, so they likely called things differently. Though Week 9 wasn't that long ago, are these teams the same? Different? Only slightly different? I'm expecting a totally different game where, when the dust settles, Green Bay has hopefully firmly planted its "We are here" flag in the NFC picture. Go Pack.

It's all part of the preparation but these teams are undoubtedly different, especially on the injury front. The Packers have (mostly) healed while the Lions enter tonight's game pretty nicked up. The leadership and vision remain the same though. These are two well-coached squads with good schemes. The team that plays cleaner ball likely leaves Detroit with the win.

Charlie from Waukesha, WI

Speaking of narratives, I think the Packers have a good one that hasn't been mentioned. For years the narrative was Kirk Cousins couldn't win in primetime and Dak Prescott can't win the big game. Well, Jordan Love shows up for big games: His first start versus Chicago, Detroit on Thanksgiving, beating defending Super Bowl champs, and his first playoff game.

That doesn't surprise me given Love's cool, calm and collected demeanor. He's been a big-game player during the first two seasons of his NFL career. Love seems to be a strong finisher, too. He has a 120 passer rating since the bye.

Rob from Circle Pines, MN

Josh Jacobs is an excellent running back. It seemed that the offensive line did not provide good openings for Josh in the Miami game. Did see this perspective wrong?

After the San Francisco game, LaFleur mentioned Jacobs was getting touched too much at the line of scrimmage and that probably was the case again vs. Miami. The Dolphins were obviously doing a few things to neutralize Jacobs' threat but the Packers still need to get the defense moving backwards to help spring Jacobs to the second level.

Brian from Ontario, NY

Javon Bullard speaking on what it takes to prepare for a game like this, and what it means to be a professional, show a maturity that is a beyond the expectation for a rookie. It's encouraging to see Brian Gutekunst bring in great talent but also the right people. What a great time to be a Packers fan with what appears to be a long-lasting bright future ahead for this organization.

Bullard and Evan Williams have made immediate impacts, but what's impressed me the most is how both rookies conduct themselves. They're obviously talented, but you can clearly see why the Packers thought so highly of them in the pre-draft process.

Ray from Phoenix, AZ

Seeing lots of articles about certain players that will not be around next year. Two I keep seeing mentioned are Josh Myers and Isaiah McDuffie. To my mind both have really played solidly, especially in the last several weeks. Hard for a center to stand out but McDuffie has really been making impact plays! Is McDuffie's smaller than ideal size the reason for these articles?

I don't read these articles, but I can tell you McDuffie and Myers are everything that's right about the game of football. They're hard-working, determined players who earn every dollar on their paychecks. Few exemplify the ideals of "draft and develop" better than McDuffie, who's improved during each of his four seasons in Green Bay.

Carl from Onalaska, WI

How much was playing in the cold a mental game? I saw a video of very early pregame warmups with Packers on the field in shorts and a T-shirt, acting like it was 70 degrees. While the Dolphins were fully dressed in layers and clearly not going their normal full speed. Seemed the Dolphins were mentally not ready for it.

Tyreek Hill was still running around without a shirt on during pregame warmups, but it's different when you live here. There's a built-in advantage in having to practice in the cold on a weekly basis. If you can jump on a warm-weather team early, the cold weather allows doubt to seep in that much quicker.

Chuck from Richfield, WI

Wes, what a great story on Robert "Scoota" Rochell to give us a glimpse of this tight locker room and that Dr. Chris Carr is right there to help the team in so many ways. Well, on to the game. Do you foresee a larger Packers contingent in the stadium vs. last year?

Thank you for checking it out and everyone who passed along kind words. I'd love to say there will be more Packers fans in attendance tonight, but Lions fans do a nice job of supporting their team. I'm expecting a lot of Honolulu blue tonight with a pinch of green and gold.

Wayne from Stevens Point, WI

It seems to me that FG success is down. Do you have a leaguewide stat on that? And if they are, is it that 50 yard-plus tries are up? Or could it be the new kickoff rules are affecting the kickers? And what is with no doinks of late? That's my favorite play.

It's not the NFL, but there was a solid doink in the Georgia-Georgia Tech game last week. It does feel like field goals aren't as automatic this year, but I wonder how much of that perception has been affected by Justin Tucker's struggles and the number of injuries across the league this year. It looks like the Packers have found their guy in Brandon McManus, though. That's all that really matters.

Austin from Appleton, WI

The Packers went through a rough down year with Mason Crosby, like Justin Tucker, albeit when Mason was younger. The Packers stuck with Mason, and he and the team came out of it for the better. Tucker is the best to ever do it. I can't imagine the Ravens abandoning him so quickly.

Tucker has built some equity while winning Baltimore a lot of games over the past decade. Crosby never made a Pro Bowl, but his resiliency was truly impressive. Aside from one bad season and a bad game in Detroit in 2018, Crosby was about as steady as NFL kickers get.

Brian from Sugar Land, TX

Spoff noted that, "There's much more control over the mental (mistakes), particularly pre-snap penalties, that the Packers must start eliminating. Hearing the coaches this week, their patience has run out." So, what are the coaches able to do about it? Holler louder? Run sprints? Bench a player in favor of a backup? Fine the miscreant? Trade him to the Jets? It seems the potential "corrective actions" are limited.

As an old Packers head coach once said, "You get what you emphasize." Players said this week the coaching staff has driven home that message in meetings and on the practice field.

Tom from Rochester, NY

Just wanted to correct Mike on the Bills new stadium. It will not be a dome. The canopy will be extended to protect more seats, but the field will be exposed to the elements. They are just trying to avoid shoveling two-to-three inches of snow out of the bleachers. Thanks to you both for doing the Inbox and I hope your holidays and Inbox are full of nothing but cheerful comments from here on out!

The Bills took a page from Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where the Packers played the New York Giants two years ago. It's an open stadium, but they're building an extended overhang to protect fans from the weather (and truckloads of snow Orchard Park has become infamous for).

Howard from Appleton, WI

I perhaps shouldn't belabor the point in this forum, and Mike's reply to my question about Rodgers as a Jet (vs. Sam Darnold or Geno Smith) surely outlined the most clear-eyed and level-headed way to view the situation. However, I raised the question regarding how Jet fans view it. How many of them have difficulty being that clear-eyed?

That's probably a better question for a Jets fan, but Smith (2013) and Darnold (2018) were drafted so long ago now. In Darnold's case, I don't think it has anything to do with Rodgers. The real question is did New York rush Darnold out the door too fast in favor of Zach Wilson (who had an even more dubious run in the Meadowlands)?

Samuel from Skokie, IL

Very surprised by Mike's comments on the Michigan-Ohio State skirmish after the game. Logos have a lot of meaning and superstitions behind them. People don't step on logos in locker rooms, or pretty much anywhere. Terrell Owens stepped on the Cowboy logo and caused a reaction. Michigan knew they were rubbing it in. I played rugby and teams shake hands after games. Football is different. OSU had to react.

Nobody ever has to do anything. OSU chose to react.

Dennis from Parrish, FL

The original flag planter got his comeuppance from former Packers safety George Teague! I have seen it 1,000 times, and still not enough!

George was getting upset.

Tucker from Belton, TX

I've been around football my whole life, as a player in high school and college, and now 15 years as a coach. When I read Inbox comments of people making definitive statements about what the Packers were doing schematically last week and why it might hurt them this week, I roll my eyes. People don't understand the complexity these guys are playing at. It's like watching a YouTube video on a surgery and thinking you understand medicine.

And we got a lotta amateur surgeons eager to pull out their scalpels.

Jim from St Pete Beach, FL

Am I missing an obscure movie reference or is yelling at the clouds just another Wes-ism?

I was referencing the "Old man yells at cloud" newspaper headline from "The Simpsons." I'll give ya that one for free.

John from Twin Peaks, CA

To Roly from Forest Hill, UK...Even if your brother wants to skip the Packers Everywhere pep rally in Seattle, you should still go. It's an amazing opportunity to meet other Packers fans from all over. Score some SWAG from the Packers. Meet team brass and alumni players. Say "Hi" to Mike and Wes. And overall immerse yourself in everything Packers in advance of the game. It's well worth it.

It'll just be me on this one, though. Michael has a prior commitment. You can find more details about the Seattle pep rally here.

Petey from Sarasota, FL

I, too, am satisfied with the direction this team is headed, but I'm just throwing this out there. If we beat the injured Lion, we take a big step toward winning the NFC North. But if we lose to the injured Lions, it means we're fighting with the other maybes just to get to the dance. Yes, get there and see what happens. That's true win or lose today, but this game will go a long way in making believers out of everyone on and off the field.

And reminding everyone who's run this division for most of the 21st Century.

Dean from Leavenworth, IN

No help from the Bears or the Cardinals
Time to help yourselves, Green and Gold

Somebody better grab the Packers' infinity gauntlet.

Jeff from Mequon, WI

Gents, last year the Lions came into Lambeau and kicked our butts. Then we went into Detroit and kicked their butts. This year, they came into Lambeau and kicked our butts. Now, there's only one thing left to do…

Do it again. Enjoy the game everyone.