David from San Antonio, TX

Well, you guys pretty much nailed it on Final Thoughts. In hindsight, plenty of positives to choose from! Please get it right next weekend too!

You didn't need to be an NFL coach to know takeaways were going to be critical in this game and the Packers got the job done. The Packers converted the two first-half turnovers into 13 points, and it made all the difference.

James from Asheville, NC

As much an observation as a question but, due to New Year's Eve obligations, I wasn't able to watch the game. Looking at the highlights I was amazed how wide open the Packers receivers were and impressed with how this young group aggressively attacks the ball, going to where it's headed rather than waiting for it. Does the absence of having that one "go-to" guy make the receiver core a better overall unit? It sure seems like it.

Matt LaFleur is the last person to take credit for anything, but I thought LaFleur was cooking with his play-calling against Minnesota. Jordan Love was fantastic, Aaron Jones and Jayden Reed were electric, and the offensive line was a brick wall against Minnesota's pressure packages. Considering all the injuries at receiver, I came away from the game feeling that was the Packers' most well-executed offensive performance of the season and LaFleur had a big role in that.

Mark from Bristol, UK

We were desperate to get Aaron Jones back earlier in the season to help us. Watching the game Sunday, all I could think was how fresh he looked and how much more valuable it is to have him available to us now, along with a passing game that is coming together. Both the run and passing games working will only help our defense. More rested and refreshed.

Jones looked like a 24-year-old running back exploding through the hole against the Vikings. Like I tweeted during the game, it cannot be overstated how important his return has been for the Packers with all the injuries they've endured. Jones not only got things going in the first half but also keyed the successful four-minute offenses that drained clock in the second. Jones said he feels as good as he has all season and it's showing.

Keith from Yorktown, VA

The three games with a fully/mostly healthy Aaron Jones just happen to be the three highest scoring games for the Packers (38, 33 and 33). Oh, what might have been?

It's not about what might have been. It's what is still possible.

Chris from San Francisco, CA

As noted in the "Packers' long third-quarter TD drive put Vikings away" article, the 13-play, 90-yard drive is what essentially put the game out of reach. Two plays after the Jones' 25-yard run to start the drive, GB was faced with a third-and-8 and Love found Heath for a 13-yard grab. The position players on the field for what was still an important third-down play were Patrick Taylor, Tucker Kraft, Malik Heath, Bo Melton, and Samori Toure. In my opinion, that says all that needs to be said about the growth and character of this team.

And it speaks to the development of Love, both the quarterback and the leader. He has been nothing short of sensational during the second half of the season. It's not just the numbers. It's his consistency. I have no concern when the ball is in his hands. Quietly, Love has now thrown the third-most touchdown passes (30) in the NFL this season.

Andrew from Pella, IA

What an impressive victory by the team! So many standout plays and players! What are the 2-3 traits you have seen from Jordan Love that makes him the Packers' franchise QB for the next decade?

Composure, pocket awareness and grit.

Dan from Morehead City, NC

How many of Jordan Love's touchdown passes this year have been that receiver's first NFL touchdown catch? My research, which could be right, but probably isn't, shows seven. My research of NFL records can't find this statistic. Again, could be right, but probably isn't. So, I think JL has set an NFL record and it could stand for a long time.

That question might be a challenge for even Elias to figure out, but your math is correct – Love has been the quarterback on seven players' first NFL touchdown catch (Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, Luke Musgrave, Kraft, Heath, Melton, and Ben Sims).

Johnny from Nasawaupee, WI

Happy New Year II! Are Jordan and Aaron the first Packers in the history of the organization to don Happy New Year hats during a postgame-sideline interview? They were stylin'!

Jones very much enjoyed that hat. He even wore it on the ride home.

Lori from Brookfield, WI

Wes, Happy New Year! Has Bo secured a regular roster spot?

Melton deservingly signed to the 53-man roster on Monday and I think that's a move that can be uplifting to the entire locker room. Melton has been a popular teammate who earned the respect of his peers for his consummate professionalism. He easily could've signed to another practice squad after not making the Packers' 53 out of training camp, but Melton stuck with it. Now, he will have an integral part to play in a Packers playoff push.

Stan from Merrill, WI

The offense was heating up yesterday. You could say it reached a Melton point (sorry). Do you think the prolific offense allowed the defense to play a bit more aggressively knowing the offense could cover for them if they gave up some points?

Perhaps, but the defense pushed the pace from the opening whistle. I don't know what the analytics say, but it sure felt like the Packers blitzed as much as they have all season and it translated to the physicality with which defenders played. Quay Walker, who registered his first sack of the year, lauded Joe Barry for the play-calling afterwards.

Brian from Maple Grove, MN

I would have to say Gutey's draft this past year is the best the Packers have had in recent memory. Where would you rank it over the last 20 years? I understand you don't know the full impact sometimes until three or four years later.

You have to give these things time, but I don't think I'm going out on a limb when saying the Packers wouldn't be in this position without the immediate contributions of the 2023 rookie class. Looking specifically at the offensive skill positions, Tom Fanning from Packers communication forwarded a stat Monday that Green Bay now has the most receptions by rookies (174) and receiving yards by rookies (2,026) since the 1970 NFL-AFL merger. That's big time.

Jack from Moweaqua, IL

The offense looks different with a lead. I was curious how so, and J-Love has a 13/0 TD ratio with a 113 QBR. Do you think there's a confidence factor that bleeds into the rest of team when they see their offense rolling and is that why starting fast seems to be an emphasis of ML's?

It's not just the offense. This defense plays better with the lead, too. During the second half, Barry's unit twice turned the Vikings back inside the red zone – a callback to what Green Bay did during those back-to-back wins over Detroit and Kansas City. Momentum is key but playing the game within the game is equally essential.

Joey from Napa, CA

Happy New Year, Mike and Wes! The Bears' recent surge can be chalked up to a pretty straightforward game plan – run the ball, stop the run, ball control (including less turnovers from Justin Fields). They have the league's No. 1 rushing defense and rushing offense by yards. Teams with mobile QBs (ahem, Fields) and strong rushing offense/defense have seemingly been kryptonite for the Packers. How can Green Bay mitigate this seemingly obvious game plan from the Bears?

Tackling and staying disciplined. There is a bit more complexity to what Chicago is doing than you're giving the Bears credit for, but ultimately it comes down to the Packers not allowing Fields to beat them with his legs. Green Bay's run defense also will be tested by Juice Herbert, who's enjoying a late-season resurgence of his own. The Packers will have their work cut out for them on Sunday, but just like Week 1, this is doable.

Paul from Ledgeview, WI

What has keyed the Bears' improved play in December?

First and foremost, Matt Eberflus is a talented defensive play-caller. That base has already been there, but Montez Sweat has been a great pickup. He has 14 QB hits and six sacks in eight games and the Bears' defense has rallied around him. Like always, Chicago has made a big investment into its linebacker unit and it's paying dividends. The Bears are playing good football.

Detlef from Breitenstein, Germany

Without taking the Bears lightly, I am convinced this will be different than last year's win-and-in! But no matter the outcome, after going into the season without really any expectations and potentially looking into darker years to come than what Packers fans are used to over the last three decades, my mind quickly changed into a very positive and optimistic state about our new franchise quarterback and that young offense in general. I am psyched for next year and beyond. Happy New Year!

The Detroit loss will be a major storyline this week, but this is a much different Packers football team than a year ago at this time. The past is the past. You can't fear it. You gotta learn from it. Personally, I'm more concerned with the injury situation. The Packers went into Minnesota with a long injury report and left with a half dozen more names on that list. But yes, the future is very bright in Green Bay. We've learned that much already.

Fredrick from Bluffton, SC

Do you know if any after-game comment was provided about the roughing the receiver on that punt where they pulled the penalty flag? TV official said it should have been a foul.

At first, I gave Minnesota the benefit of the doubt since it wasn't an egregious hit from Mekhi Blackmon. But after re-watching the play, it seemed to me Blackmon made contact with Reed before even fielding the ball. I felt like that should have been a penalty. Thankfully, Reed secured the catch.

Ryan from London, UK

There was plenty of talk in the commentary about the Vikings benching Jaren Hall at halftime in order to protect him further. What do you think about that way of thinking? Does that ever make a real difference and are there any examples of top-quality QBs who needed to be protected like that early in their career?

Kevin O'Connell did what he felt was best for his team, but Hall was inadvertently put in a tough spot. O'Connell made it clear earlier in the week the move was made because of Nick Mullens' turnovers. Now, Hall is using ball-security as his North start. When that failed, it seemed like the shirt quickly unraveled. I wonder if the safer bet would have been to roll with Mullens, and if the Vikings lose, give Hall his first start in the finale against Detroit. Any way you slice it, the Vikings were starting their fourth QB of the season and Green Bay's defense made it look exactly like that.

JR from Silvis, IL

On the failed fourth-down attempt, would you say it was more on Melton, more on Love, or about even?

I'd call it even, but the important thing is Melton went up to Love and told his quarterback, "I’ll get you back, bro" after the two failed to connect on the fourth-down play. And he did with the 9-yard touchdown that was the dagger. That's what winners do.

Charles from New Berlin, WI

Greetings and Happy New Year II. If a team attempts a two-point try and turns it over and the defense returns it for a score, how many points are scored? GPG!

Just two. NFL owners and the competition committee made that change a few years ago, but I don't believe there's been a pick-six or fumble recovery for a score yet.

Dean from Leavenworth, IN

Déjà vu, Wes. Twelve months ago plus one day, the Packers in Lambeau facing an ascending division rival who will give all to ruin our chance. Win and in for a playoff spot. I still have nightmares. Tell me I have nothing to worry about and can sleep easy this week, Weston.

With due respect to an improving Chicago team, this regular-season finale isn't about the Bears or even the Lions last year. This is about the 2023 Packers taking their past experiences – the successes and the failures – and channeling that energy into a performance worthy of a postseason bid.

James from Appleton, WI

Complementary football can mean "I've got your back." After the muffed punt and Vikings TD, I told my brother that the offense needs to eat up six minutes and get at least three points. The offense did just that and stopped all of the Vikings' momentum from that turnover. Also, when the offense went three-and-out to start the game, the defense forced a three-and-out to get the offense's back.

This is the locker room playing for one another and that mindset has the Packers one win away from the postseason. After opening the season at Soldier Field, everything comes full circle this Sunday. Buckle up, folks.