Douglas from Parker, CO

When "serenity now" has been depleted, you can turn to "hoochie mama." But always remember, "serenity now"... insanity later.

Oh I'm aware, and it just so happens I'm doing a second day in a row while our good friend Weston recovers from a sick day. Get well soon, buddy.

Julian from Gastonia, NC

Heading into the stretch run, the game against the Saints will hopefully see more touches from other running backs besides Josh Jacobs as well the return of Luke Musgrave. I think it would be very beneficial for these players to see more game action now before the postseason begins. What are your thoughts?

It would be great if the offense could get Musgrave back and start working him in these last few games. He's going to need some time to get up to game speed. As for Jacobs, as these last few weeks of the regular season unfold, I suspect discussions will take place regarding his workload and spelling him more with Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks. LaFleur won't be taking anything for granted, but he's also not blind to the bigger picture.

Jonathan from Rockville, MD

Bryan Bresee played his high school ball not from where I live. People were talking about him being a first-round draft pick when he was a sophomore. I recall there being a clip of him doing a kip-up a la Tucker Kraft, which is impressive for a 260-pound tight end and kind of insane for a 300-pound tackle. He might be the most athletically gifted big man since Donald or Suh. How do the Packers handle him?

He's a guy toward whom the line can shade help. He's usually matched up on a guard, and without a pure nose tackle across from him, the center can keep his head on a swivel and chip in when needed. I'm sure all teams plan for him but he's still got 7½ sacks to lead their team, so he's a problem. O-line coach Luke Butkus mentioned his motor the other day and how he never takes a play off, so the guys up front can never relax against him.

Marin from West Lawn, PA

With the possibility of Alvin Kamara not playing, how much will his absence affect the looks of the Packers' run defense?

If Kamara is out for the Saints, that's a huge loss. He's their leading rusher and receiver, and he made that dynamite catch for a TD on their trick play last week. But don't sleep on Kendre Miller. He's had a handful of runs for double-digit yardage in limited duty.

Tim from Carpentersville, IL

In reading your list of worst Packer losses I am kind of surprised Jan. 11, 2004, isn't there. Fourth-and-26 with the addition of blowing a 14-point lead late then a Favre INT leading to loss in OT of divisional game. And to Freddie Mitchell, not even to TO. Ugh, even if we just played deep zone and tackled him prior to 28-yard gain, we win. Still hurts.

I hear you but again, divisional round, not championship, and for the record, the Packers didn't lead by 14 at any time after the midpoint of the second quarter in that game.

Steven from Balsam Lake, WI

Regarding the worst postseason losses in Packers history, the 2007 (Jan. 2008) NFC title game would like a word.

Another one at the top of the next tier, but as painful as it was, realistically the Packers were lucky that game went to overtime with Tynes missing two late kicks. Green Bay never threatened to score at crunch time despite numerous chances. Barely hanging in there is how it felt to me at the time. Would've been great to win, obviously, but I draw a hard line below the top three, and then there's a whole 'nother, rather extensive, group right behind.

Dale from Prescott, WI

The fair-catch kick is a new one to me! First time in 48 years. Why is this not used more? Must be game-specific instances that dictate it.

Exactly. A team can try a free kick after a fair catch anytime, but in doing so it's also surrendering possession, so it's the end-of-half situation with the clock expired (or nearly expired) that presents the most sensible opportunity.

Mike from Geneva, IL

Mike mentioned Crosby coming up just short on a 69-yard free kick after a fair catch. Had he made it, would that be considered an NFL record for the longest field goal in league history? It kind of feels like cheating the system with no rush, but rules are rules.

I've long wondered the same thing. I think it would've counted as the longest field goal in league history, but I honestly can't say for sure. Thursday night's is in the official play-by-play as "57-yard field goal" with no annotation it was a free kick. Maybe they would've put an asterisk next to it? I don't know. I wish we would've found out.

Jeremy from Brookfield, WI

Will De'Vondre Campbell's suspension cost him enough money to impact the compensatory draft pick the Packers get from losing him?

The Packers weren't getting a compensatory pick for Campbell regardless. He was released in March. His contract did not expire, and it's only players who become free agents via expiring contracts who count in the compensatory pick process.

Bob from Ashburn, GA

What is the incentive for a player on a practice squad to move to another team's practice squad? Is it more money or the hope for being on the 53?

Usually it's opportunity to get to the 53 and/or be elevated for game action.

Matt from Kula, HI

Mike says he tunes out the traditional tv announcers as do I and I'm guessing many others. After Madden almost none of them add anything I'm interested in. Years ago one of the networks experimented with a no announcer game just letting the stadium announcer and crowd noise come through. In the SEC title game this year one of the broadcasts offered this. I wish this would catch on for both NFL and college games.

I'll pay attention if there's a rules explanation I feel I need to hear, but that's about it. I do have to keep the volume up enough at home, though, or my wife won't watch any games with me.

Shannon from Ovilla, TX

As we prepare for the playoffs I see a bunch of questions about being able to beat Detroit or Philadelphia on the road, maybe even Minnesota now. We should not overlook the other two current division leaders. Tampa has wins against Detroit and Philadelphia and the Rams beat Minnesota. The current top six in the NFC looks very competitive. Maybe want Seattle and Atlanta to pull out division championships?

It'll fall how it's going to fall. If the Seahawks beat the Vikings and Rams to win that division, everyone will be talking about how hot they are. If the QB change in Atlanta starts a surge, Michael Penix Jr. will be the story of the first round. And you didn't even mention Washington, which has a young QB figuring it out like Jordan Love did last year. If the Commanders beat the Eagles this weekend, watch out. That's why I agreed with the question yesterday about anything happening in the NFC. I firmly believe that.

Bitty from Smock, PA

The win in Seattle was well timed (or preferably "about time"). But, did I miss something? No mention all week in II of the almost flawless OL stats, only one off. holding call at end of second quarter, and one false start at end of third qtr. Time to give some Atta Boys to the OL.

I've mentioned in other places how Love's only sack in the last three games was on the first play at Detroit.

Dan from Inver Grove Heights, MN

Mike, thanks for another enlightening WYMM, which is my favorite feature of the week. With so many possible stories in any game, how do you decide what to focus on? Do you get tipped off from the coaches to check a particular player or scheme? Do you keep a list of underappreciated nuances and wait for the Pack to major in one? Just watch the film and see what jumps out at you?

Speaking of giving kudos to the O-line this week … the approach to that piece after each game can vary. Sometimes I'll make mental notes of things while I'm live blogging the game that I'll want to take a closer look at. Other times I just fire up the game film and see who or what catches my eye. Time-wise, I normally can only concentrate on one side of the ball or the other, and I try to divide my attention fairly evenly over the course of the season between the offense and defense. Mostly I do my best to stay true to the tenor of the title – showing what hasn't been noticed. Somebody who has a big game, like Edgerrin Cooper last week, isn't likely to be the focus because everyone saw what he did, though occasionally there are enough smaller details to still make it worthwhile.

Jason from Austin, TX

The question regarding flopping emphasizes the need for full-time refs, IMO. A full-time ref can spend the week preparing for the teams, and players who they're about to referee. If there's a player who is known to flop, the ref will see that in their research and be prepared to not throw a flag. It also applies to players' tendencies in general. I've heard coaches tell refs what to look out for on the other team, but it would be nice if the refs already did their homework on the matter.

As Wes noted earlier this week, officials do a lot of homework on their own, so I don't want to discount that. Perhaps making their jobs full-time would allow for more background and film study before each game, but I still maintain the onus is on the league to help them more by continuing to expand replay and take some of the difficult calls involving complicated rules off their plate.

Kevin from Pinson, AL

Gentlemen, when Xavier McKinney was acquired, I seem to remember an early piece on him talking about missed tackles, and how he was touted as being a sure tackler. Has he lived up to this billing?

I don't have any stats in front of me, but the eye test says yes. The only glaring missed tackle for him that pops into my head was D'Andre Swift's 40-yard TD run at Chicago. He's probably missed another here or there, but he's come as advertised in that department.

Steven from Tucson, AZ

In comparing and contrasting the start in the Detroit game and the start in the Seattle game, I have concluded it's better to be the puncher than the punchee.

And to think I wondered about stepping in the ring with Mike Tyson to find out for sure. In all seriousness, my experience covering this league has taught me more games are decided by the counterpunches, or being able to withstand them, than the opening swings.

Craig from Brookfield, WI

As a sportswriter, if you could get a college degree in any of the following NFL-related majors, which one would give you the best foundation for doing your job? Capology, Draftology, Tradeology, Seedology, Flexology, Ruleology, Jarology, or Clinical Psychology?

Purely as a beat reporter, the first two. To write this column, the last one. Have a great weekend, everybody.