John from Stevens Point, WI

Are we seeing a team near its peak?

Near hopefully being the operative word.

Joe from The Villages, FL

The playoff ticket is punched! Congrats. Can the Packers continue to win the line of scrimmage against the Vikings? To me that will determine who wins this game. Last year, Love had the Vikings' defense totally figured out the second time. Here is to repeating history.

I wouldn't lend anything to how last year's second meeting went. The Vikings played an overmatched QB and couldn't do much of anything. That's not happening this time around. It is all about the line of scrimmage, though. The Packers have a strong running game and the Vikings have a strong run defense. The edge there will dictate so much more.

Matt from Middleton, WI

Hi Mike, last New Year's Eve I went to the Packer/Viking game in Minneapolis. The Vikings were less than competitive. I left the game believing the Vikings wouldn't be a factor in the division for a couple years. Of course I was wrong and hate to admit it but it's a pretty remarkable turnaround.

O'Connell can coach, man. No different than LaFleur. The Packers got to this point faster with Jordan Love than many anticipated. The Vikings moved on from Cousins, brought in Darnold, signed a bunch of defensive free agents and have taken off. Leadership, environment, culture … it all factors in. I didn't think Minnesota would be a contender this year with so many new pieces, either, but here they are.

Lori from Brookfield, WI

Mike, since both the Packers and the Vikings are already in the playoffs, which team has more incentive to win on Sunday?

If we're being honest, in the bigger picture, the game means more to the Vikings. The Packers can stay alive for the No. 5 seed with a win, but the Vikings can stay alive for the No. 1 seed with a win. They're looking at two wins over the Packers and Lions to get a bye and have the road to the Super Bowl go through Minneapolis.

Lydia from Cleveland, MS

Is it too much to ask to have all of our starters back healthy for the Minnesota game and keep everyone healthy throughout our run to the Super Bowl? Please and thanks!

That is a lot to ask, but the Packers are simply going to play with the guys they got and hope to have the rest later.

Wayne from Stevens Point, WI

OK, everyone's happy about the new pass rushing stats. Goodbye Preston Smith, and thanks for all the fish. Out with the old, in with the new. How much of the improved pass rush would you credit to in-with-the-old Kenny Clark finally recovering from his big toe injury? Imagine a big toe injury and trying to push off into an opposing NFL line. Clark is being ignored by II fans.

There's no question a healthier Clark is a factor, as is a healthier Wyatt, who needed some time to get all the way back from his ankle injury. I also think guys like T.J. Slaton and Kingsley Enagbare are playing maybe the best ball of their young careers right now.

CJ from Marshfield, WI

Spoff, during the NO game the announcers noted GB in the top 10 in sacks, which surprised me. As of now, MN is fifth and GB is sixth. Other pass-rushing stats are harder to find. Where does the Pack rank in QB pressures and hits? What about individual team leaders? Gary always seems to be breathing on the opposing QB.

Pro Football Reference has the Packers ranked 14th in total pressures and 15th in QB hits. Gary is the team leader in both categories. His 24 pressures are twice as many as the next teammate, as Devonte Wyatt and Enagbare have 12 apiece, and Clark has 11. His 14 QB hits top Wyatt's nine and Enagbare's eight.

Jon from Willmar, MN

Big test against the Vikings. Should be a great game. Pack needs to control the clock and keep their defense from getting worn out against this very good offense. What do you see is needed to beat the Vikes?

This year's Packers have shown that coming out of the gates strong is a good formula for success. It gets the opposing defense on its heels and allows Green Bay's defense to be aggressive. When you look at the three division losses, the Packers fell behind 28-0 to the Vikes, 17-3 to the Lions, and 10-0 to the Lions. Even in the Week 1 loss to the Eagles, the Packers were up 6-0 early but should've been up more. It wasn't the fast start it could've been, and it cost them. This team is at its best when it throws the first punches and lands them.

Brian from Sugar Land, TX

Rather than asking what the Packers need to do to defeat Minnesota, what areas will the Vikings try to exploit versus Green Bay to bring home a W?

They'll want to clamp down on Jacobs so they can throw all those exotic looks at Love on third downs. Offensively, I suspect they'll have different thoughts regarding their passing attack if Alexander plays and is matched up on Jefferson a fair amount, or if he's still out and the Packers play a lot of zone. If I'm them, I look to get Jefferson going early, force the Packers to adjust, and then start spreading the ball around.

Jon from Temecula, CA

When Dillion went down before the season, I thought we were toast. In today's NFL, it is rare that RB position can have "THE guy," you need a whole backfield. But when Wilson or Brooks is on the field, I have just as much confidence as when Josh Jacobs is out there. Granted, not all things are equal, but how are young and late-round drafted players playing with this type of swagger? Chris Brooks and Emanuel Wilson are playing like some of these defensive veterans stole their lunch money.

I mentioned in my mid-week chat how Jacobs not only has set a physical tone for the whole offense, but he's set an example the other running backs follow. There's no denying that.

Shannon from Ovilla, TX

Is it just me or is this year's team more physical than past years? Running backs and tight ends delivering blows to defenders, hard-hitting tackles on defense and power blocking. On Monday night I recall an early run to the right that didn't look like it was going to do much but Kraft made a big block springing Jacobs for like 9 or so yards. Love watching this team bully people with toughness.

This also is addressed in the chat. It's interesting how the combination of newcomers – Jacobs to the running game plus Hafley & Co. coordinating a new defense – have gone hand in hand in cranking up the physicality of this team.

Scott from Palos Park, IL

Gary has not put up huge sack numbers (good but not great) this season but to my untrained eyes he really appears to have upped his game in terms of setting the edge in the running game. Is he grading out better than past years in this department?

This is the best the Packers collectively have defended the run in a number of years. It's part physicality (see above) and part adherence to assignments by all involved.

Michael from Bloomington, IN

Individual skill position players can get on so-called "heaters" (like Josh Jacobs currently). But the O-line is proving that a collective can also go on a heater. Would love to know what was said or done at halftime of the Rams game way back in Week 5. After a bad first half they came out and dominated the rest of that game and for 10 weeks hence it's been superior play from that group. Relatedly, is this the most physical team in the Favre/Rodgers/Love era?

That's going back a ways. I don't want to get into comparisons, because the '95-97 and '03 Favre teams played a physical brand of ball, as did the '09-10 and '13-14 Rodgers teams. As for the O-line, other than the Thursday night first quarter at Detroit, that group has controlled the line of scrimmage for a robust stretch of games now.

Bill from Raleigh, NC

Hi II, one thing I saw in the first game with the Vikings is that when we tried some blitzes, the Vikings had screen passes called exactly where our blitzes were coming from. As if they knew exactly what was coming and made the perfect play call. Aside from shutting out a depleted Saints' offense, do you think we've become better at hiding our intended defensive calls in the latter part of the season?

I think so, and the first half in Seattle against Geno Smith was a good example of effective disguise, particularly with coverages. This game will provide another big test in that regard.

Kirsten from Madison, WI

Insiders, regarding the Packers' impressive depth, am I right in thinking that (in addition to it reflecting great drafting) that's a lovely byproduct of having a young team? It seems to me that youth = first contracts = not spending the entire budget on expensive superstars. We can afford Love and JJ and X and still fill out the roster with talented up-and-comers versus talented already-arriveds.

Bingo.

Steve from Hilton Head, SC

Last three interceptions have been player first, Carrington Valentine, Edgerrin Cooper and Zayne Anderson. Can we make it a fourth this week?

Sounds like it's Javon Bullard's turn. Or maybe Isaiah McDuffie's.

Bayport from Suamico, WI

What player on the Packers has surprised you the most? Someone contributing in a way that wasn't foreseen in the preseason. Thanks and Merry Christmas.

Keisean Nixon. I never would've thought he'd play as much boundary corner as he has, and as the defense's top guy at that spot for so many games. His season has been vastly underrated.

Gary from Neenah, WI

Here's a uniform/equipment question. On the back of all helmets, is the U.S. flag emblem. On some helmets, another flag appears next to it. What is the significance?

Players can display another country's flag on their helmet if they've lived part of their lives there or had a parent or grandparent born there.

Jennifer from Middleton, WI

Okaaay, I guess I will accept Pete Carroll's gum chomping twice a year if it means we don't have Ben Johnson doing for the Bears what he's done for the Lions. Are we all agreed?

That seemed to come out of nowhere.

Trent from Peyton, CO

Good morning and happy holidays, II. During the broadcast on Monday night, the cameras showed Brian Gutekunst in the box vigorously writing down some notes between plays. Any insight into what he's writing and generally what his in-game processes are? I imagined he was perhaps evaluating players/coaches or something like that. Thanks as always.

You weren't the only person to ask. I'll have to find out. Maybe he just had a bunch of Christmas cards to sign. I've never taken any to the press box with me, but I have packed them on road trips in prior years.

Dan from Columbus, OH

Can we take a second and give thanks for how fortunate we are with the leadership we've had? Mark Murphy is part of the regime that traded not one but two Hall of Fame quarterbacks and we're back in the playoffs again. Thank God he doesn't have a teenager playing Madden somewhere.

I'm just going to leave that one alone.

Johnny from Madison, WI

I still like that division winners get the top seeds. Your schedule is most similar to your division rivals, so it's the most apples-to-apples comparison we have. Obviously there's some "chicken and egg" going on, but the divisions the NFC North played, AFC South and NFC West, are among the worst record-wise which helps bolster our records relative to other NFC teams.

The playoff seeding structure isn't changing, folks.

Kevin from San Francisco, CA

Humor me a bit on why the 5th seed matters. If Green Bay wins out and things fall into place, the wild cards would be Packers, Vikings, and likely Commanders. Green Bay and Minnesota have better records than the division winners of the South and West and could defeat them. Washington has already beaten Philly once, and I wouldn't be surprised if they won in Philadelphia. If that Christmas wish all comes to pass, it's a home playoff game in Lambeau for the divisional round.

Take care of business and see where the chips fall.

Sam from Janesville, WI

I keep hearing it said that if the Lions have the first seed locked up by Week 18 they could rest the starters and play spoiler to the Packers getting the fifth seed. I disagree. Dan Campbell is built different. There is no way he plays soft, especially against a division rival. I honestly think his locker room would question that decision if he did. They are playing hard 'til the end. That being said, just beat the Vikings.

See above.

Mike from Algonquin, IL

Hi Mike, the Packers and Vikings each have explosive passing games and attacking defenses. This game is really setting up to favor the team who can run the ball better and convert manageable first downs in key moments. What better time for a Jacobs vs. Jones showdown, with Love vs. Darnold also part of a sensational double bill? Youth vs. experience in a heavyweight bout. The field will be electric.

The atmosphere should be outstanding.

Eric from Kenosha, WI

Merry Christmas, and thanks for all you do to keep us informed and entertained, even through the holidays. Matt LaFleur has a gift of getting his team playing their best at the end of the season, but he needs to find the key to sustaining that all the way to February. Will this be the year? It feels good to know they're in and we'll get to find out.

Happy Friday.