Leandro from Lexington, KY
It feels like the only way to start this Inbox is by talking about the first play of the game. I certainly didn't give up hope, but it was impossible to ignore the sinking suspicion that we had seen this movie before.
That's as ominous as it gets, especially on the road.
Micki from Sturgeon Bay, WI
Well, we limped into the playoffs and left in an ambulance. Not an ideal ending to the season.
Indubitably.
Colleen from Blair, NE
Whelp, they were the team I thought they were based on what the season showed. They were consistent I guess, but frustrating they still had so many miscues this late. I went into last offseason with soon much hope, and right now, not so. At least we'll draft higher than half the division and I know hope will spring anew.
It will. Always does. But as I'm writing the "season-ending" Inbox column once again I'm reminded of how many people thought I was too down after last year's playoff loss, when the future seemed so bright. But I knew that was a massive opportunity that got away, and there are no guarantees you'll get chances that good again. This year is proof of that. The opportunity never materialized for an endless list of reasons, as much as everyone hoped it was just around the corner within reach, including me. There is just no substitute for being healthy and playing good football down the stretch. These Packers were the opposite, so while the result is disappointing, it's still last year I lament more. We all know what it looks like and this year never looked like that when it needed to.
Tom from Saugus, CA
I have to say that the Eagles' defense is the best I have seen since the 2019 49ers. That said, I believe our defense played well enough for us to win that game. However, with all the injuries there is no way we could have been successful against the Lions next week. That fumble on the opening kickoff certainly put a stop to the quick start we needed, but if you had told me with three turnovers and a missed FG that we would be down only six points in the fourth quarter I would have taken it. Thoughts?
The Packers' defense did play well enough to win, especially against that offense. That unit deserves a ton of credit, and I believe the defense is in good hands moving forward. It's certainly disappointing, though, after so many years of wanting to see big-time postseason performances by the defense, that two of the last three playoff exits (SF in '21 being the other) have occurred with the defense doing its job and the other two phases just having serious letdowns.
Trent from Peyton, CO
I am confused about the ruling on the opening-kickoff fumble. On replay, it appeared that Keisean Nixon initially recovered the ball and was then contacted by an Eagles player diving for the ball. That was pretty obvious, I thought, from the overhead camera angle. Therefore, he should have been down at that point. Play over, Packers' ball, right? What am I missing? That play had a massive impact on the trajectory of the ballgame.
It did, and LaFleur mentioned all the Green Bay coaches upstairs looking at the TV replays thought the Packers were going to get the ball. It has to be a bit embarrassing for the league to review that play, see a crushing helmet shot not called, and then act like the recovery was all that mattered. But safety rules, reviewable, blah blah blah, you all know my take. I digress. Nobody cares.
Steve from Land O'Lakes, FL
As bad as things went from the opening kickoff, I always thought we had a chance throughout the game. It felt much better than the previous two games. Did you feel we were still the better team despite the score?
Not at all. Not even close. The Packers made numerous mistakes on offense and special teams. The Eagles committed a few penalties but didn't have any miscues near the magnitude of Green Bay's. They were handing off on third-and-long knowing they just needed to avoid mistakes and they were going to win.
Rob from Prospect, KY
Overall the Packers got what they deserved this year. What disturbs me is the lack of physicality over the years in Green Bay. They seem to be a finesse team, which can win you enough games to make the playoffs but not get you where you need to go. Do you think there needs to be a greater element of smashmouth football that needs to be present come playoff time? I feel like we got beat up by the playground bully tonight. The Eagles simply hit us harder than we hit them.
Philly definitely won the physical battle, but I thought this Packers team had a much more physical element to it than many over the years. Green Bay ran the ball and stopped the run better than it has in a long time. That requires physicality, and lots of it. Philly had more of it. No denying that, and I expect the Eagles to be playing for the NFC title in two weeks. But this Packers team was not of the same mold as many others.
Jonathan from St. Joseph, MO
I don't wanna hear anything about the officials. The difference in the game was Eagles played hard-nose physical football and the Packers didn't. I'd even go as far to say that attributed to some of our injuries. Is that what you saw, Mike?
The Eagles brought it, and they looked like a team with something to prove after going one-and-done last year with a late collapse and everyone questioning where they were headed. Maybe that'll be the Packers next year.
Agustin from Monterrey, Mexico
Hello Mike and Wes, after another disappointing loss, I have to say this time it didn't hurt that much because the way the Packers finished regular season was way different than last one and not in a good way, so we were more hopeful than trust. The bad thing is it feels like a step back instead a forward one in the quest for a championship, mostly offensively, QB and coaching. How do you guys see it? Thanks for the outstanding job!
I don't look at how the Packers finished this year and automatically declare it a step back. The Packers weren't playing as well at the end of the season, for sure, but there's so much that goes into every year. They overcame a ton early on, got hot after the bye (five straight games with 30-plus points and QB passer rating of 100-plus), but then they got off track in Minnesota and never got back on. It happens, and that's what the coaches have to study in the offseason – how and why did the offense lose its mojo and never get it back? Did all the losses to the teams ahead of them in the standings just weigh on everyone too much? Was there something missing in the approach? I don't know those answers. But to me, every season is its own entity. The offseason is about individual improvement, and then the collective starts to put it together in training camp and over the long haul. It felt to me like the Packers were never really building on anything from last year from the moment Jordan Love got hurt in Brazil. That's when this season took on a true life of its own.
John from Byron, MN
Loved how our D battled down the stretch. Looking back at the season what was this team's Achilles heel? Felt like we had a lot of the right elements.
The Achilles heel was the inability to get out of their own way. That's why they wound up the No. 7 seed and also why they're no longer playing.
Donna from Darien, WI
After all the injuries the team suffered, it's probably a blessing in disguise that we don't have to play next week. What a sad way to go out, nonetheless.
Playoff positioning matters, momentum matters, health matters. This team wasn't checking any of the right boxes down the stretch.
Jeff from Woodridge, IL
Disappointing end to the season…starting with the end-of-year slump. ML and JL need to look in the mirror and learn from this.
I believe they will.
James from Orlando, FL
Tough loss, lousy start. But I was impressed by our gritty defense. They looked good out there. Looking forward to next year as teams will be wary of our improved defense.
The defense came a long way in this first year of a transition. A lot to build upon there. The players have bought in, both the leaders and the youth.
Matt from San Luis Obispo, CA
I know it's a long offseason, but I'm already excited about next year. We're an ascendant team, we have a lot of cap space, and I think these guys will be hungry to improve. They just need to learn the focus necessary to compete with the best. In my experience that comes with maturity, and that's what these guys are learning now. I believe these guys can get there. Thanks for another season of II. GPG!
Plenty of young players have learned plenty of lessons both this year and last. Hopefully there's a payoff to that at some point.
Travis from Menomonie, WI
As disappointing as a loss as this was I still believe in this team going forward. This team is full of young players with plenty of potential. Which player(s) still on their rookie contract can make the next step into being a difference maker next year?
Any player on his rookie contract is not a finished product as far as I'm concerned, and a bunch more young players will be brought in to push them. The Packers also have more cap room than they've had in a while. Next year's team could look quite a bit different, honestly.
Mark from Seattle, WA
Hi guys, the Josh Jacobs long run was an absolute thing of beauty.
That's probably what I'll remember about this season more than anything else – what a treat it is to watch Josh Jacobs play football. I'm so glad he's going to be around here for a while yet.
Dave from Lake Zurich, IL
NFL had its first 32-12 game in league history Saturday. A Scorigami it is.
Seems a few have been added to the list this year.
Mark from Westminster, CO
DOINK! But it goes through and Commanders win another walk off. Have you ever seen a team that is this clutch in a single season?
The run they're on is just incredible. That's five straight wins for Washington on, either literally or effectively, the last play of the game, and seven overall on the season. Seven of 13 wins on the last play. Amazing.
Jim from St. Pete Beach, FL
Mike, you're quite modest about your knowledge of Xs and Os. What's the most interesting thing you've learned from preparing WYMM? (which could be renamed What You Definitely Missed)
The more I watch film the more I understand how little things can have such a big impact when the game is played at the breakneck speed it is in the NFL. A jab step here, a shoulder shake there, a well-sold play-action fake … the list goes on. That's one lens through which this league's razor-thin margins are confirmed every week.
Matt from Middleton, WI
Young Mr. Hod is seven already. Time flies.
Tell me about it. That's 19 seasons in the books for me at packers.com.
Dustin from Seymour, WI
We have all offseason to dissect and plan for next season. Today, I'm so grateful to be a Packers fan. Seeing Denver just make it back to the playoffs after years, and watching other teams continue to struggle makes me really appreciate what the Packers have done in this transition period.
A total of 14 playoff appearances in those 19 seasons, including 13 of the last 16. I'll never take that for granted.
Angie from Madison, WI
Hey guys. Not a question just a thank you for all that you do every season. This ending makes me hurt for our team and the guys but I still love this team. Forever a fan.
The thanks is owed to all of you out there. We appreciate the loyal and faithful audience. Onto the next. Happy Monday.
