Inbox: It's a close call

Joe from Swansea, IL

I giggled at the notion of Gute and MLF drumming their fingers while waiting for Spoff to leave the building so they can get on with their offseason work. Is Spoff's dedication what is separating us from taking that next step? Begone, Spoff, and let us ascend.

All in due time, dear readers.

Jason from Baraboo, WI

Is it crazy to think the Packers could be the preseason favorite in the NFC North next year? The Lions may be heading into the season without either of their coordinators from '24, the Vikings will essentially be starting a rookie QB coming off an ACL repair, and the Bears are likely not going to have an overnight miracle in the Windy City. Go for it, Gutey!

Front office work may be in a lull, but I see baloney season is in full swing.

Dave from Waterford, WI

Do the Packers have meetings to attend now or do they get the next several months off?

Players are off until the voluntary offseason program begins in mid-April.

Adrian from Oregon City, OR

Snow, cold, and wind meant slips, fumbles and drops were key in Philadelphia and Buffalo. And, it's the playoffs – anything can happen. That's what football was meant to be, in my book. Sad that Lambeau will soon be the only outdoor stadium in the NFC North. Do fans know what they're missing?

Looks like last weekend was it for those conditions in this year's playoffs. It's supposed to be in the 30s in KC and pushing upper 40s in Philly (perhaps with rain) on Sunday.

Matt from Madison, WI

Besides the turnovers and QB play last weekend, we saw some big fourth-down conversions. ATMR (WCBR), the four remaining teams have the best fourth-down conversion rates. All over 70% is crazy!

Indeed. Washington 87.0, Buffalo 72.7, Kansas City 70.6, Philly 70.4.

Dan from Minneapolis, MN

I note that viewership is down for both full rounds of the NFL playoffs this season. Could be a blip, or perhaps a trend. Do you think the random officiating performance may now be turning off the casual NFL fan, or could it be the playoffs have expanded too much? Thoughts? Thank you.

Dallas and San Francisco didn't make the playoffs this year. Those markets definitely impact ratings. And the Packers played just one game instead of two.

Sean from Bel Air, MD

Brady and the Patriots make AFC title game in eight consecutive seasons. Astounding statistic that you assume you'll never see again in these times of parity. Well, Mahomes and the Chiefs just punched their ticket for the seventh consecutive season. 2010 was the last time an AFC title game was played without Brady/Mahomes. Crazy.

Meanwhile since 2010, Washington is the 15th different NFC team (out of 16) to appear in the conference title game.

Mike from Geneva, IL

A lot of reporting has been about Daniels' success being related to his use of VR training. He increases the speed to 1.75x and there are infinite examples he can process. He claims this has slowed down the game for him and there is no physical exertion required. In a copycat league, how long before this technology becomes the norm for all QBs, not just young ones? His development from a decent college QB at Arizona State to Heisman winner to rookie success is pretty remarkable.

The method is sure to spread after a success story like his.

Gordon from Newport Beach, CA

II, when did it occur to you that the Commanders were legit? Week 3 Bengals …

No. Washington was 7-5 after 12 games, so certainly improved. But their ninth win required stopping a two-point conversion on the final play in New Orleans, against the same banged-up Saints team the Packers smoked 34-0 eight days later. They got on a run of last-second victories (five in a row) and waltzed into Detroit feeling good with nothing to lose. They're fun to watch, but to me they're simply another example of "get in and see what happens."

Ted from Amherst, NY

No question, just a comment. In suburban Buffalo, I have a different take on running quarterbacks: The reason the Bills have a chance at the Super Bowl this year is they found a running game to keep Josh Allen healthy, and the reason they exited early last year is Allen was too beaten up by 17 games of being a running QB.

Allen's rushing TDs dropped from just 15 to 12 year over year, but Buffalo's top three RBs' rushing TDs jumped from six to 20.

Tom from Fort Myers, FL

With the increase of prolific running quarterbacks, it is incumbent on the defenses to figure out the best way to control that part of the offense. It may change the type of defenders that are drafted as well. There is always an adjustment period for defenses when the latest and greatest offensive strategies emerge.

This also adds to the variance of defensive game plans and approaches based on the opponent, making it even more of a week-to-week league.

Randy from Trophy Club, TX

Not a football question, but what is your take on the controversial safety taken by the Chiefs to make their winning margin nine points and thus go below the spread? I'm not a gambler nor a conspiracy theorist … but it sure makes one think.

I've seen the gambling hullabaloo. It was a smart play. With 15 seconds left, Houston's only chance for a miracle win was to block the punt for a touchdown and then try an onside kick. By taking the safety, the Chiefs maintained a two-score lead (23-14) and took away that possibility.

Andy from Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Even if pace of play is a concern for expanded replay assist, I think it's been proven that the audience isn't going anywhere. We will watch. Even then, it seems to me like more advertising opportunities.

Ding ding ding! Especially with that split-screen stuff.

Eric from Keene, NH

Norway's professional soccer league is ending video review, after a revolt by fans that involved throwing fish cakes, among other things, onto the field to disrupt play. The prevailing sentiment among Norwegian fans seems to be that video review sucks the joy from the game. They would prefer to respond to the game that unfolds before them, warts and all, to having "big brother" tell them if and when they can celebrate a moment. I'm wondering if they're onto something.

What's the level of video and replay technology used to televise Norwegian soccer games to all the fans watching at home? That's the only comparison that matters.

Philip from Scottsdale, AZ

I know Wes warned against conjecture yesterday, but Caleb from Knoxville's question got me wondering. Do we really think Mahomes would have been Mahomes in Chicago? And would Trubisky have fizzled if he had two years behind Alex Smith under Andy Reid? I think organizations are as much a factor as the player.

Environment counts. Always does.

Matt from Middleton, WI

The Lions get two third-rounders for Aaron Glenn. That seems to be a little much.

That's been the standard compensation within the minority coach/executive rule since 2020. The 49ers have cashed in on it five times (Saleh, Mayhew, McDaniel, Carthon, Ryans).

Dale from Prescott, WI

When is the last time, if ever, a team lost its OC and DC in the same offseason? Mercy.

It just happened two years ago. After the Eagles went to the Super Bowl, OC Shane Steichen got Indy's head job, and DC Jonathan Gannon took Arizona's.

Bill from Mediapolis, IA

I was really excited when we drafted Lukas Van Ness. I know he was younger than usual when he was drafted. He should be getting some of those man muscles now. What should we expect to see in his next coming chapter? I think this will be his breakout year.

His development has to be one of the top priorities for the new defensive line coach.

Clem from La Crosse, WI

Tyler Davis … I cannot imagine how difficult the past two years have been for him. How do players stay motivated to keep working on rehab especially for two consecutive years? Aren't they pretty isolated? I doubt money is enough motivation. Nice story.

Love of the game. Those who love it and have that drive to give it what they have to offer will fight for the chance, like Davis, as long as they can.

Paul from Barnsley, UK

When a team's offensive play caller is also the head coach who then needs to manage the game while the offense is off the field, is this a disadvantage when it comes to making adjustments in real time? I imagine not having the play caller involved in sideline discussions may reduce the possible effect of any changes.

It shouldn't because communication, whether on the headset or sideline benches, is constant. If LaFleur feels the offense was slow to adjust in certain instances in part because he was the play caller, then he'll have to consider that. But I don't believe that's how he feels about it.

Joel from Lenexa, KS

Mike and Wes, thanks for providing your balanced perspective. Regarding this year's offense, perhaps we strayed away from duplicity for leveraging Josh Jacobs' skills. Matt always liked running and passing plays where the offense's initial steps were identical. Tweaking the blocking for the running game was largely successful. Does this show up in your tape review? Perhaps Matt can and will adopt more duplicity with another year of having Jacobs' talents to work with.

That's my anticipation.

Doug from Salem, OR

You mentioned that DCs have the entire offseason to study rookie quarterbacks and learn to how to defend them. I most definitely agree. C.J. Stroud is one example. He had a good season but I don't think he lived up to expectations. Which is also part of the problem. I think Jordan Love experienced a bit of that last season. As you have said he is not a finished product and I completely agree. ML also has the entire offseason to make adjustments too. All I see is an upward trend. Your thoughts?

I see the avenue heading upward to be open. Wide open. That's what I see.

Ben from Cripple Creek, CO

The thing with Goff, Stafford, Hurts, etc., is that we really know what we're gonna get from them – both their floor and their ceiling. We've had a glimpse of what Jordan's ceiling can be, and also his floor when battling through injuries. I know plenty will disagree with me, but give me Love and we'll see how he does the next two seasons.

Amen.

Bob from Sparks, NV

Here's a thought toward the future. A year ago, the Philadelphia Eagles were looking like contenders in the NFC until they totally collapsed at the end of the season, including playoffs. Sound familiar? Look at them now! I hope the Packers can follow their example next season. GPG!

I believe I suggested the very same thing while writing this column on the plane back from Philly.

Chuck from Richfield, WI

The speed and execution of the Eagles' coverage and return special teams stood out to me in their playoff wins over GB and LAR. I hope we can cut our 19 ST penalties in half next year. It is such a tone setter to be clean and fast. My question is, outside of the specialists, who do you feel was the Packers' ST player of the year in 2024?

If not picking Brandon McManus, it's a close call amongst Edgerrin Cooper, Zayne Anderson and Eric Wilson on the coverage teams. Hard to separate them.

Bruce from Appleton, WI

Will the Packers be looking for cornerbacks in the draft this year or free agency?

Maybe both.

Darrel from Pueblo, CO

II, what do you think are the chances that we draft an ILB thumper to play between the tackles and move Cooper and Quay Walker to OLB? With their speed, they can cover, blitz and play the run. I'd sure like to see that!

They might've drafted that guy in the third round last year. Time will tell.

Sherry from Washington, IL

Mike, regarding Paul from Vientiane's comment about the "meet the players" segments, I always listen for the high schools that get mentioned. But the coolest one I've ever heard was a Lions player (Anzalone I believe, coming back from injury on one of the last games of the regular season) who said, "Father of two." I am not a Lions fan, but have to admire him acknowledging his family like that.

My favorite was Justin Pugh's last year, when the Giants signed him to their practice squad coming off an ACL rehab and then the very next week he was activated and starting on SNF. For his intro, he said, "Justin Pugh, straight off the couch."

Richard from Livermore, CA

After watching many higher seeds fall in the playoffs, I recall the first years I watched the NFL when the champs of the Eastern Conference played the champs of the West for the title, lending more importance to all the regular-season games played. A playoff structure has crept into all sports now, including colleges and even high schools, teaching us to just play good enough to qualify for the playoffs, but make whatever adjustments you need to keep your team healthy and peaking at playoff time.

Which is why continuing to add games to the regular season is all about money, brings nothing to the competitive table, and only increases the chances injuries will impact season outcomes. Once an 18-game slate is negotiated at the bargaining table, it won't be long before 19 and 20 are on the docket, too. I'll probably be collecting my league pension by then, but it'll happen.

Markus from Aurora, CO

Insiders, the conference championship round is just around the corner. Personally, I'm most interested in seeing how Buffalo and Washington fare against Kansas City and Philadelphia, respectively. Maybe it will be a road team doubleheader victory Sunday?

I honestly won't be surprised by any of the four possible Super Bowl matchups at this point. I'm rooting for both road teams but mostly want to see good, competitive football without controversy. Too much to ask? We shall see. I'll be opening the laptop Sunday night for Monday morning's column, probably during or right after the second game, so let me know what you think.

Douglas from Parker, CO

Did you see? Buffalo has already been flagged for roughing the passer.

Happy Friday.