Gina from Waukesha, WI

I just wanted to say, Thank You. I noticed that you did the most recent Inbox on Christmas Day. I know that you are giving up family time to answer the questions and I just want you know that we appreciate your time. Merry Christmas; Happy Holidays and you, Mike and your families.

Fine folks like yourself, Gina, make it well worth it. I hope you and everyone reading Insider Inbox had a wonderful Christmas.

Zak from Huntington Beach, CA

Conspiracy theory: Wes breaking the first rule of the Inbox was a ruse. It's merely a ploy to see if Mike voluntarily offers to pick up an extra Inbox column whenever Wes gets sick the next time, to avoid Wes "accidentally" breaking more rules. Wes is playing the long game, but he can't pull the cheesehead over my eyes.

You got me. The ruse is up.

John from Topeka, KS

At the risk of perseveration, I think the topic of "next game" has more to do with the sheer breadth of possibilities at (respect to Hartford) Week 1. It's the same reason I can't be bothered with mock drafts in September – any genuine thought put into the exercise is wasted. We're in the playoffs now, and with only two games to go, the few permutations left are open for discussion. It's not Week 1 anymore – no rules broken, as far as I can see.

And week by week, the postseason picture comes more into focus. Like I've been talking about, though, the Packers have Washington hot on their heels. You've won 11 of your first 15. Now is not the time to slow down.

Andy from Danvers, IL

What is one area you think the Packers need to focus on and get better at this week in order to beat the Vikings?

I don't think much has changed since the first meeting between the two teams. The Packers need to run the ball well against the NFL's second-ranked run defense. Jordan Love and the offensive line needs to solve Brian Flores' pressure patterns. Defensively, Green Bay can't let Sam Darnold get comfortable while also containing his "Big Three" of Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and Aaron Jones as much as possible. Oh, and then also deal with one of the loudest stadiums in the NFL. It's quite the laundry list, I know.

Mark from Hudson, WI

You never want to look past an opponent in the NFL, but the Saints game felt like a good opportunity to play a team with a completely overmatched offense but a (reportedly) stout defense to continue to develop offensively without a huge threat of a loss. A very strong effort for the most part, but wouldn't it improve our chances against elite teams if Jordan Love would settle for taking short gains to move the sticks on third down versus airing it out for the big play so often? Seems to happen a lot.

Love hit a fair amount of checkdowns against New Orleans, but I see your point. It's a balancing act. There's something you can learn from every game and every opponent. This is an explosive offense with an embarrassment of riches at the skill positions. Love is never going to stop looking for that big play.

Dean from Leavenworth, IN

On the Packers' first TD to Dontayvion Wicks, I thought live it was a poor effort by the DB to draw an OPI flag on Wicks. Watching the replay, it was almost comical. In today's NFL, the refs often throw a flag not because they saw something but because they "think they saw something." Isn't that worthy of an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty? Should it be? I feel if the NFL started penalizing the floppers maybe that would put an end to that garbage.

I think the touchdown was enough punishment. The whole sequence was an all-timer and demonstrated the difficulty of flopping for an OPI when the receiver is quite literally standing there on a stop route. The play extended, Wicks rolled off and Love found him for the score.

Kerry from Lakewood Ranch, FL

With this three-headed-monster running back room, will there be a spot for MarShawn Lloyd?

Champagne problems, Kerry, but Lloyd's gotta get healthy first. As we often say, you never know what the circumstances will look like when Lloyd is ready to return. Jars on the shelf.

Bill from Wilmington, DE

Wes, I didn't really notice Musgrave Monday night. Did he get any snaps? GPG!

Luke Musgrave played eight snaps, which is right around the 10-play estimate I had for him going into the game. The Packers are building him back up for the playoff run.

John from Belleview, FL

Three things. One, I would much rather take a 15-yard penalty for tripping than have a punt blocked. Two, I almost hate to put this out there, but the Packers' defenders don't miss many tackles, do they? Few big plays after catch. Three, thank you for all you guys do. Having worked in media for 40 years before retirement, I know it's not easy.

You're only as good as your last game, John, but the last game was pretty good. Keep the tackles coming, GBP.

James from Appleton, WI

On Zayne Anderson's interception, I thought I saw Edgerrin Cooper down there in coverage and he did not immediately start celebrating or running with Anderson. He turned to block the Saints player who may have had a chance to run down Anderson from behind. For a rookie with a Formula 1 motor, I thought that was a heck of a reaction.

It's doing your 1/11th. Cooper is an uber-athletic linebacker with as much upside as anyone on the team but also understands his responsibility to the other 10 men on the field.

Darrel from Pueblo, CO

II, I think to get a true MVP, players and coaches should make the call, not pundits. Do you ever see that happening?

No and no. The Associated Press isn't perfect (see NFL Coach of the Year), but there's a reason the AP awards and All-Pro team mean more. They're unbiased in their analysis and there's enough voters (50) to usually get a decisive winner. Most – including Tom Silverstein here in Green Bay – take the process very seriously and are very well-researched before casting their ballot.

Marteen from Reno, NV

Insiders, all I can say is, "It's about time a Packer wins Angry Runs." The scepter is coming to Titletown! Congratulations to No. 8, Josh Jacobs. The Green and Gold is represented. GPG!

It's not Jacobs individually, either. He's got everyone running angry.

Dan from Waupun, WI

Does the DB coach need some thanks? Is the coach putting the DBs in the right spot on these interceptions? Oh, nice gym in Titletown. Hope you guys get free memberships for being Packers.

That's another position where credit goes all-around. Hafley, Derrick Ansley and Ryan Downard have done yeoman's work navigating injuries at cornerback while Xavier McKinney, Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine have upped their game in their own ways.

Roger from McGrath, AK

I noticed Kitan Oladapo got defensive snaps and nearly picked a deflected ball. Are these his first and are there any players with similar firsts?

Oladapo actually played three snaps a week earlier at the end of the Seattle game, too. I don't believe there were any firsts in this game. Even sixth-round pick Travis Glover saw four offensive snaps last month against San Francisco before playing the last nine against the Saints.

Daryl from Helena, MT

With Mark from Greenville, SC's comments about Brandon McManus, it got me thinking about his contract. Is he on a one-year deal? If so, my guess is that Brian Gutekunst will have to dole out more bucks to keep him.

Those are discussions for down the road, but yes, McManus is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2024-25 season.

Steve from Dixon, IL

When it is time to sign Tucker Kraft to a second contract, does he negotiate as a tight end or a quarterback?

He has a year to think it over. Kraft and the Packers' 2023 draft class aren't eligible for a contract extension until following the 2025 season.

Mark from Rochester, MI

Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe that the Saints game was the first Packers shutout on Monday Night Football since the 2001 37-0 win over Washington. Is my history correct?

Correct. It also was the largest margin of victory on Monday Night Football leaguewide since Seattle beat Philadelphia 42-0 on Dec. 5, 2005.

Jonathan from Vero Beach, FL

If this was pre-2021, we would be fighting with Washington for the last wild-card spot, and could've possibly gotten left out with a 12-5 record...how crazy is that?

Crazy, but it's not 2021 anymore. It's a 14-team playoff field now and the Packers have punched that postseason ticket.

Curt from Tampa, FL

I must admit to being a person who on occasion bemoans the Packers seemingly lack blowout wins. Why did I find myself disappointed – even bored – when it finally happened? I only watched to the end because that is what a good Packers fan does, win or lose.

I have some good and bad news for your, Curt. The good news is blowout wins are few and far between. The bad news is you wasted a great opportunity to enjoy one on the same night Green Bay clinched one of 14 tickets to the postseason.

Ray from Phoenix, AZ

The last couple of games some new names are being heard from on the defense. Devonte Wyatt, Lukas Van Ness, Brenton Cox Jr., Zayne Anderson, and of course, Edgerrin Cooper. These are young players playing in a new system who are now playing downhill with lots of speed – just like Hafley wanted. An attacking defense with this dynamic offense and a solid kicking game. LOOK OUT!

And you can see the young guys playing with more confidence, too. Wyatt looked like a man on a mission Monday night. Cox has provided a lift for this pass rush, too. Zach Kruse had the stat Tuesday Cox is up to four sacks and 13 pressures on just 80 pass-rushing snaps. Remarkable. Again, you're seeing the trickle-down effect of depth.

Craig from Green Bay, WI

What is the routine after a Monday night game and with travel to Minnesota for a Sunday game? Film Tuesday? Off Tuesday? Remainder of the week?

The players had rehab and a flush workout but otherwise were off Tuesday. Due to the short week, the team was back in the building on Christmas to begin preparations for Minnesota. Later today, they'll conduct their first practice of the week.

Bill from Negaunee, MI

Wouldn't it be fairer to teams to host a playoff game if they have a better record? Home games in the playoffs should all be determined by record. Period.

I'd love nothing more than to agree with you, but those are the rules of NFL postseason engagement. Every team knows it when the season begins. If the Packers are as good as they believe they can be, it shouldn't matter whether they're home or away. Just win, baby.

Mark from Big Bear City, CA

Merry Christmas II, while watching the Jets game on Sunday I noticed that the stands were a little empty. I realize that the Jets are out of the playoffs but seeing that and then watching the Monday night game and seeing Lambeau Field from an aerial view was amazing; the joint was jumping. Makes you proud to be a Packer fan. GPG!!!

Again, it's a blessing to play meaningful December football.