Cindy from Minneapolis, MN

No question, but a comment. The terrible fires in LA make the games this weekend seem inconsequential in the grand scheme of things, but a needed distraction at the same time. Thoughtful Packer fan is thoughtful today.

All the best to everyone out there. I can't even imagine.

Ed from Minneapolis, MN

Hey gents, since your sojourn to Brazil this Philly team has left me not left me with a "peaceful easy feeling." I hope they play loose, and can "take it easy." Otherwise they'll play from behind in a "desperado" mode. I guess my question for you is which way do I see myself out?

Speaking of musical themes this week …

Jon from Soldiers Grove, WI

So if a fast start in Philly is like a bridge over troubled water, hopefully it leads to the sound of silence. Sorry, couldn't help myself after Three Guys. What did you feed Larry?

I was so caught off-guard I spaced out and totally forgot I saw Billy Joel right here at Lambeau.

Adam from Long Branch, NJ

Rewatched the 2003 and 2010 playoff meetings at Philadelphia. The difference in winning and losing those games came down to getting a clutch defensive stop. In 2010, they did. Seemingly every other season, the defense has let us down in the biggest moments. One of these years, that has to change. Law of averages would say we'll finally flip the script one of these years. But it feels like every offseason, I think the same thing. Perhaps the late gaffe vs. CHI will be a blessing. Go defense, go.

I've probably told this story before. Back in 2010, with a radically different website operation, I had left the Linc press box early to get set up for postgame in the locker room. For Philly's final drive, I walked out of the tunnel and wound up standing no more than 25 feet from where Tramon intercepted that pass in the end zone to send the Packers to Atlanta. If the Packers are in that situation again Sunday – which we'd all take in a heartbeat – I'm going to envision myself standing near the mouth of that tunnel again as I live blog the finish.

Al from Green Bay, WI

It's been said this season, early and often, that the NFC North is the toughest division in the NFL. Does Green Bay get any slight advantage going into the playoffs from playing in this division?

There's no question the Packers are battle-tested. They've played five games against teams with 14-plus wins. They've given themselves a chance in most of those games. The Eagles didn't face the Lions or Vikings, but they did play three games against 12-wins teams, the Commanders (twice) and Ravens. Neither of these teams will be bothered by the magnitude.

John from Stevens Point, WI

How does Green Bay win this game?

That's one of many questions I answered in my mid-week chat.

Tom from Fayetteville, AR

If I remember correctly, the opening drive against Dallas in the wild-card round last year was a real tone-setter for the rest of the game. How can the Packers get off to a similar start against Philly and put them/their fans on their heels early?

Win up front right out of the gate. That'll give the offense early options, and that's how you stay out of third-and-long.

Nathan from Williamstown, MA

Lots of readers seem to have ideas about how the Packers should try X, Y, and Z new strategies to put the Eagles on their heels. Why not just keep doing what they've done for most of the year – as long as they execute it cleanly? Or does the absence of Christian Watson on offense or Jaire Alexander on defense fundamentally change what the Packers do well on their respective sides of the ball?

Those absences remove elements the Packers could lean on, and variations they could call. But fundamentally, I believe the Packers are a "run the ball, stop the run" team right now and everything else emanates from that foundation.

Mandy from Durham, NC

Any chance that Malik Heath will get more looks in Watson's absence? I know Bo Melton brings the speed, but I don't think we can have too many "box-out" receivers with strong hands.

I agree. Heath has delivered when opportunity has knocked. I don't think LaFleur or Jordan Love would hesitate to call his number.

Zach from Virginia Beach, VA

I think if the Packers can get 35 rushing attempts on Sunday they will win. Would you agree?

That would certainly indicate a balanced, ball-control offense productive enough to run the ball for four quarters. So I'd say yes.

Paul from Northglenn, CO

I'm all for explosive plays and feel they're more attainable when sustained offensive movement sets them up. From my perspective it appears explosives have priority in HC & QB. Sometimes less is more. Grind out some drives and big hitters will be easier, yea or nay?

I tend to agree, but again, sorry for the broken record from the other day, execution is the priority, and it's harder to grind out long, slow drives without a miscue or setback along the way. So I get the desire to take a shot when it might be there.

Ron from Roscoe, IL

While I like the excitement of a pass play greater than 20 yards as much as anyone, it kind of feels like the Packers have started trying more explosive shots when the game is still close. Long drives with lots of plays does require a mistake-free game, but sometimes it seems like a "drive killer" when it felt like they were moving the ball well. Am I wrong or did the Packers tend to run a LOT more "take what the defense gives you" short passing in the beginning of the season?

The Packers actually were ranked among the league's top teams in terms of explosive plays for much of the season. They were hitting on them rather often. When they don't, those failures stand out.

Josh from Arvada, CO

Given the Packers' obvious offensive strength in running the football, this seems like a great opportunity to get Jordan Love and the offense going early by passing to open up the run. It also seems like there is a high likelihood the Packers' offense will see a lot of man coverage until they prove they can beat it, especially without Watson. What can Green Bay do differently to take advantage of situations where opposing defenses seem to be almost taunting them to make a play?

Based on LaFleur's comments regarding how the Vikings surprised the Packers with man coverage, it sounded like they didn't have the types of route concepts called to keep players moving. They had too many "sit-down" routes, which can beat zones but aren't as effective vs. man. Schematically, it feels like this has become an inflection point for the Packers and they must find a way to have the right options available, because if Philly does want to man up, it's a given they'll try to disguise it to make it look like zone.

Matt from Bismarck, ND

I keep thinking of how to frame the question pertinent to Jordan Love as "the guy" or not. I thought maybe a hung jury might capture it. The question remains whether or not he will ascend as one of the cream of the crop. Where do you guys see him in that regard?

I think he's on his way. No guarantees, but I think he'll get there. It may be a hung jury with the fan base, but it's not in the front office or locker room. This second season as a starter had its share of bumps in the road that were beyond his control, but the way he played through injury and cut down on the turnovers as the year went on showed another round of growth. He also faced top-10 defenses six times, soon to be seven.

Detlef from Breitenstein, Germany

A comment regarding completion percentage since Troy Aikman's was mentioned here. Joe Montana's career number is 63.2% which also does not jump out. Without all the quick screens, DPIs, RTPs, illegal contacts, today's numbers would also drop. Not taking anything away from today's QB play (and certainly not from Jordan Love's), but with the evolution of the short passing game in the 2000s and the increased focus on defensive penalties it's just not really comparable anymore to previous eras. Valid?

Agreed, and bubble screens are so common now as the next evolution in the short passing game.

Jeff from Indian Lake, NY

What's up with T.J. Slaton? I don't remember getting hurt or ever leaving during the Bears game. We're going to need him if we want to slow down Barkley. That would be a huge loss for this defense if he can't go.

Slaton is on the injury report with an ankle. He limped off at one point during the Bears game but went back in. It was a good sign he was back at practice (limited) on Thursday.

Pete from Hillsborough, NC

How do the Packers and Eagles compare on turnover margin this year?

The Packers are plus-11 and the Eagles are plus-12. The Eagles have cranked up their number over the final month.

Eric from Green Bay, WI

Gents, with regards to the Lions' defense against Minnesota, I thought the Detroit DBs were absolutely mugging Jefferson and Addison. They were flagged twice but every replay I saw looked like defensive holding or PI. Sunday was a playoff-like game and the flags were kept in the pocket. I hope GB tries a similar strategy against Smith and Brown. A couple of flags would be worth that result.

Greater physicality downfield is common in postseason play, I agree. Receivers must plan to play through contact, not hope the contact gets flagged.

Jay from Fenton, MI

For our D, I actually think second down will be key this weekend. If Philly gets to third-and-1 or -2, their tush push is about as sure a thing as exists in the NFL. Give me third-and-3 or more and we have a shot to get off the field. Or does that make me Captain Obvious?

Don't forget about fourth-and-1.

Matt from Fitchburg, WI

Terrible news for Christian Watson, hopefully he can recover and have a prolific career. I've often wondered if non-contact injuries to ligaments were a foregone conclusion for the players that get them. Perhaps they have micro tears or strains in those ligaments and it's just a matter of time before they tear. Is there any data in support of or against that thought? If they haven't already, I'm surprised the NFL or teams haven't done imaging studies on athletes throughout the season.

I've often wondered the same thing. I'll have to ask Dr. McKenzie sometime to see what he thinks/knows. Years ago, I used to sit next to him on some of the plane flights and I enjoyed our conversations. Now I'm just constantly getting up so Wes can go to the bathroom.

Cody from De Pere, WI

You could tell LaFleur was waiting for a review to overturn the incomplete pass call before he challenged it. The inconsistency with play review is just fuel for "The league is rigged!" conspiracy theorists. In your opinion, what's the best way for the league to handle booth reviews/challenges in the future to bring some more consistency and fairness to the review of plays?

I have two independent suggestions. First, "eye in the sky." Just pause the game for anything under replay purview that needs to be looked at. It will inevitably lead to some unnecessary stoppages and reviews, but with clear communication it can still be done efficiently. If the league disdains that route, then I'll put forth what I've touted forever – simplify the on-field officials' jobs by making all safety rules reviewable. Let's see if they can be better on the basics without so much on their plates. Last Saturday, seeing three consecutive first-down rulings by John Hussey's crew in Pittsburgh, all changed by replay assist on the same series, was the height of absurdity. Those calls shouldn't be that hard, but there's an argument the easy stuff gets botched because of the cumulative effect of officials' jobs becoming that much more difficult due to a convoluted rulebook.

Jeff from Thornton, CO

After those last two games, I'd say nobody is expecting much from our Packers. Like last year when we had no chance against Dallas that had not lost at home. I kinda like it. Hopefully our guys play loose with zero expectations weighing them down. It's time. GPG!

I appreciate the sentiment, but nobody can or should fake it. With this much talent and last year's experience, there have been expectations. Perhaps the Packers haven't responded to them as well as they should have, but it's time to meet the moment. It's as simple as that.

Joe from Swansea, IL

As frustrating as the last two games have been, it seems to me the Packers still have a good formula for winning in the playoffs: A strong running game behind a cohesive offensive line, a quarterback who has cleaned up his interception issues, and a Top 10 defense that is keyed to turnovers. That said, can we get healthy by Sunday in the safety room? Will we have an answer for No. 26? Can we get out of our own way?

We'll find out soon enough.

James from Chicago, IL

Many years ago I was taking a fly fishing lesson. At one point the instructor said, "Stop thinking about how you're going cast and just cast?" This team needs to stop thinking about playing football and just play football.

Happy Friday.