Jason from Cleveland, MS

Do we sit most of the guys against Saints?

I'm too tired for any feats of strength or to air my grievances, so I'm just going to say "Serenity now."

Ross from Summerville, SC

Gents, too much to ask for a nice steady snow during the game on Monday night?

That would be fun.

Summer from Dayton, OH

Who do the Packers have to look out for in their upcoming matchup against the Saints?

It's whom, and Cam Jordan is at the top of my list.

Tom from Nolanville, TX

Spoff, well the Saints will be marching into Lambeau Field Monday night, out of the playoffs and with nothing to lose. The perfect recipe for a trap game. They put the Commanders to the test on Sunday and went for the win on the final play instead of going for overtime. It would be nice to get Musgrave involved soon as a tune-up for the playoffs. What do you think will be the keys to this game?

Protect Jordan Love from that pass rush as the offensive line has been doing and, well, rattle Rattler. Another effective piece to the pass protection will be to run the ball well, and the Saints' run defense has been very up and down. Last but not least, don't relax. Washington got up on these guys 17-0 and wound up hanging on for dear life.

Greg from Big Lake, MN

Was surprised to see the spread as big as it is. Difference in records, GB coming off a quality road win, southern dome team coming to the tundra could explain it I guess. How much effort is required by coaching staff not to look past the Saints?

The effort is made in treating the preparation for the game the same as any other game, and demanding the same attention and focus from the players as for any other game.

Dan from Rice Lake, WI

Do we know who will be wearing the green dot on defense against the Saints?

Good question. If Walker can't go, I'm not sure if that would dictate Isaiah McDuffie or Eric Wilson being on the field at all times, or if the package rotations would make it more likely McKinney would run the huddle. I doubt it would be Edgerrin Cooper.

Greg from Perkasie, PA

According to my research (WCBW), the Saints and Packers have never met in the playoffs. That sounded like a pretty crazy stat to me. Are there any other teams that the Packers have not faced in the postseason?

The Saints are the only NFC team the Packers have never faced in the postseason.

Craig from Mendota Heights, MN

Wow! Have been wanting to see a free kick after a fair catch since I learned about it decades ago. Have the Packers ever tried and converted one?

That was a cool moment on TNF. I was so happy the Chargers tried it and made it. Paul Hornung made one against the Bears in '64. Cliff Christl and other readers also passed along that Chicago's Mac Percival beat the Packers with a free kick in '68. In my time, the Packers tried a 69-yarder with Crosby against the Lions in the '08 finale and he came up just short. Probably would've made it had the temps not been in the 20s.

Philip from Hobart, WI

One question after watching Packers Unscripted – isn't the NFC North crown out of reach? If the Lions lose out we could have a better record at 13-4 compared to the Lions 12-5. But that would make the Vikings at worst 13-4 but with the better division record? Unless I missed something, the best we can do is the 5th seed.

That's correct, unless all three North teams are 12-4 heading into Week 18 and the Lions and Vikings tie.

John from Portland, OR

If the Vikings were going to only lose two of the next three games, is it better for Packers' tiebreaker purposes if they lose to Detroit (division) vs. Seattle (conference)? Thanks to you and your staff for all of the great things you do for us readers. Happy holidays.

Also correct, as far as I can tell. In order for a Packers-Vikings tiebreaker to go to common games – which is actually before conference record when breaking a tie within a division, and which the Packers would win by virtue of the two teams' results vs. the Rams – both teams would have to finish with the same division record. The only way that happens is if Minnesota loses to both Green Bay and Detroit while the Packers beat the Vikings and Bears.

Joe from Plano, IL

When was the last time another team from the NFC North made the playoffs in back-to-back seasons? The Packers had a streak of playoff appearances from 2009-16 and again in Matt LaFleur's first three seasons. I can't recall another NFC North team making the playoffs in consecutive seasons in that time until the Lions this year.

The last time the Vikings made the playoffs in consecutive years was 2008-09. For the Bears, it was 2005-06. For the Lions, it was 1993-95.

Venny from Montgomery, AL

Matt LaFleur had three straight 13-win seasons and the Packers got a playoff bye in each of them. It's crazy to think that it's possible for the Packers to reach 13 wins and end up as the 6th seed in the playoffs.

Each season is its own entity.

Patrick from Santa Barbara, CA

The question regarding a 5 seed hosting the NFC Championship triggered me causing me to do a bit of research. So a wild-card team has never hosted a playoff game, but I recall living in Arizona in 2008 and the 4-seed Cardinals hosted the 6-seed Eagles in the NFC Championship, which was rather bizarre, and had the same vibe as what is being asked. This year's NFC field sure makes it feel like something similar is possible.

Agreed.

Mike from Baraboo, WI

What do the Packers need to do to make a deep run in the playoffs?

Play their best when it matters most.

Joe from Swansea, IL

Knock on (Willie) wood, Jordan Love hasn't been sacked since the Bears game in mid-November. Coupled with Josh Jacobs' 1,147 rushing yards, are we fans giving enough props to this O-line? Loved the focus on 50 in WYMM; where else are we excelling up front?

Rasheed Walker's early-season penalties feel like ancient history now. He's hardly talked about and that's a good thing. Sean Rhyan has really settled in at right guard, too, and added to the unit's physical presence. It's certainly helped that the Packers have had their preferred starting five up front for all but one game. Unfortunately the one was the first Lions game, but lines that play together, improve together.

JD from Madison, WI

Mike, in play 3 of WYMM, Seahawk No. 27 Tarig Woolen tackles Jacobs after great run. Isn't that a hip-drop tackle? It didn't draw a flag but was he fined?

It sure looked like one. Fines get announced at the end of the week, so we'll see.

Derek from Eau Claire, WI

Josh Jacobs continuing at this pace for the next two months doesn't seem right, super sustainable or realistic. Is there any chance we see a reduction in carries between now and the playoffs to keep the legs fresh?

Maybe, but there are a ton of factors at play. For now, the goal is to try to win every game, but no one knows how these games are going to go or what the overall picture will look like next week or the week after. As always, stay tuned.

Jake from Greenfield, WI

Regarding the downfield throw to Romeo Doubs that missed. Do you think Love actually missed that throw? Or did he actually throw it there hoping Doubs would sit? In the replay, it looked like there was another defender who might have had a chance at an interception if Love throws that ball ahead of him.

Maybe some of that was at play and the two weren't quite on the same page, but even if he's not leading Doubs I thought he could've thrown a more catchable ball.

Randy from Westminster, CO

Watching Jordan Love throw, his motion seems smooth, effortless and in rhythm right now. When he needs touch, he puts touch on the throw. When he needs to rip it in there, it's like a laser-guided missile coming out of his hands. You can see the work he had put in to get to the next level. Is there another level for him to climb?

Oh, for sure. We'll never see Love take another leap as large as the one from the early portion of last season to the latter portion, but there's still growth to come in his game.

John from Waupaca, WI

Not sure what "56" would do for Larry McCarren. Now, "54" might be something he'd talk about.

I wondered about that.

Shaun from Kampala, Uganda

You mentioned the painful NFC Championship loss to Seattle in the 2014 season as one of the worst three Packer losses ever. Which are the other two? I would count the shocking 37-20 playoff loss to the Giants at Lambeau when the Pack was 15-1 and 14-point favorites as one of them. What would be the other?

In my opinion, the others are SB XXXII, when the Packers couldn't stop Terrell Davis and became the first NFC team to lose the Super Bowl in 14 years, and the 1960 NFL title game, when the Packers outgained the Eagles by more than 100 yards and were plus-two in turnovers but squandered multiple scoring chances in a 17-13 defeat (which of course became the only postseason game Lombardi ever lost). The 2011 divisional playoffs would be in the very next tier, but without a conference or league title on the line, it doesn't quite rise to the level of the others, in my opinion.

Mitch from Belleville, IL

ManningCast or traditional telecast on Monday nights – what do you watch? I enjoy the ManningCast and I'm bummed we won't get to hear what Peyton and Eli have to say about the Packers vs. the Saints.

I enjoy the Mannings as a change of pace because I generally tune out the traditional TV announcers anyway.

Steve from St. Paul, MN

So (last night was) the first game flexed from Sunday to Thursday. As someone who comes from out of town and tries to make it to 1 Packer game at Lambeau each year, I would be absolutely livid if I had figured out plans, booked hotel rooms, planned to take Monday off work, etc., and then the game I had planned to attend moved to Thursday. The NFL really does not seem to have much respect for the fans who actually go to games.

No lie told.

Butch from Donna, TX

We all wanted a Micah Parsons in the 2024 draft. Edgerrin Cooper is looking like our prayers have been answered. Great times are coming with this stud! Thoughts?

Cooper has won two NFC Defensive Player of the Week awards already, but comparing him to a three-time All-Pro and annual DPOY candidate is a bit much at the moment. There's reason to be excited about him, for sure.

Jim from Bridgman, MI

At the extreme risk of raising an eyebrow and I know he's just a rookie, but I can't help thinking that Edgerrin Cooper is playing like a very young Lawrence Taylor. I know it sounds crazy but watching his speed, agility, instincts and physicality, it just jumps out at me. If he stays relatively healthy, he's going to be very special. GPG!

And now we're comparing him to a HOFer who doesn't even play the same position. I've already used "Serenity now" today.

Tim from Wrentham, MA

I loved the acquisition of Xavier McKinney in the offseason, and through the first games of the season, he seemed to be the best defensive back in football. His production has dropped off, but do you see things from your vantage point during the game that indicate he's still a top back, even though his interceptions have fallen off?

When's the last time an opposing QB took a deep shot against Green Bay's defense, where the ball is in the air for 3-4 seconds? Hard to think of any off the top of my head.

Scott from Manson, IA

Just my opinion, but it feels like Gutey has really improved in drafting "ready to play" players the last couple years. Cooper, Bullard, and Williams have all contributed mightily this season. Last year it was Jayden Reed, Tucker Kraft, Dontayvion Wicks, Karl Brooks, Colby Wooden, and Lukas Van Ness. Pretty impressive.

I would argue that perception, as well as those players' contributions as rookies, is more a product of opportunity than anything else. The Packers haven't changed how they evaluate draft prospects. The overall construction of the roster, and the opportunity/necessity for young players to play right away around here, certainly has.

Tim from Greensboro, NC

Could the MN game still be flexed?

Yes, but only to 3:25 p.m. CT. The league would have to announce that by next Tuesday.

Stephen from Menomonee Falls, WI

When do you figure the date/time of the Bears game will be announced? As a Gold Package ticket holder, I need to figure some things out.

It could always come sooner, but I wouldn't expect it until after most of the Week 17 games are played a week from Sunday, and it might not be until the day after that.

Eva from Forest Grove, OR

What is your favorite part of your job?

Gameday. It's the most extensive and exhausting, with live blogging for three hours, writing the Game Recap and Rapid Reaction, and then diving into the next morning's Inbox. But gameday is what all the rest of the work is for. It's when our audience is largest and people care the most, so I gear up for it every time.

Thomas from Cedar Rapids, IA

Catching up on rest is on Mike's Christmas list? No problem! Give me your press pass Monday, point me toward the booth, and you can take the night off. Christmas wish granted. You're welcome, Mike.

I don't think my bosses would appreciate your suggestion, holiday spirit notwithstanding.

Kevin from Kirkland, IL

Pushing/pulling ball carriers. Monochrome color uniforms. Waiting for kickoff returners to catch the football before moving. The NFL is getting more and more like old-time Electric Football every day.

This legit cracked me up. Happy Friday.