Inbox: The next man up keeps answering that bell

Paul from Ledgeview, WI

When you look at how the Packers were built, you REALLY have to tip your cap to Brian Gutekunst and crew. The depth on this roster is impressive. Throughout the season, there have been key personnel out and the Packers do not seem to miss a beat. Is there something about the Packers' approach that allows players to flourish here?

Depth was the difference. New Orleans was decimated by injuries, but it's not like Green Bay hasn't had its own issues throughout the year. The next man up keeps answering that bell, though, whether it's Carrington Valentine, Zayne Anderson, Edgerrin Cooper, Eric Wilson or others. Gutekunst won't want any credit for that, but he's due plenty like Matt LaFleur said last week. The Packers have built one of the deepest rosters in the NFL and properly augmented the depleted/inconsistent positions through the regular season (e.g. kicker, backup QB, running back, tight end, etc.).

Paul from Northglenn, CO

196 total yards with 67 rushing yards and the first shutout in the NFL this season. Can we feel safe in saying the defense has arrived at the most critical time of the year?

There are still two regular-season games left, but the Packers' defense continues to trend in the right direction. It now ranks sixth in scoring defense (19.1 points per game) and seventh in total yards (312.1 yards per game).

Joe from Swansea, IL

After a simply sensational win, I'll keep this simple: What has to happen for the Packers to improve their playoff seeding?

Green Bay can jump up to the No. 5 seed if it beats the Vikings and Bears, and Detroit beats Minnesota in the finale. Where things get tricky is the Lions could wrap up the NFC North and No. 1 seed if the Packers topple Minnesota and Detroit beats the 49ers Monday night. If that happens, we'll have to see how Dan Campbell chooses to play the finale.

Caleb from Leadville, CO

How beneficial was shortening the playing time for starters on a short week? Conjured up memories of Zeke Elliott mopping up another dominant performance.

It was beneficial on a number of levels. Yes, it gets Josh Jacobs, Xavier McKinney, Rashan Gary and Kenny Clark a breather on a short week but also prevents those key players from picking up any unnecessary nicks and bruises.

Steve from Flagstaff, AZ

Good morning, II. As a lot of fans stated, we loved Aaron Jones and who he was a person. I didn't know much about the individual of Josh Jacobs before becoming a Packer. Just his stats were all I knew. But after catching him postgame with Scott Van Pelt, man, what a humble guy as well. He seems to love it here and the fans seem to appreciate it. As per the Inbox the other day, you stated: Each guy seems to be where they are at. We as fans were lucky to have both.

Without question. I don't know how well Jacobs and Jones know each other, but they carry themselves in similar fashion. That makes it no surprise either running back has fit so well into his new locker room. There can only be one winner Sunday, though.

Rudy from Rhinelander, WI

If Christian Watson is out, what player can take his place to stretch the field? Bo Melton? The Pack needs the deep threat to allow the running game to be effective. GPG

Melton is the speed option, though Dontayvion Wicks and Malik Heath can help carry the load, too, if Watson can't go against Minnesota. According to LaFleur, the Packers received good news on Watson’s knee. He told the media Tuesday it was just a bruise from the sideline collision.

Nick from Springfield, MO

Curious what tendencies or player attributes on the Saints' defense led to the big increase in WR sweeps. Thanks, and happy Festivus! Although at this moment, I have no grievances to air.

Melton told me after the game New Orleans wasn’t traveling its corners on motions, so Green Bay started handing the ball off more to the wideouts. As Spoff pointed out on “Unscripted,” that could have been to avoid getting gashed by Jacobs between the tackles. Whatever the case, the Packers kept dicing the Saints up with sweeps and outside-zone concepts.

Mark from Greenville, SC

Merry Christmas to both of you and thank you for all you do for all Packers fans during the year! The conversation about special teams yesterday has me thinking – could the addition of Brandon McManus and his solid performance galvanize the "We-fense"? It seems stabilizing the kicking game has improved the whole operation.

I thought the same thing in the wee hours of Tuesday morning, Mark. This is perhaps the best Packers special teams I've covered. While they've covered kicks and punts well all season, it just seems like the "We-fense" has a different swagger since McManus came onboard.

Yotam from Atlit, Israel

Just to be sure I understand the situation correctly, Lions fans are going to be cheering for us this week? Weird times...

I never think of it as, "Oh, they're cheering for us." The Lions are cheering for themselves. It just so happens the Packers can help them.

Pete from Hillsborough, NC

Our December friend has been quite a pal again this year. Here's hoping the friendship extends well through January.

The only coach with a higher winning percentage in the month of December than LaFleur? Vince Lombardi.

Monty from Velva, ND

Hey guys, the offensive line was a serious concern in the preseason but has been a strength of the team as the season progressed. What or who deserves the most credit for this happening? There were holes for the backs and time for the QBs. Great performance.

Everyone. The O-line, the coaches, the running backs in pass pro, the skill-position players chipping in, and even Jordan Love himself. The Packers haven't allowed a sack in six of 15 games this year, tied for first in the NFL this season and their most since 2004 (eight). Green Bay enters Sunday's rematch with Minnesota allowing just five sacks in its last eight games, its fewest over an eight-game span in a single season since 2004.

Mike from Winchester, TN

Hi II. During the pregame broadcast Monday night, the TV guys mentioned that the Packers' O-line started 14 games together. I wasn't aware of that, and it seemed like a crazy stat. If true, are the Packers the only team to do this in 2024? Merry Christmas to our Packers family!

That's correct (knock on wood). While Jordan Morgan battled a recurring shoulder issue, Sean Rhyan has started all 15 games at right guard for Green Bay. The only game a preferred starter has missed this year was Josh Myers (wrist) having to sit against Detroit in Week 9. It sort of reminds of 2014 when Bryan Bulaga missed just one game all season.

Andy from Lancaster, PA

Merry Christmas, Inbox! On Saturday, it was mentioned that Love had only been sacked once in the previous three games. Now that he's stood clean for another game, I was left wondering: Has Love done the traditional QB thing by showering his linemen with gifts? If so, what extravagance has he bestowed upon them this year? And do you recall any particular interesting or over-the-top gifts from years past? I'd love to hear of a QB giving all his blockers a new bowling ball for "knocking 'em down" or something.

Knowing Love, I'm sure he quietly purchased some nice gifts for his offensive linemen. Based on social media, it definitely appears Jacobs also took care of the big guys.

Dan from Waupun, WI

Looks like the Packers played for Mark Murphy last night. What a nice way to celebrate what Murphy has done. Was a great Leader of the Pack. What a good win. We played darn good against the second string. We did not play down! GPG. Merry Christmas II crew. Thank you!

I'm glad the Packers did. Murphy absolutely deserves it.

Tucker from Belton, TX

Has anybody seen another look at the Hail Mary attempt just before the half? It sure looked like "X" was in to me.

McKinney came super-close to that eighth INT. He even consulted the big screen after the play to see if he got the second foot in. But alas, "X" remains in a tie with Kerby Joseph for the league lead. Personally, I'd love nothing more than to see him jump ahead of Detroit's bombastic safety.

Joseph from Bismarck, ND

Two touchdowns to open the game against Seattle, three touchdowns to open the game against New Orleans. If improvement is linear, then we'll have four touchdowns to open the game against Minnesota?

One touchdown or four…whatever it takes to have a faster start than the first game at Lambeau.

Barbara from Wilmington, IL

Why would the No. 5 seed be beneficial over the No. 6 seed? It looks like the teams we'd be likely to play (Rams, Falcons if the season ended today) are roughly equal.

In theory, you're facing a more vulnerable opponent if you're the No. 5 playing the lowest of the four division champions. With the top seed facing the lowest seed in the divisional round, the No. 5 spot also could be the path of least resistance to New Orleans. The Packers snuck in as the No. 7 last year but were quickly met by the top two NFC seeds in back-to-back weeks. That's difficult work.

Ian from Kirkwhelpington, UK

Gents, in most seasons going 1-5 against the division could cost the Packers head coach his job. Winning is a good habit, so play the starters, beat the Vikings and keep the Bears ground into the dust where we like them. Merry Christmas to you both.

I see no reason to give the Bears any hope, either. The Packers played that game with the 3-13-1 Lions in 2021, and Detroit has been gaining steam ever since.

Tim from Virginia Beach, VA

Did anyone else think that the fourth-and-2 pass that Malik Willis threw to Jayden Reed was a thing of beauty? Man, that ball looked good flying through the air.

The guy can spin it, man.

Jeremy from De Soto, KS

Josh Jacobs has footwork that is both real and spectacular.

It's almost like Josh has Jimmy's training shoes.

Jake from Decatur, GA

As an erstwhile Jake from Madison myself, I want to say thanks to Jake from Madison for his comment yesterday. There will be plenty of time for chortling after the Super Bowl, but until then, we as fans owe it to the Packers not to upset the football gods.

There was a little too much chortling among Packers fans in the stadium Monday night. I mean, there was a "Bears Still Suck" chant for crying out loud. Like why?

Ron from Mitchell, SD

I see the wave reappeared again Monday night. We were at Lambeau for the 49ers game sitting on the Packers' side when some folks in our area attempted to start it while the offense was on the field but thankfully it never got off the ground. What is wrong with people?

As LaFleur said Tuesday, please do the wave as much as you want when the defense is on the field.

Markus from Aurora, CO

Many of us got a certain feeling in the third quarter, when we held a sizable lead, that once again we would defend a lead instead of building on it. I believe it was the Saints' drive that ended with the ball landing in Anderson's hands. Even though the offense sputtered at times in the second half, the defense did their part to leave the visitors scoreless. One thing my wife said over and over while we watched at home, "We have a kicker." I say, "The dice fall as they will." What say you?

The defense has been magnificent in the second half each of the last two weeks and really all season. The Packers have outscored opponents 102-34 in the first quarter and 105-55 in the fourth this year. When you start fast and finish strong, you're more than likely playing deep into the new year.

Phillip from Wonder Lake, IL

Can the Packers keep the winning going through Vikings next week?

We're just gonna have to wait and see, but Green Bay is welcoming this rematch with open arms and bared teeth.

Al from Green Bay, WI

Merry Christmas to you and yours! That's it. That's all!

That's all I need. That's all I want. Have a wonderful Christmas everyone.