Inbox: The NFL is slowly forgetting it played football before Super Bowl I

Kevin from Rockton, IL

Well, two more teams are left wondering where it all went wrong. One to go...

There can only be one happy camper, and Patrick Mahomes is getting awfully comfy in the Winnebago.

Markus from Aurora, CO

Insiders, a blowout in Philadelphia and a heartbreak in Kansas City. The Chiefs are still trailing Buffalo in consecutive Super Bowl appearances, but the Chiefs can achieve in two weeks what no other team has achieved. I prefer to keep it at two Lombardis in a row, so I will "root" for the Eagles.

I'll be pulling for Philadelphia, but it's not even about the Packers for me. I don't want the NFL to get what it wants – a three-peat in the Super Bowl era. The league doesn't do nearly enough to honor anything that happened before January 15, 1967. The NFL is slowly forgetting it played football before Super Bowl I. I fear we'll move past the point of no return if Kansas City completes the trifecta.

Chuck from Sun Prairie, WI

It feels like every crucial call in close games seems to go in KC's favor. Did the refs get the critical third- and fourth-down calls on the Bills' last drive correct? Chiefs were definitely prepared to stop Bills' QB runs. Bills kept trying the same play, except once, and were not prepared with counter response. If you were calling the play, what would have been your counter move?

Telling Josh Allen to stop running sneaks to the left A-gap. Listen, I'm with you all. I thought Allen had the first down and think there would've been much consternation if they'd ruled it was a first down. However, you know what you're signing up for when you sneak it in that situation against that team. As soon as Clete Blakeman marked it short, I knew it was over. If reviewable offensive pass interference taught me anything, it's New York isn't overturning that.

Michael from Aurora, IL

Thought the Bills/Chiefs game hinged on what appeared to be a bad spot. Whatever was called on the field was not going to be overturned. One line judge had it correctly (IMO) spotted as a first, the other marked it short. In that scenario, who gets the final decision? Gutted for Allen and Bills fans and not much interest in SB now.

Only Blakeman and his crew know the answer to that. There also was no request for a pool report after the game. At the end of the day, however, Blakeman wears the white hat and relays the referees' final decision. So, the buck stops there.

Mike from Baraboo, WI

How do the Buffalo Bills recover from yet another crushing defeat to KC?

I honestly do not know.

Steve from Hurricane, UT

The Packers looked and played better (especially on D) than the teams that lost this weekend. The teams that won this weekend looked and played better, however. As you guys say, it's week to week in the NFL. Do you think the Chiefs will look at how the Packers' D succeeded against the Eagles for a plan to start? No one else seemed to slow them down.

I'd take it under strong consideration. Jeff Hafley and his staff prioritized neutralizing the threat of Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley on the ground and the Packers' plan largely worked. At the very least, Green Bay certainly handled things better than Washington and the Los Angeles Rams.

Sue from Three Lakes, WI

After watching the conference championships, how close do you think the Packers are to the level of football we saw? I think we have a way to go. KC's offense with its quick passes (one or two seconds) is so efficient. They are not concerned with run/pass balance. All the teams have designed QB runs. So much innovation on play calls.

I saw it the complete opposite. Obviously, the Packers need to take the next step but the league's youngest team (with injuries at key spots) still gave the NFC's representative in the Super Bowl its best game. I'd also disagree with your assertion on the run/pass balance. Kareem Hunt had 17 carries for 64 yards and a touchdown in addition to Mahomes' scrambles. The Packers are close but so too is the margin for error. The best teams don't hurt themselves with penalties and turnovers. That's where Philly and KC separated themselves this postseason.

Tom from Keota, IA

Maybe I'm too much a fan of Pyrrhic victories, but I'd have loved to see Frankie Luvu keep diving over the line and force the refs to literally give a TD to the Eagles. They were going to score anyway, and the league already metaphorically hands them TDs with the legal tush-push. Keep diving, get that "league first," and expose the ridiculousness of it all. All it'd cost you would be 15 yards. If I was the head coach, he'd have had my blessing.

It was the most entertaining part of that game. Luvu is a hell of a player, too. I was super-impressed by him.

Tom from Raleigh, NC

The referee can award a score. Who knew. I am old enough to remember referees pausing the play clock because the crowd was too loud and even penalizing the home team for delay of game. Never saw a referee award points "for a palpably unfair act." Has this ever happened? Also, 55 points by the Eagles makes the Packer defense seem pretty good!

That whole sequence was embarrassing for the NFL – not the Washington Commanders, the league. Call me salty, but why not just take your defense off the field at that point? Or kindly ask the officials to notice Hurts' false start(s).

Erwin from Leesburg, GA

At that point anyone thinking knew the next play is most likely a TD. Philly/Commanders goal-line plays with at least three penalties in a row and "we can award a TD" was new to me and it sealed (most likely) a score on the next play. Jumping over the top to try and time the count to prevent a TD seemed fine to me. Isn't that the D's job? Stop them. Then a DL on a hard count jumps. Now what do you do? Basically, let them score. You're afraid to move. BIG advantage "O." Thoughts? O just live with it!

And Hurts is using a hard count after the warning. Incredible.

Kelly from Stoughton, WI

Maybe this is a dumb question but then again maybe I've come to the right place. Ben Johnson leaves Detroit and say someone within the org gets promoted. Who keeps the playbook? I assume BJ did a lot of work developing that playbook and it's part of what got him hired in Chicago. Or is it just a free-for-all, both teams have that PB now and each side develops its own off that. Thanks for all you guys do, enjoy the offseason and see ya at the draft!

Johnson is taking his playbook to Chicago and tailoring it to what Caleb Williams does well. Meanwhile, the Lions' next offensive coordinator – perhaps John Morton – will put his own spin on Detroit's offense. As the wheel turns…

Dave from Hollywood, MD

Looks like the tide has definitely shifted and teams are now going for it on fourth down in positive territory throughout the game. All four teams from Sunday made good use of the tactic. Buckle up for next season. Will a premium be put on punters with a big leg over those who can consistently drop it on the 5-yard line from closer in?

Having a punter who can pin the opponent inside the 5- or 10-yard line has never been more valuable. However, we're seeing fewer and fewer teams willing to boot the ball 30 yards or try a 50-plus-yard field goal. This is another area of the game where it feels like "Madden" was ahead of the curve. The risk is proving worth the reward.

David from Cable, WI

In recent years, we have heard a lot of talk about offensive geniuses. Now, we see the tush push, sneaks by tight ends and plays that look more like rugby then football than I ever thought would happen. Reminds me of something I read in the Inbox years ago. That football coaches are conservative by nature.

Matt LaFleur, Tucker Kraft and the offensive coaches don't get enough credit for the Kraft package. Not only did Green Bay bat 1.000 this season but the play also keeps your QB out of harm's way. You may have heard during the broadcast how reluctant Andy Reid is to use Mahomes on QB sneaks after he dislocated his kneecap in 2019.

Benjamin from Bear, DE

So, where is the Packers' focus now? Have they completed their evaluation of the past season or are they full steam ahead into free agency and the 2025 draft? I can't wait to see how the organization handles hosting the draft. Thank you!

We're quickly gaining speed as NFL coaches and scouts descend upon the Senior Bowl in Alabama this week. Meanwhile, Matt LaFleur is working to fill his staff. Once that happens, the preparations for 2025 begin in earnest.

Kevin from Kirkland, IL

I agree with Steve from Rockford on shorter pass pattern football success. Every third-and-medium for us was at least a 15-yard pattern with no early checkdown available to move the sticks. You won't get "consistently clean football" with those play calls. We thought two-high safety meant run the ball and throw deep, which gets you a lot of explosive plays, but not consistent drives. That strategy failed vs. the good teams in our conference, when the explosive plays dried up and no consistent drives.

Whether it's a short route or deeper developing play, receivers still have to get open and the scheme needs to help the quarterback through his progressions. Yes, Kansas City thrived off short throws Sunday, but Buffalo also made the routine look difficult Sunday night. Again, this game is about execution or lack thereof.

Bruce from Appleton, WI

Do you think that the Packers should try to keep Malik Willis as a backup quarterback?

Yes. 100% yes. Willis may very well have been the difference between Green Bay making the playoffs this past season. It would take a king's ransom for me to trade Willis. Even if Willis plays sparingly next year, I think his sample size is large enough to get a decent free-agent contract in a QB-starved league. The more money Willis gets, the better the compensatory pick for the Packers…which is why you gotta think long and hard before moving him.

Brian from Colby, WI

Maybe you can help me understand how in the Eagles/Commanders game the kick fumble recovery by the Eagles was down by contact, but in the Packers/Eagles game, where the overhead view clearly showed a kickoff fumble recovery was made by a Packer player, who was also down by contact, was awarded to the Eagles. I hate the narrative the game is rigged, but the Eagles were awarded the ball both times for the opposite reason. I am confused, can you clarify this.

A combination of Brad Allen's officiating and New York sitting on its hands in the replay booth. It's really as simple as that.

Lori from Brookfield, WI

Wes, why is social media loaded with comments encouraging teams to get rid of Sam Darnold, Jared Goff, Matthew Stafford, Jordan Love...when all these quarterbacks had great seasons and led their teams to the playoffs?

I ask myself that question more than I'm willing to admit, Lori. Mahomes is the best of his generation, but Philadelphia has now advanced to two Super Bowls in three years with Hurts – a good quarterback but not a supernova like Mahomes. The question fans should be asking is how is Philly getting it done?

Shawn from Kissimmee, FL

With betting being legal in the NFL plus the addition of Taylor Swift and the Swifties (giant groan!), the product that is the NFL is looking scripted and predetermined for the Chiefs to win or at least make it to the Super Bowl. All of this is part of the reason why I think the NFL is losing many viewers. You probably can't post this due to the topic being about this league being scripted and becoming more like the WWE. Smart in one way (more eyes watching, more money) but losing authenticity.

Nah, WWE would've booked a better main event.

Al from Green Bay, WI

Wes, I've got friends who are avid Bills fans. They are exasperated by the team's inability to get past KC in the postseason, and they are absolutely convinced that officiating is part of the issue. Overall, I thought the game was officiated well, but the KC catch that was challenged and upheld and the critical fourth-down spot of the Allen QB sneak were both questionable calls that went in KC's favor. What was your take on these plays?

I mostly agree but feel New York is completely useless, especially when it's reviewing spot of the ball. It also botched the Xavier Worthy play. But like DeMeco Ryans said a week earlier, you know it's you vs. everybody when you play Kansas City. It's a shame, too, because the Chiefs are a darn good football team.

Paul from Ledgeview, WI

Wes, did the two best teams win on Sunday? Do the same teams win at a neutral site with neutral officiating?

Kansas City is vying for its third straight Lombardi and Philadelphia is in the big game for the second time in three years. If these aren't the NFL's two best teams, then the rest of the league did a lousy job proving otherwise.

Ron from San Diego, CA

Capitalist discovered the wheel and built the Eiffel Tower out of metal and brawn. You're just a socialist with a small brain. With a brain a third the size of us. It's science.

You made my day with this, Mr. Burgundy.

Dave from Comer, GA

Wes, first Mike steals your lunch, then he wants you to pump his gas? What kind of tyrant do you work for?

We peasants don't call him the "Prince of Platteville" for nothing. Have a good Tuesday.