Inbox: The Packers have to find themselves

John from Elgin, IL

Let's hear your positive spin after this horrible showing. Unless Hurts has a clunker it's over.

Spare me the positive spin assumption. You clearly don't read much of what I write.

Nic from London, UK

Mike, have you developed any in-game chat catch phrases yet? I've noticed "Mercy" seems to be your version of an expletive and is typically employed when things are FUBAR.

I have several that fall into that category. It's a family blog.

Sam from Iowa City, IA

No question, just yuck. Yuck.

No argument here.

Todd from Tampa, FL

Glad we face the Eagles. We're either good enough or we're not. Agree or disagree?

I'm not sure the opponent matters much right now. The Packers have to find themselves. That's what this comes down to.

Rich from De Pere, WI

Just a comment: With the youngest team in the league and many reserves out there battling for the win, we can't have poor coaching decisions during crunch time, like a poorly managed clock and a prevent defense when the Bears just needed 12-15 yards to get into field goal range. The team deserved better.

Two weeks in a row, an across-the-board team loss. Letdowns galore, start to finish, from all involved. LaFleur took the blame for leaving the Bears almost a whole minute because he took a timeout thinking he'd be going for it and then changed his mind to try the long kick. I comment later on the final defensive sequence. But all that aside, you know what? No matter what happens next week, losing this game was better than winning it the way the Packers played. I left the press box feeling that way, even without knowing Washington had pulled out a last-second win. It sounds like the locker room was a pretty emotional scene after the game, which has to be good, right? In retrospect, making a desperate comeback and losing another close one to the Vikings last week might've hurt this team more than helped it. Something needs to shake them up if they're going to have a chance to do anything. Maybe losing by 17 in Minnesota instead of by two could've done it. Maybe this will. Whatever the case, the emotions tied to it must be put to good use. At this point, whether the Packers finished 11-6 or 12-5 doesn't matter. It's what happens now.

Brad from Minneapolis, MN

On that last completion to Moore, could the Packers defender hold Moore upright and drag him forward to eat up a couple seconds? Thanks and I can only hope our injuries are minor.

One of LaFleur's lines after the game regarding the ending was "we weren't slow off the pile." I believe they're coached, without creating a delay of game, to make it a little harder there.

Alan from Mount Auburn, IL

Hi Mike, on the last pass the Bears completed before the winning field goal, it looked like the Packer safeties were way behind the field-goal target line. Did you see it that way?

The Bears came out in a funky 3-by-1 receiver set, and the DBs near them were clearly guarding the sideline so nobody could get out of bounds. That made sense. But on third-and-11, having three defenders 25 yards or more off the line of scrimmage, and retreating at the snap, left just a huge, empty space in the middle of the field. After a timeout, no less. Color me confused.

David from Edina, MN

We are a few fingertips away from being 0-6 in the division this year and were fortunate to play a lot of bad teams this year. That's the canary in the coal mine for next year unless big changes are made.

I still believe anything can happen in the playoffs. Always will. Also that it's a week-to-week league. But the way the Packers, Commanders, Buccaneers and Falcons played Sunday (while the Rams rested players after averaging 14 points per game over their previous three) doesn't speak well for the NFC playoff contenders, beyond the big three.

Steve from Scranton, PA

Mike, four teams (Steelers, Chargers, Commanders and Rams) were in a similar situation this weekend, having clinched a playoff spot and only playing for seeding but not a potential home-field advantage (Rams had already clinched home field). Unsurprisingly, Tomlin and Harbaugh played starters the whole way…one won and the other lost. Quinn sat Daniels at halftime and eked out a W against a third-string QB, while McVay sat his starters and barely lost. Veteran coaches with varying perspectives.

I think every coach has the finger on the pulse of his team. The Packers played poorly last week for 50 of 60 minutes against a division rival. I don't blame LaFleur for the approach he took, especially with a young team. I just feel sick for Christian Watson. Man. Hoping for good news but it sure didn't look good.

Jeff from Auckland, New Zealand

I thought Mike's assessment of the 2023 vs. 2024 team was Spoff-on. It made me wonder: Would you rather have an up-and-down team that gets hot come playoff time, or a decently CONSISTENT team that hasn't yet hit that next gear? It seems we'd have a better chance of winning it all with a hot team, but the miserable alternative would be a downward-spiraling team like the Eagles last year.

There's a measure of confidence in the fan base when the team has reached that next level, as last year's team did against the Lions and Chiefs. There's more angst when that hasn't been evident, late-season games haven't produced it, and all are wondering if it can happen. But I think players know what they're capable of regardless, and any playoff win can be built upon for the next one. Last year's playoff experience should mean something to this year's crew in terms of knowing how to prepare, and everyone is questioning this team's preparation right now.

Bart from La Crosse, WI

How concerned should we be (or are you) that the Packers finished last season very strong and never really came close to that level of performance this season? The growth and improvement didn't ever seem to materialize. Was this team any better at the end of the season than they were at the beginning? Or worse?

There's a legitimate argument this team after 17 games isn't all that much different than the one we saw in Week 1. I think it both runs the ball and stops the run better, and has a better kicker, than what we saw in Brazil. But not much else looks different or improved. I thought the convincing win over Miami, followed by a hard-fought loss at Detroit and impressive showing in Seattle against a team with a lot to play for, would perhaps be a catalyst for a late-season push. Then the Saints didn't field a real team on that Monday night, and the last two games have been stinkers. Just bad football against your most familiar opponents. A week or so ago, I mentioned the '15 team and the way it headed into the playoffs. Different years overall, but that's the regular-season finish I'm recalling here. Hopefully these guys have some road-warrior mentality in them.

Tom from Two Rivers, WI

Hi Mike. Tough game to watch. What's your one positive takeaway from the game? Mine is Chris Brooks and Emanuel Wilson.

I love this Packers running game. Those guys ran hard, taking after their leader Josh Jacobs. I wish Wilson had been given a better chance on third-and-2 before the field goal. Bigger picture, this ground game should set up the offense to be tough to handle, but that's far from the case the past two weeks. Green Bay needs to figure out why, soon, like now, and fix it.

Matt from Eau Claire, WI

We keep hearing after every loss that the offense is "close" to clicking or being there. It's way past time for the offense to still be out of sorts. How could we go a whole season with being "close" but not actually getting there? We've seen flashes, which has made it that much more frustrating this offense still can't command an entire game.

All valid points. The frustration is understandable, even warranted. Any offensive lull that lasts more than one possession can't be afforded next weekend.

Andy from Galesburg, IL

I agree with you, that if you can't get up for the Bears, get off the field. It looked to me like they weren't, indeed, up for them. They looked flat, and the Bears didn't. Thoughts?

The defense came ready to play, I thought. The other two phases, not so much.

Dean from Leavenworth, IN

Ouch! Any idea when the last time was that the Packers went 1-5 in their division?

2005.

Jay from Land O'Lakes, FL

Guys, given the injuries to the secondary, do you agree that the key to the Packers' success in the playoffs will be tied to our performance in the red-zone offense? To score or not to score, that is my question.

Whatever the injuries are, red-zone defense will be huge too. Just look at last night's Vikings-Lions game, or Saturday night's Bengals-Steelers game.

Marc from Crandon, WI

Hi guys, is Eric Stokes a candidate for a four-year qualifying contract similar to AJ Dillon's? He's been playing better recently and could be worth another look next year. Your thoughts?

Stokes would be a candidate, as would Josh Myers, T.J. Slaton and Isaiah McDuffie. But whether such an offer would be of interest to the Packers, or to those players, is difficult to say.

Mark from Winona, MN

With the success of X and JJ this year, coupled with available money next do you foresee a deeper delve into free agency this offseason?

I don't know if anything could be much deeper than signing the two top available players at their respective positions. But the cap space will be there for Gutey to stay active.

Brian from Columbia, MO

Yeah, I know it's too early to talk about the draft. Want to hear something scary? According to the internet, the entire NFC North is in the top third of available cap space for 2025. GB No. 11, DET No. 8, MN No. 6 and CHI No. 5. Doesn't mean much depending on who's about to be a free agent, but...

The strength of this division isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

Jack from Moweaqua, IL

With all this talk about the fourth-down craze what shocks me is the Commanders are the best fourth-down team ever, that is in NFL history! They've converted something like 19 of 22 on the year! With all this gambling on downs I see a team or two this postseason losing on a decision to go for it (wish it happened Week 14). What say you guys?

I thought last year's postseason definitely hinged on a few such decisions. It was certainly clear last night in Detroit which team is accustomed to going for it on fourth downs and which one isn't.

Doug from Neenah, WI

Good morning, Mike. Are you thinking we will hear a lot about "bookend losses" this week?

That happened three years in a row, in '12, '13 and '14, and it wasn't fun. It would be nice if it doesn't occur again. It is interesting that the Packers' only loss outside the NFC North was to the Eagles, and that's their playoff opponent, while the Vikings' only loss outside the division was to the Rams, and that's theirs.

Kevin from Tinton Falls, NJ

In other news, watching the Lions absolutely dominate the Vikings just really underscores the importance of a great offensive line. Vikings let up a ton of pressure and the Lions did whatever they wanted on offense. I really can't stand the Lions, but they are very likely to end up in the Super Bowl. Who do you think is the strongest team on the AFC side entering the postseason?

It'll be difficult to beat the Chiefs, obviously, but it won't take a miracle, even at Arrowhead. I believe Buffalo or Baltimore could knock them off.

Jered from Denham Springs, LA

Coach can use all the coach speak he wants by saying we're all 0-0 right now, but this year's team is limping on its way into the playoffs. We're a blocked field goal away from being swept in the regular season by the rest of our division. Last season we were hot going into the playoffs but this season is the exact opposite. How do we stop the bleeding before it's too late?

The only answer I've got to that is focus. Focus on the preparation. Focus on the details. This is a huge bounce-back challenge because the players can't get hung up on the mistakes of the last two weeks or they'll play tight, thinking too much. Players that prepare properly can play free. Channel emotions appropriately and be ready for the emotional rollercoaster that all playoff games become.

Hans from Colorado Springs, CO

Hi Insiders, I suspect you'll be bombarded with a lot of words this week. My question is simple: Should we have any confidence heading into Philadelphia? If so, why?

When you say "we" do you mean the team or the fans? The players have to be confident. That's how you play this game at this level. If you don't believe there's no point in showing up. These guys are confident because every individual knows what his best is. The fans? I don't blame anyone for not having confidence right now. Basically everything about Sunday's game didn't go as planned. It was a mess every which way. As an old friend used to say, all we can do is watch. As I will say, it's see what happens time.

Tom from Fort Myers, FL

Over the years the Packers have had arguably more heartbreaking playoff losses than any team in the NFL. There were a couple of wins vs. the Cowboys that offset some of that but not enough to tip the scales. From a fan standpoint it is time for the Packers to start a streak of wins that breaks the hearts of other teams' fans.

Sign me up. Happy Monday.