Inbox: They're all capable of another

Dave from Germantown, TN

Since the Packers have to be Road Warriors, can they wear spiked shoulder pads?

Even in the postseason, once again we're off, so we might as well get going.

Dean from Huntsville, AL

Mike, appreciate the honest assessment of the team from Sunday. I came away with more optimism than most. Desperation is a massive motivator. And Da Bears had more to play for. But wondering if you can recall a team making the Super Bowl with consecutive losses to end the season?

Not off the top of my head, but one that stands out to me is the 2008 Arizona Cardinals, who lost four of their last six games – including a few beatdowns by scores of 48-20, 35-14 and 47-7 – before making a run to the NFC title.

Dave from Allegany, NY

One advantage of playing in Philadelphia instead of Tampa Bay: Philadelphia weather should be more conducive to the running game, especially now that Chris Brooks, and especially Emanuel Wilson, have proven that they, too, can move the pile. The old adage of "running the ball and stopping the run" could be a key to achieving the outcome that we're all hoping for.

I talked at length on "Unscripted" about this playoff team being very different than others because the Packers haven't really had a "run the ball, stop the run" team entering a postseason since, maybe, 2003. I think this very well could be a "run the ball, stop the run" game, but the weather won't have anything to do with it.

Ryan from Chippewa Falls, WI

Is the run D good enough to match up against the Eagles? I think we're still good enough to keep the run game in check if the other phases can hold up.

With the best run defense the Packers have put together in well over a decade, there's nothing like the ultimate test against the league's top running back. Back in Brazil, the Packers limited Barkley to a modest 60 yards on 15 carries through nearly three quarters. Then he broke off a 34-yard run on the final play of the third quarter and finished the game with 109 rushing yards. His ability to bust a big one at any moment can change a game and ruin everything.

Aumed from Moorhead, MN

How refreshing has it been to watch Edgerrin Cooper? The man seems to be on the football in a flash every play with no sign of fatigue. I have him as my key player on defense to stop Saquon's running attack with Romeo Doubs on offense to beat Philly's sticky man coverage. Would you say the same?

Doubs was a playoff star a year ago. Another "Unscripted" topic was how Cooper's emergence is one of three key pieces to a run defense that is in a better place now than earlier in the season. The others are T.J. Slaton's presence and Rashan Gary's best year as a run defender.

Jason from Carlsbad, CA

"Where do you guys get your stats? Jordan Love completed 63.1% of his passes this year." On the broadcast of the game they put Love's stats up for the year and had his completion percentage as 58%.

You weren't the only one to point this out. I wonder if somebody at FOX pulled Love's 58% from 2021 – when he was 36-of-62 as Rodgers' backup – in putting that together. Love was 64.2% last year before the 63.1% this year.

Gavin from Albuquerque, NM

My additional response to Steve from Waukesha would be that in a pass play, there are two players involved in that completion percentage. Not all receivers are the same and many in this space, including the two writers, have acknowledged the drops this season. And still at 63.1%? I'll take it.

I've written countless times this season that certain passes could've been caught and also thrown better. Both can be true and often are.

Mike from Ellicott City, MD

Sorry for being a Debbie Downer, but IMHO Love has not progressed as much as a second-year starter should have. Being injured and losing a couple weapons here and there is not an excuse.

Maybe not, but the health part is reality in terms of missing games, being limited in practices, playing hurt, etc. That was the entire first half of his season. After the bye, he put together a run of five straight games with a passer rating north of 107. His last two outings haven't been up to par, no doubt, but I caution against long-term evaluating as a prisoner of the moment.

Philip from Toukley, Australia

The Packers seem to be struggling to mesh running and passing. Is it possible that apart from having an elite passer, it is really difficult to do both well? Seems like our pass-game execution has dropped off in a way that corresponds to any improvement as a rushing offense.

I think what you're saying, and what I'm seeing, is the offense lacks rhythm between its running and passing right now. We've seen what rhythm looks like, and it's not there. Why? That's probably the season-saving question at this point. I don't know enough about X's and O's at this level to answer that.

Andy from Birnamwood, WI

Spoff mentioned he loves this running game and also mentioned how it should be tough to handle and should set up the offense. Do you have any insights into why it seems like MLF is calling less play-action than he had last year (and earlier this year) when it seemed like the offense was humming? You would think with a great run game that he would utilize it more, but it just doesn't seem to be the case.

Another similar rhythm/flow question. Pete from Caledonia, MI, also asked about play-action as well as under-center snaps. I don't have any such stats in front of me, but in general it's an execution issue regardless. Plays and concepts in the plan can't build off one another if the original call or follow-up isn't executed effectively.

Erik from Anchorage, AK

Have to admit that the outlook is rather cloudy. I'm banking on MLF's creativity and an underdog story of redemption: Luke Musgrave and Dontayvion Wicks. Could the loss of Christian Watson (wish him well) be minimized by an adjusted game plan and roles by players who have largely gone without fanfare?

Every perimeter weapon the Packers possess has produced what could be characterized as a high-impact game at some point in his young career. They're all capable of another.

Craig from Pike Road, AL

I would like to get a better perspective on the Scott from Noblesville, IN, question. His question is spot on.

Regarding Detroit's pass-rush success vs. Green Bay's lack thereof against Minnesota in back-to-back weeks? The venue certainly matters. Indoor noise frequently boosts a home team's pass rush with the visitors using a silent count. Game score and situation factor in, too. The Lions never trailed. I'd also say when the Vikings max-protected, Detroit's coverage held up better with the numbers advantage than Green Bay's did, allowing more time for the pass rush to eventually affect the play. And Darnold missed some open throws he didn't miss at home. Or, as Wes said, welcome to the NFL.

Ray from Phoenix, AZ

I think the defense has improved greatly over last year, but in five of our losses, the D needed a stop at the end to give our offense a chance to win or a stop to keep the other team from pulling it out. In the words of Lt. Caffey, "Can you explain that?"

I hear the concern, but it's worth pointing out in each of the last two games, the defense got consecutive stops before the fateful final drive. So I think the lesson is don't be in a position where the defense must be flawless for the entire fourth quarter.

Richard from Greenwich, NY

Good day, the Monday edition of the Washington Post analyzed the playoff teams. Their brief take on the Packers was "Green Bay isn't right," which nailed it, I thought. Good players, good depth, good coaches, but yet …

There's still time to get right, though it is admittedly running out.

Caleb from Knoxville, TN

How has this Eagles team changed since we played them in the opener? How have they evolved?

Having not studied them extensively, I'd guess they've evolved most defensively. The Packers rolled up 414 yards and 29 points in the opener in Brazil. Sixteen games later, the Eagles' defensive season averages are 278 yards and 18 points.

Fred from Lena, WI

It's Tuesday and I still can't believe our Packers fell for the banana in the tailpipe trick. When they punt, is there a planned direction? Kudos to the Bears for pulling it off but I hope to never see that again.

Nice "Beverly Hills Cop" reference. In the live blog, I was trying to recall when the Bears had pulled it off against the Packers before at Soldier Field, if not for a holding penalty nullifying the TD, but I couldn't pinpoint it. Tim from Champaign, IL, clarified it was 2011, with Devin Hester the decoy and Johnny Knox the returner. I'm with Wes in that I need to hear what Bisaccia says about this. As little as I know about X's and O's, I know even less about special teams.

Daniel from Allerod, Denmark

A couple of days removed from the loss, what remains at the forefront of my mind is the breakdown of an otherwise solid kick coverage unit this season. What explains the poor performance? Special-teams breakdowns and lack of ball security has doomed many playoff teams, especially in the elements, wherefore I am quite concerned by Sunday's performance ahead of a playoff game in the elements of Pennsylvania in January.

It was an out-of-character showing in that phase, for sure. Orzech had a near-disastrous punt snap, too. All I'll say is if there was any complacency within what had been solid units, it's gone now.

Dean from Lake Villa, IL

Lifetime Cheesehead from WI now living in Bear Country. I thought it was pretty cool when (Jaylon) Johnson kneeled with his hand on Watson after he went down. He stayed with him even while the play was going on. Ultimate sign of respect at a moment in time when Christian probably felt alone and devastated. Hoping No. 9 comes back quick!

Chicago's Tyrique Stevenson was also motioning right away to the Packers' sideline for the medical personnel to come out.

Chuck from Richfield, WI

Really enjoyed the WYMM segment and our defense really did dominate this game until the last minute. If not for the horse-collar and slant we'd be hearing a lot more about Brandon McManus. 55 yards thru frigid air – what a stud! Curious if that is a Packer record for a sub-freezing game. More curious why we haven't extended him yet. Is there a reason why? This guy is worth every penny!

Crosby made a 56-yarder in Week 17 of 2022 (Jan. 1, 2023), but it was 40 degrees that day. All other field goals 54 yards or longer ever made at Lambeau Field have been kicked Nov. 1 or sooner. As for McManus' future, I suspect he'll have a market in the offseason and will look to explore it. I would if I were him. If the Packers want to keep him, they'll be competing for his services.

Stephanie from Chicago, IL

Watching Mike Evans and Aaron Rodgers hit milestones last weekend, I'm curious what happens if both QB and WR hit a milestone or set a record on the same pass. If, hypothetically, Rodgers had thrown his 500th TD to Evans as he matched Jerry Rice's 11th straight 1,000-yard season … who has priority when it comes to deciding who keeps the ball?

The players work it out amongst themselves. Back in 2014 as a rookie, Davante Adams' first TD catch was Aaron Rodgers' 200th TD pass, and Rodgers let Adams keep the ball. Then when Adams caught Rodgers’ 400th six years later, he made a showy presentation of the ball to his QB in the end zone.

Jeremiah from Middleton, WI

Anyone feeling salty about our game loss should take a look at some Viking fan reactions. Seems like they are even more despondent somehow.

Minnesota let a massive opportunity get away. There's no denying that. Eleven goal-to-go snaps and no touchdowns, with so much on the line. The Vikings' resiliency is being tested this week as much as the Packers'.

Jeff from Hagerstown, MD

It seems as though the Packers haven't done well with losing some of their key players, yet the Lions are constantly losing players and they don't miss a beat. Do they know something the rest of the league doesn't know?

Don't miss a beat? I disagree. I give the Lions a ton of credit for what they've done, but it's easy to forget that once the calendar turned to December, their banged-up defense surrendered 31 points to the Packers, 48 to the Bills and 34 to the 49ers before taking a huge leap forward against the Vikings. They got their man-in-the-middle Alex Anzalone back, and their next men up are more integrated now.

Doug from Plymouth, WI

Hi guys, what did you think of Dan Campbell's comments after Detroit beat Minnesota. Campbell obviously thinks Philly and Minnesota will win their wild-card games, saying: "Good job, great season. I'll see you in two weeks." Your take on this?

I sincerely doubt Campbell had all the first-round possibilities in his head when he made the comment to O'Connell. I don't think it came out in the context of predicting both Green Bay and Washington would lose this weekend. I think he was saying something meant to be respectful and collegial to a rival coach.

Wilbur from Boise, ID

Label me a homer or an eternal optimist but I still believe the Packers can and will make a deep playoff run. In every game we lost we made a ton of mistakes but were still only 2-3 plays away from a different outcome. Coaching mistakes like what cost us against the Bears can be easily fixed. If we make those three key plays and beat the Eagles, this team will be confident going into Detroit and anything can happen from there. Even if I'm wrong, I will enjoy this week more by remaining hopeful.

Ditto.

Patrick from Freehold, NJ

It's 965 miles to Philadelphia. We've got a full tank of gas, a half pack of cigarettes, it's dark … and we're wearing sunglasses. Beat the Eagles! GPG!

Why not make it a mission from God while we're at it. Happy Wednesday.