Andrew from Indianapolis, IN

According to my result (which could be wrong), the Packers were 10-0 this season when leading at the beginning of the fourth quarter, and 1-6 when trailing (Week 11 at Chicago being the lone comeback). What can the Packers do in Philly to avoid playing catch up? One thing I noticed in each of our last three losses: a first-quarter fumble. Thanks for all your great content.

Play with intentionality, run with purpose and protect the football. The Packers have shown the ability to start fast, but they have to stop hurting themselves with penalties, turnovers and missed assignments. The season depends on it.

Robert from Verona, WI

It's true that recent performances don't instill a lot of confidence that the Packers can go in and win in Philadelphia. Nonetheless, I'm still excited that we're playing on Sunday, and know that anything CAN happen. This team isn't devoid of talent. It just hasn't put it together. I have no idea what the result will be but sign me up to cheer for our guys until the clock runs out. Being overly pessimistic isn't going to do any good so I'd rather go in with hope and a splash of optimism.

The Packers are one of 14 teams with a shot at the Lombardi Trophy. I don't know about you, but that means something to me. While it never feels good to enter the playoffs on a two-game losing streak, Kansas City wasn't exactly lighting the league on fire before the start of last year's postseason run. The lessons have been taught. Finals start now.

Steve from Scranton, PA

Wes, every week (never mind every year) is its own entity in this league, so could we put to bed the narrative that last year's Packers were the hottest team since the 1972 Dolphins? For Hod's sake, they lost to Tommy Cutlets in December, then barely beat an awful Carolina team in a must-win game. Any prior momentum (or lack thereof) will be out the window by the first snap, and the game will be decided on how well the front seven can control Saquon Barkley and how Jordan Love adjusts to Vic Fangio's schemes, etc.

The pro wrestling fan in me loves the fact the Packers' season comes down to needing to defeat the team that beat them in Brazil. With most of last year's team back, I feel like this young roster will be in the right headspace to get the job done. They did it last year. Why not shock the football world again?

Dave from Waterford, WI

What does Green Bay need to do in order to get its defense playing better than they did Sunday?

The defense wasn't the problem Sunday, though I didn't expect the unit to finish with just two QB hits and one sack after Rashan Gary dropped Caleb Williams on Chicago's first play. Overall, I thought the defense played fine considering the absences and circumstances. Special teams gave up a punt return for a TD and the offense turned over the ball twice, which led to 14 of the Bears' 24 points.

Caleb from Leadville, CO

My thoughts are no more coaches taking blame after the game; giving up FG range with no pressure on the QB left me in bewilderment.

LaFleur said on Monday the Packers needed to play a different call on the third-and-11 play with that much time on the clock. Protecting outside leverage is fine, but the defense needs a "low-hole" player at the line to gain to prevent a receiver coming on a slant from getting the first down and allowing Chicago to spike it. We'll hear what Jeff Hafley has to say on Thursday.

Kevin from Westminster, CO

Who in the locker room takes the leadership role in holding the guys accountable and same for coaches? Sunday left more questions than answers.

It sure sounded like Xavier McKinney and Rashan Gary had a few things to say after the game, though McKinney politely declined to go into specifics.

David from Minneapolis, MN

It's a copycat league, so how long before every team practices and prepares to go for it on fourth-and-short on the opponent's side of the 40? I'm predicting all teams will be working on it this offseason.

I think we're getting closer to it.

Jason from Austin, TX

The player I'd like to see make a stronger push in the postseason is Jayden Reed. I could be off base, but I feel like he's had a fairly pedestrian season this year considering the promise he showed last year. I'm not saying he's been bad, but I just thought his second-year jump would be bigger. Who is the player you'd like to see step up bigger this postseason?

I think Reed made a jump in his play, beginning with monster games against Philadelphia and Minnesota during the first month of the season. Reed (and really the entire receiving corps) went through a midseason lull with drops and up-and-down production, but the Packers need his playmaking ability now more than ever.

Hal from Lanesboro, MN

With the up-and-down nature of our passing game, how much does the availability of the same set of receivers, week-to-week, contribute to the inconsistency? Romeo Doubs, Christian Watson and Luke Musgrave have all missed key games, yes?

That's the hardest part of the NFL but also what separates elite teams from the pack. Injuries affect every team. Shoot, Detroit's defense has been littered with them this year. Yet, the Lions established their win condition, won 15 of 17 and clinched the NFC's top seed.

John from Portland, OR

Since I'm neither a doctor nor an athlete, I'd appreciate your perspective on Watson's injury. Can we console ourselves that it was completely unrelated to playing on Sunday when his other knee might not have been 100% (e.g., just bad luck that was going to happen at some point anyway), or are the Packers kicking themselves for having him play when he was banged up? Thanks for this and for all of the other great work you do for us fans.

I'm neither a doctor nor do I possess any inside information related to Watson's ACL injury. For those two reasons, I'm not going to speculate or offer meaningless conjecture about everything that happened Sunday. All I know is my heart hurts for Watson, who has said and done all the right things since the Packers drafted him in 2022.

Kent from Homosassa, FL

Is there a reason you did not mention that the Bears attempted the same "tricky" punt return back when Hester was playing with the same result except for a very questionable penalty call? How do you prevent it from happening again?

Well, the referees swallowed their whistle on this one, so call it even?

Gregg from Arlington Heights, IL

What was the explanation for the punt coverage team's failure to defend a gimmicky high school play? The kick was to the left side of the field, so the punt was not shanked. Why was there no communication in the huddle between the kicker and his teammates? Why didn't the second-wave defenders track the ball? And why did no one, players and/or coaches, identify the second punt returner?

Any 94-yard return for a touchdown is inexcusable. But like my stance with Hafley, I want to hear what Rich Bisaccia has to say about it before rushing to conclusions. In reference to my previous answer, it looked like John FitzPatrick was held inside his body while Josh Blackwell turned the corner up the sideline. That's no excuse, though. At the end of the day, nobody made a play, and Chicago got the jolt of momentum it needed after a lethargic start.

Dennis from Oak Ridge, TN

How does a punting team not know the direction of the football? Look up on the way downfield. Has such a trick play been successful in the past? Truly an embarrassing play that will be shown for years!

I'm not sure how much directional punting is predetermined and how much is up to Daniel Whelan reading the field. Obviously, the coverage team wasn't on the same page and Blackwell made Green Bay pay. It's too bad. The Packers' coverage teams have been solid all year.

Mike from Baraboo, WI

Will losing the last game of the season help this team realize they need to play a complete game from start to finish in the playoffs?

You can talk about it, but the difference is in the doing.

Nhoj from Waterloo, WI

I feel like the offense is called different when Watson is out there. And he is a huge difference-maker. But why is there such a huge change? Can't we run some similar looks with Bo Melton? I think that is the difference from last year to this year is the next man up mentality from a play-calling perspective. I hope the Malik Heath catch can change that.

The Packers can run those same concepts with Melton (e.g. last year's breakout game in Minnesota). The difference with Watson is how he schematically changes the way defenses cover the field. With his speed and size, Watson draws so much respect and attention from safeties whenever he's on the field, which opens up other pass-catchers underneath.

Josh from Seattle, WA

If our most improved elements are run defense and offense, I like the matchup with Philly. Sounds like a good old-fashion brawl, hopefully only on the field and not in the stands. The opportunity is there for this Packers team to show how tough and physical they really are.

Overall, I feel the Packers match up well with Philadelphia. Run defense has been the most consistent aspect of the unit this year, finishing third in average yards per carry (3.96). Conversely, Green Bay's rushing offense was as productive as it's been in 21 years. That established identity needs to help propel the Packers through this playoff run.

Rob from Hartland, WI

What are the advantages and disadvantages of running the Love and Malik Willis formation in the final game vs. saving it for an unscouted look in the playoffs?

I believe it was Will Compton who spoke this week about the benefit of Detroit showing some trick plays in its rout of the Bears. By doing so, it gives opponents something else to consider during the week of preparation. We also don't know what concepts the Packers have built off having Love and Willis in the huddle together.

Scott from Noblesville, IN

The Lions' pass rush "got home" against Darnold. I am very interested in "what was the difference" between their success vs. our lack of such one week apart. Home field? Scheme? Coaching/motivation? Better players? Injuries? Playing with the lead? The Vikes' pass protection seemed perfection one week and totally inept the next?

Welcome to the NFL.

Jack from Aiken, SC

Hi guys, I feel GB often overthinks its offensive play-calling. If the Packers are in a possible four-down territory, it seems calling two plays in the huddle and getting up and running the fourth-down play as quickly as possible keeps the defense from adjusting to the offensive formation. They would have to default to a base defense. Your thoughts? Thanks!

They did that, too. If you're talking about the sequence leading up to Brandon McManus' 55-yarder, Wilson losing two on his second carry threw a wrench into Green Bay's plans to go for it.

Doug from Union Grove, WI

Wes, one of my sons and his family sat in Frank Lamping’s seats on Sunday, as have all of Frank's nephews. I've gone to enough games with Frank to know the look on his face after a loss like that. Frank was also the kind of guy that on Monday, he'd be clapping his good hand, smiling, and saying (and believing) that we can go on the road and beat Philly. That's what this team needs to do, get up off the floor, dust themselves off, and go beat Philly. Frank would have it no other way.

Amen.

Herbert from Palm Desert, CA

Good morning, Wes. What should give us hope is that the Packers beat themselves up until the Thanksgiving game last year and then seemingly overnight turned it around. Same coaching staff, and, I believe, a better roster this year. Can this be the week they finally play the kind of football they are capable of playing?

I mean, it's now or next year. Like McKinney has been saying, the Packers have to get it straightened out or their season will be over.

Bill from Forest Park, OH

One little positive from the game Sunday – Matt LaFleur finally won a challenge! So, we have that going for us, which is nice.

As I tweeted during the game, that was thanks in part to Clay Martin's crew dropping the ball (no pun intended) and replay officials sitting on their hands. The only thing more inconsistent than NFL officiating is the league's use of replay assist. Sorry, not sorry.

Steve from Waukesha, WI

Years ago, Troy Aikman said either a QB is accurate or not. You can teach footwork, arm angles and so on. Love learned little from "12" regarding ball security and for the last two years has had Tom Clements coaching him. Yet, Brian Gutekunst is going to pay him $55 million, and he is at 58% accuracy. That a lousy number. Do either of you think Aikman had or has a valid point? Thank you.

Where do you guys get your stats? Love completed 63.1% of his passes this year. He can be better, but it's also not five points lower as you suggest. Regarding Aikman, I don't know if that's true or not. If it is, I would offer into evidence that Aikman was a 61.5% passer during his Pro Football Hall of Fame career.

Tom from New Berlin, WI

Do you feel the Packers may be starting to revert the way the Bears or Lions did?

Green Bay won 11 regular-season games and advanced to the playoffs in back-to-back years. Do you know the last time Chicago made the postseason in consecutive seasons? 2005-06. Prior this season, Detroit hadn't done it since 1994-95. It's OK to be upset about what happened Sunday or the team's 1-5 run through NFC North this season. But if you think the Packers are moving backwards, you need a reality check in what real regression looks like.

Donald from Bigflats, WI

Hi II. At their lockers after the game, it's sure sounds like Josh Jacobs and Xavier McKinney came here for one reason, one reason only. Anything short of a Super Bowl is going to be very disappointing. They could have gotten paid anywhere but they came to win. I hope they make that perfectly clear to the rest of the team this week in practice. This team can be as good as any when they're clicking and as bad as any when they're not. Just beat Philly! We've tasted enough humble pie for this year. GPG.

What's done is done. Sunday is all that matters now.