Hey everybody, thanks for logging on today. go ahead and start sending in your questions and I'll get rolling here shortly.

Mike, I understand sponsor obligations...but chat on 2 'short' weeks back to back? You sir are a saint!

I'm just trying to keep track of what day it actually is.

Mike, how can we replicate Goff's 5-interception performance? I would think we wouldn't collapse like the Texans did.

That game was certainly an anomaly for Goff the way he has played this season. But I do like the Packers' chances if they can pick him off once and not turn it over on offense.

Chances for Romeo Doubs playing tomorrow? How can he be practicing while still in the protocol?

I'm not privy to all the details, but there are portions of the protocol that allow a player to practice with certain restrictions/limitations.

Hey Mike. Early in the season, Evan Williams and Devonte Wyatt both looked like borderline Pro Bowl players. However, each got hurt and missed a game or so. Since they've come back, they've OK, but I haven't seen the same impact plays from them. Are they suffering lingering effects from the injuries, having trouble rounding back into form, are opponents making adjustments to account for them, or is it something else I'm missing?

I always think it's difficult to tell whether a player is still dealing with a lingering injury while playing. I don't rule it out, but we've seen both of those guys make high-impact plays so that's always out there. I don't think I'd consider either off to a Pro Bowl start this year, that's a bit much, but their impact was considerable and there's still time for them to continue making it.

I have said this before and I will say it again. I will take Packers against anyone if Packers D only gives up 20 pts our under. This offense is capable of producing more than 20 pts against any D in the NFL.

Holding the Lions to 20 or less would be a huge feat. Detroit hasn't been held to that since Week 3.

Reduce the penalties and mistakes, Packers have a great chance. Oh and tackle better too.

I think the Packers' tackling has been quite good since the Bears game. I know I mentioned that as one of those "it happens" games where tackling gets away from teams, and usually they shore it up. Packers have to keep it where it is now.

Didn't Evan make a 4th down stop against either MIA or SF?

He had a 4th-down stop very late in one of those games, yes. Can't remember which. Too close together, lol

How many of Detroit's defensive starters are out for the game tomorrow? Are they really that beat up?

I've lost count. They've got almost an entirely new LB group out there now, and they have three D-linemen who are iffy for tomorrow night. Probably won't know until inactives are announced 90 minutes before kickoff.

Good morning, Mike! What time does the plane leave, and when can we expect the final injury report?

I'm headed to the airport as soon as I get done with this chat. I'm not sure when the final injury report comes out. I'm guessing around 3 p.m. or so.

I understand part of the concussion protocol is how the player responds "post-practice" . Perhaps that's the stage Romeo is in.

Quite likely, yes.

I agree with Lee, provided that they cut down on the mistakes (which they have been doing so far). I might be a bit of a homer, but Pack and Bills are the best teams in the NFL. Waiting to see if I get proven right.

I know there's a lot of attention on the Lions, Chiefs, Eagles and Bills, for good reason, but I see all of those plus a couple more capable of winning it all this year.

It seems like Tucker Kraft is the real deal and a fan favorite but never seems to get any credit. Even when he scores touchdowns or leads the team in receptions he is never mentioned in post game locker room speeches or given game balls. Any thoughts?. As you know it has been a very long time since we have had a good true tight end

That locker room appreciates Tucker Kraft plenty, believe me. I honestly don't think he cares much about any individual recognition either. He's not wired that way.

Mike, Vic kind of clued us in that although being a great pass rusher, Z Smith isn't a good run defender. I remember seeing his snap numbers decline against some run teams when he was with GB. He played a lot of snaps on T-day, perhaps due to their injuries. GB is going to run regardless, but do you feel that is a potential weakness to exploit?

Z Smith or not, with how banged up the Lions are up front, I expect the Packers to challenge that front with the run game. Get Jacobs going to set up the downfield throws.

Any ideas why Quay's suddenly making more impact plays? He's always made tackles, but now he seems like he's playing more on the LOS, or even on the opponent's side. Are they using him differently, or has some sort of light suddenly come on?

The defensive system switch has taken some time, but it's clear Walker has gotten a lot more comfortable with it. He's been wearing the green dot and handling all the communication this season, too, which is an added burden that can prolong the individual adjustment for the player. It's great to see him playing like he is, and even he believes there's more out there for him.

With the way the Lions' season ended I thought there was a decent chance they would go the way the Falcons did after their meltdown in the SB versus the Patriots. While the Lions game was in the conference championship there were some pretty obvious parallels, notably a coaching staff that managed the game poorly and players who executed badly in key moments. The Falcons never came close to that level again. Yes, the Lions haven't achieved anything yet, but I think they deserve a tip of the hat for the way they rebounded this season.

They have, but they've also come back with pretty much the same cast of characters, plus young guys who gained a ton of experience with that playoff run last January. I didn't have any concerns about the Lions having some kind of hangover. Dan Campbell is just not the type of leader who would allow that to permeate his team.

One would think that lining up offsides would be easy to fix, yet many good players still get caught. Any insight on this?

It just comes down to being diligent about the details and not taking anything for granted. Hopefully the Packers have learned enough lessons in that regard this season.

With Detroit's defense missing a number of players up front, what matchups might that open up for Green Bay? I am imagine Jacobs will be looking to feast again, but how could it affect the passing game too?

If the Lions struggle to stop Jacobs up front and have to commit more to clamping down on the run, passing lanes should open up, particularly off play-action. Detroit getting CB Carlton Davis back will be big for pass coverage, and those two Lions safeties (Branch and Joseph) are really good. That's why this game comes down to how well the Packers can run the ball.

Do you think that Josh Jacobs can keep up with the amount of carries and physical tackles he has had to endure through the playoffs, or do you see the Packers resting him a bit once they know where they will land in the playoff picture?

Jacobs seems to be good with any workload the Packers give him, but they will certainly monitor that during the stretch run depending on the playoff picture, for sure.

Seems like Saturday Mike ?

Sort of.

On par with Nathan's question, I wouldn't take issue with Jordan seeing which Arnold shows up to play.

Arnold has been flagged quite a bit in the secondary, but he's also an awfully talented young player. I don't see the Packers shying away from him.

If coach Spofford gets the toss, are you kicking or receiving?

I'm almost always in the defer camp, but for this one and given Detroit's situation on D, I think I'd take the ball.

One thing I've noticed about the Love-Watson connection is that Jordan Love's throws almost always just a tad short on the deep routes to him, whereas he's usually spot-on with, say, Jayden Reed. Is Christian Watson's speed really that deceptive, or does he have a slightly higher gear in game-time than in practice? ('Course, the one time he hit Watson right in stride, it was CW's only drop of the season, so maybe it's not all bad?)

When you're talking a pass that travels 40-50 yards in the air and it's a yard long or short here or there, that's just the nature of it. So many factors go into it, including how the defender is playing the receiver and how much contact there is.

Mike, who would you like to see in the Pro Bowl from our squad?

Haven't given it much thought. Xavier McKinney and Josh Jacobs are the two guys who jump out to me as very deserving. Beyond that, I'll have to see how many guys at each position end up making it.

Good morning, Mike. A question about Pro Bowl voting. I noticed that only certain individuals are up for each position. What makes a player eligible?

I honestly don't know how that works.

It feels like Minnesota has played its best football of the season already and should face. Feels like the Packers still have their best football out ahead of them. The Lions feel more steady - no decline, but no real surge in performance left. Is this the sense around the building? Of the three, the Packers are the team most on the rise?

I don't think there's much attention being paid by the players and coaches to the Lions and Vikings except when they're preparing to play them. The Lions have certainly been the most consistent team in the division, and I see the Vikings and Packers very similarly, up and down but able to win close games to this point and capable of playing better. Detroit's injury situation on defense could define their stretch run here, and then whether they get any of their regulars back in January.

Those two have had such a positive influence on their new team !

Regarding McKinney and Jacobs, absolutely. They naturally became leaders on this team even as new guys through the way they go about their business as established pros. Players can't help but notice that.

I don't disagree with the downplaying of the whiteboard-gate, but DET still had to spend time changing and memorizing the calls, right? I'm speculating Gibbs got a good talking to about it.

Oh I'm sure nobody in Detroit was happy about it, but teams change up those types of verbal calls all the time because they're heard over the TV broadcast and opponents listen for that kind of stuff.

Every time I hear/Read someone saying "Better Bring your A Game" I picture Bob Knight's "Game Face" Press Conference. Every Game should be our A Game shouldn't it?

It's the best course of action in this league but it's easier said than done. Sometimes you can get away with a less than A game performance and still win. This is the type of game you almost certainly can't.

Last year, during our second half of the season "surge", we still played a few absolutely atrocious games (TB, NY, Car). This season feels a lot different, though, and whatever the results, I think we're going to be much more consistent down the stretch. Are you getting the same vibe?

The ups and downs this year don't feel as drastic as last year, I'll say that. I think a lot of that has to do with the added maturity on offense of young players, and the defense being more consistent and reliable.

Hey Spoff, any personal fun scheduled for you in Motown, besides the Packers Everywhere rally? Any go-to meals or craft brews you seek out?

We actually don't have a pep rally on this trip. And we stay way out in the suburbs, not in the city, so I doubt I'll be doing much.

I like the Packers chances tomorrow night. They are starting to gell together on both sides of the ball and the special teams is much better than before. Has any Packer been ruled out of tomorrow's game?

Nobody's been ruled out yet but we'll find out in a few hours.

Which Wide Receiver will have an impact on tomorrow's game? Reason?

Any of GB's receivers can be that guy at any given time, but my gut says this game has a Jayden Reed feel to it.

I'd love to see Watson get a deep shot on the first play of the game, however unlikely. Might give DET a "Oh, here we go again" feeling (But I doubt it, and I apologize if that comes across as chortling).

I would expect the Lions to be fully prepared for that type of deep shot on the first play this year. But we'll see.

The life of a Packer employee huh ?

Ha, all I know is I need to rest up before these night games because I end up working until almost sun-up before I get back to bed.

And I heard somewhere that J-Reed has like an individual 129 passer rating for Jordan when he's targeted. Isn't that crazy?

Doesn't surprise me.

I like the grind, eat time off the clock and run it. Establish the run and everything else will fall into place.

That's how I feel too.

You have talked several times about parity in the league, but I think it is quite lopsided this year. Two division NFC North and AFC West will likely provide 6 of the 14 playoff teams. The wild cards are likely set already - the only excitement is in a couple of close division like the NFC South where the winners will get in with an inferior record to all the wildcard teams.

I agree the league does feel more top-heavy this year. Just the way it seems to have fallen. But this is still an Any Given Sunday league, and that goes for the postseason too.

What is the history of final thoughts. When does your "final thoughts" drop?

I think sometime later today. Final Thoughts is a game preview video that we started when Vic first got here, back in 2011, and we've been doing it ever since.

Lions offense relatively healthy?

All except LT, where word is Dan Skipper will be filling in for Taylor Decker again, same as last week vs. the Bears.

Why the 'burbs in DET? How long is the ride to the stadium?

It's just where we've stayed most often, I remember a couple of my many trips there staying in a downtown hotel, but it's rare. The bus ride to the stadium is a bit long, same as the bus ride from the airport. But so it goes. Short flight at least.

Can we hope to see Pathway to the Playoffs after this game?

If the Packers win, I'll look into it.

If Holmgren and Sharpe get into the Hall of Fame- do their names go up in the stadium?

Yes, they would be added sometime next season along with all the other ones.

More importantly, if they do get in (which I hope they do) do we have any prayer of escaping the HOF Game?

Ha, if they both get in, I would think there's a decent chance the Packers will be in the HOF game in August. If only one, maybe not. But the modern era class that'll be inducted will influence that decision too.

Considering that they entered the league a round apart, and play the same position, you don't see many comparisons between LaPorta and Kraft. How do you see the differences in their games?

I admit I haven't really studied LaPorta's game much, but I've certainly been impressed by it. I think they're asked to do different things within their respective offenses, so sometimes comparisons like that don't mean much. Both guys are big parts of what their teams do. That's really what matters.

I think Holmgren will get in. .. he was instrumental in rejuvenating the franchise

I think it's difficult to leave either one of them out at this point, but I haven't looked closely at the others in that group of five who are finalists. Max of three get in, so no guarantees by any means.

... maybe you've already covered this ... how does the noise level at FF compare to other indoor venues in the NFL ... ???

It has definitely gotten louder as the Lions have engineered this franchise resurgence. Last Thanksgiving it was really loud, but the Packers jumped on top and tempered the crowd a bit. It's a good formula to try to repeat.

Mike, will the players be off until Monday after the game, or do they have to come back in on Friday?

I think the players for the most part are getting the long weekend off after playing three games in 12 days.

Any chance at all that Edgerrin Cooper will be back tomorrow? With the Lions' outside run game, his speed would come in handy.

He hasn't practiced all week so I would say the odds aren't great.

Kevin Stefanski's record is 40-38 and won two "coach of the year". I know Matt LaFleur doesn't care but what does he needs to do to win a "coach of the year"? I just don't get how this thing works.

I don't either. I've kind of given up on it. I saw some stuff this week that Campbell is considered a favorite this year. Nothing against Campbell, but I don't understand why he'd get it this year after his team went to the NFC title game last year. But I'm not a voter so nobody cares about my opinion. Seems people look at it from so many different angles.

There can't be as strong a line anymore, against shorter careers for HOF induction?

Not at all. Terrell Davis, Kenny Easley and Tony Boselli have all gotten in, showing the perception of shorter careers has changed.

Any gut feelings about the game?

Not disparaging GB's defense, but could be a lot of points scored. Indoors, perfect conditions, both offenses healthy, most of the injuries on defense for both teams.

Mike- I just saw a Netflix trailer for an AR12 doc called 'Enigma'. Color me intrigued. Have you heard about it?

I just heard it's a documentary about his comeback from the Achilles injury from last year. But that's all I know.

... what's the NFL equivalent of the "Golden at Bat?" ... how silly is that nonsense ... favors big market teams ... would be a clown show ...

I'm going to make this the last question. That idea for MLB might be the dumbest I've ever heard. In my opinion it'll ruin the game. I absolutely positively hope it never sees the light of day. With that, I'll call it a chat. Have to head to the airport soon. Thanks again everybody, enjoy the game tomorrow night. I'll be on the live blog, starting a few minutes before kickoff. Take care, talk soon.

Best,

Mike