Inbox: The Packers gotta earn it one game at a time

Eric form Ankeny, IA

I always enjoy reading II, especially on Mondays. Yesterday's submissions from fellow readers covered all my frustrations about Sunday's game. Then there was Mike's "refund" response to Jennifer from Cordell, CA. Priceless! GPG.

You have no idea how much I leaned on Mike's response to slog through today's Inbox.

Jack from Moweaqua, IL

I know it's Bears first and win your last home game, but Vic taught me to be an optimist until you can't. So, I like the way this is potentially playing out. Revenge of the regular-season losses, Philly, Minnesota, and then Detroit. It's there for the taking they just have to execute. And at this point not many outside of that locker room really believe they have a chance. Do you guys?

I loved the respectful but honest quote Josh Myers gave to Jason Wilde after the game: "I don't mean this personally against you. But I don't really care what anyone believes. I know we have the guys in the locker room to do it. I know this loss is going to (tick) us off and get us sent in the right direction. I believe in everyone in our organization to get it done. I truly believe we're going to win the Super Bowl this year. I really believe that – whether everyone else believes it or not." I think the Packers can do it because it's a series of best-of-one games from here on and they've proven they can play with anyone. So, get on the wagon or hop off. Either way, departure time is a week away.

Kyle from St. Charles, MO

Well, if the Packers remain in the seventh seed and the other playoff matches go as expected it could be a very therapeutic road to the Super Bowl.

Whether Green Bay is the sixth or seventh seed, this team will have the opportunity to exorcise as many regular-season demons as it wants in the postseason. But the Packers gotta earn it one game at a time.

Thomas from Cedar Rapids, IA

Not much of a pass rush again, which has been the theme against good teams. On the other side, we knew they would blitz early and often, and they did. Help me understand the lack of screens and quick slants in favor of long-developing pass plays. If I knew more, I'd be a coach, but from a fan's point of view, the game plan sure seemed questionable. Besides the same "we need to execute better" excuse, what am I missing?

I'm not sure, but it does seem like the more stationary Green Bay's offense gets, the harder it gets to push the ball downfield. New Orleans was obviously hurting last week, but the Packers did a great job of mixing pre-snap motions, receiver sweeps and screens into their game plan. Sunday was the second time this season Green Bay didn't have a completed pass to a running back. The other was the Lions game earlier this month.

Mark from Ishpeming, MI

I may be wrong but I'm guessing the Packers' inability to stop short passes whether they be to the left, right or middle isn't a problem. Seems to me something that your opponent can do successfully 80% of the time warrants a different approach.

Xavier McKinney touched on this after the game. Good offenses like Minnesota are going to make plays. It's up to the defense to counter with its own whether it's takeaways, third-down stops or tackles for a loss. The Packers did that in spurts but failed to stifle Sam Darnold once he got rolling. Pressure was too sporadic, as well.

Jay from Janesville, WI

Let's all give props to Carrington Valentine. The guy hasn't given up a touchdown all season. He's been as good as any corner in the league this year, yet his name is rarely mentioned. He might need to work on protecting the ball when it's in his hands, but overall, he's been a lockdown corner. Nice job kid. You have a bright future in this league.

Valentine is the gold standard for what it means to be a seventh-round pick. He has earned every snap he's taken the past two years and parlayed experience into improvement.

Sam from Ronan, MT

Kick a field goal inside the 10 on fourth-and-3, was it? Then, go for it on fourth-and-2 outside of the 20. I didn't hear Coach LaFleur's press conference to see if he addressed it, but I'd really like to see GB either go for it consistently or simply take the points.

I get your point, but game situation matters. As tough as it was to settle for a 22-yard field goal, I understood the decision because neither team scored on its first two possessions. Minnesota answered with a touchdown and LaFleur went with his gut to go for it on the next fourth down. It didn't work out. That's football.

Curt from Pine Island, MN

When Zayne Anderson went down on the kickoff, I figured it was big trouble. What's shaking out of the DB tree?

Losing Anderson early was a heavy blow. Javon Bullard comes back from a two-game absence and (I assume) took all his reps at the nickel in practice. Bullard battled on the back end to the tune of 10 tackles, but that's a tough spot for any returning player to be thrust into.

Bruce from Jefferson, WI

Do you think that sitting Josh Jacobs for the second drive and, going three-and-out with three consecutive passes had an impact on the game? Also, not taking the field goal to make it 7-6 hurt and an egregious defensive encroachment penalty right before the half made it a total of six points. Enough to win the game. Packers' receivers need to get sticky gloves. Every other team must be using them. Jayden Reed's drop was very concerning.

They didn't sit Jacobs. They just didn't give him the ball.