Joe Barry deserves a lot of credit for the job he…

I keep hearing this is the most entertaining playoffs in a long, long, time and I can’t get the Eric Stokes’ quote out of my head. I can’t watch, it makes the mental torment worse.

I don’t blame you. It has been highly entertaining, though.

For the record I hate asking “next year” questions when like everyone else I thought this was the Packers’ year. With that said, can the fans expect a jump in Year 2 of Joe Barry’s defense along the lines we witnessed in the offense? I understand so much depends on De’Vondre Campbell’s retuning but we can hope, can’t we?

For sure. Joe Barry deserves a lot of credit for the job he did with the defense this year. I’m still in awe of what Barry, his coaches and those defensive players accomplished without Jaire Alexander and Za’Darius Smith for most of the season. There will be changes on defense next year but the Packers still have a core of young playmakers returning on that side of the ball.

Darren from Warrington, UK

Which of the Packers’ 2022 home games do you feel would most likely be moved for an international game hopefully in London?

If it’s going to be any Packers home game in 2022, I would think it’s one of the New York teams. Dallas, New England, Tennessee and the Los Angeles Rams could all be primetime games. I don’t see an NFC North game being played overseas.

David from Schoolcraft, MI

Hello II. Thanks for your grounded approach and response to all news and happenings Packers-related. With regard to the Brian Flores lawsuit, any idea why Eric Bieniemy hasn’t interviewed for a HC position this year?

There’s a lot to sort out with Flores’ lawsuit but the claims are unsettling. We’ll see what becomes of it, but I was very surprised to see Miami let Flores go last month, especially with the run the Dolphins went on midseason. That was stunning to see Flores get fired. Now, we’ll wait and see what to make of all this smoke emitting from these embers.

I know Mike thinks we should all be rooting for the Bengals in the SB, but I just can’t do it. I don’t care about their past, present, or future. I’ve felt bad for Matt Stafford for so many years…such a good QB being stuck on a not-going-anywhere Lions team, his career slowly slipping away. How could any fan with no connection to the Bengals not want to see him finally get a SB ring? You see? There are powerful narratives going both ways…

I think that’s the beauty in this year’s Super Bowl. Yes, it would be cool to see the Bengals finally win a Super Bowl but LA has had to overcome its own obstacles, including its own stadium, to get to this point. I’ll be pulling for the Rams but also won’t be upset if Cincy gets it done.

Tyler from Cross Plains, WI

Not a question, but man, if the Detroit Lions could just find a Super Bowl-caliber QB like Matthew Stafford, they might finally be able to turn the franchise around!

The Stafford trade is a good two-way reminder of how big a difference a QB can make for a contender (in LA’s case) and also how building a winning team is more than just who your quarterback is (in Detroit’s case).

Michael from Berrien Springs, MI

Spoff: “…how can any football fan with no ties to the Rams not be rooting for the Bengals?” I will be very happy for the Bengals if they win, but I am rooting for Stafford…not necessarily the Rams. Burrow will hopefully have many playoff chances to come while Stafford lived through Lions purgatory (as well as all the family illness troubles) and has had precious few opportunities for his chance to cement a legacy.

That’s where I stand on things. Burrow is building a legacy. Stafford, now 33, has the opportunity to rewrite his.

Stafford has performed well and the Rams’ SB appearance is merited, however, I’m not sure they are the poster child for “Win-now” all-ins people think. Stafford nearly fumbled the game away against the Bucs and then nearly threw it away against the 49ers. That he followed up each near catastrophe with clutch throws is a credit to his skill and mental toughness, but ultimately it was mere chance on those plays that prevented the Rams from being viewed as a failed experiment. Slim margins indeed.

Precisely. And his team picked him up when needed. That’s what championship teams do.

What benefits do you see of the Pack living rent-free in the heads of Bears management? I mean, sure, there’s a lot of empty space in there but anything else?

Maybe worry about winning some football games first? Just a thought. I get that you’re trying to send a message to the team, but I just don’t get why all these incoming GMs and coaches need these bumper sticker slogans. You’re running a football team, not a political campaign. Just play football.

Mark from Big Bear City, CA

Wes, I just wanted to say thanks for putting a smile on my face Tuesday with that line they spent draft picks like expiring grocery coupons. Was that just off the top of your head? That’s a great line.

The bottom of my foot, actually.