He’s coming along on the defensive line

Hey Mike, would you describe it as you’re Felix Unger to Wes’s Oscar Madison? What was Oscar’s profession?

We’re both sportswriters, so the dichotomy doesn’t quite fit, and for the record, Felix wouldn’t approve of my desk, either.

Nathan from Philadelphia, PA

Loved the retrospective on significant TD milestones in Rodgers’ career. Twenty years ago, there were only two guys with more than 300 career TD passes; now there are 12 (with Russell Wilson probably joining the club next year). Who do you think will be the all-time leader 20 years from now?

I’m going to guess Patrick Mahomes. He’s 26 years old and already has 144 TD passes. Assuming he gets to 150 by the end of this season, his fourth as a starter, that puts him on pace to have 600, maybe more, in another dozen years when he’s 38.

Patrick from Burlington, IL

Do you know what wins games? NOT analytics, but points. At what point will common sense overrule the fad of analytics?

Maybe when teams lose more games like the Chargers just did. I know I’m pretty conservative when it comes to those decisions in general, so I probably lean too far the other way, but I can accept going for it almost anytime on fourth-and-1 (except deep in your own territory). Fourth-and-2 or longer I’ll always be inclined to take the points before the fourth quarter or in a close game. Two field goals is almost as good as a touchdown. It can be easy to forget that.

James from Ottawa, Ontario

Hey II, not a question, just a comment: I (like most) have been incredibly disappointed about the news coming out of Jacksonville for most of the season – and especially over the last week or so. Treating players and employees in that fashion has no place in the league. As an NFL fan, I hope the Jags can now right the ship and the culture over the next four weeks and come back stronger for the wear next year.

They have a potential generational talent at quarterback. It would be a shame for them to waste it due to poor leadership and organizational mismanagement. It’s another lesson the hotshot college coach who succeeds in the NFL is the exception, not the rule. Urban Meyer, Bobby Petrino, Nick Saban, Steve Spurrier and Greg Schiano were massive failures. Bill O’Brien and Chip Kelly did OK. Kliff Kingsbury is doing well. The jury is still out on Matt Rhule. Jim Harbaugh had a lot of success but he was a (fairly recent) NFL QB. I say it all the time in this column, it’s not the same game on or off the field at this level. It’s just not.

Larry #no cake McCarren’s face was a showstopper. I recommend a new game plan next year.

I believe Wes got the message.

This week’s game will showcase two teams that are dealing with a litany of injuries. What do you view as the most important aspect to remaining competitive when faced with injuries?

First, it’s a culture that allows for no excuses, which means the expectations and standard of play don’t change. Accountability remains on everyone, no matter who’s in or out. Second, it’s also about the coaching staff adjusting plans accordingly to play to players’ strengths. You don’t ask Yosh Nijman to be David Bakhtiari, but you put a plan in place to get the best level of play possible out of Nijman, and move forward from there.

Larissa from Minnetonka, MN

Last MVP to win the Super Bowl was Warner and I think the last COY to do it was Belichick in ’03. Therefore, while it pains me to say it, I say embrace the jinx: Please shower Arians/Brady/Kingsbury/Murray/McVay and anyone else in the NFC with personal accolades so that we can achieve greater collective glory. I’m sure both ML and AR would agree.

People were asking what the benefit is of having the No. 1 seed. To me the benefit is in the divisional round opponent. If results hold, we will not have to play TB or Arizona/LA in the second round assuming they beat their first-round opponents. We’ll get the NFC East winner assuming chalk wins. I think avoiding TB for as long as possible will maximize our chances of reaching the Super Bowl. First-round byes are nice but a better second-round matchup is the true value of the bye IMO.

To me, hands down, the benefit of the bye is only having to win two games to reach the Super Bowl while everyone else would have to win three. I know that didn’t work out as planned last year, but I’d still take my chances anytime having to win one fewer game.