Inbox: Today is that day

Insiders, well here we are. I think it’s time to hear those four words. You know what they are, and we need hear them.

Just beat the 49ers. Good morning!

Linda from Lakewood Ranch, FL

Good Playoff Morning! Wes, we’ve finally made it to what we have been waiting for the entire season. Now all the Packers have to do is “Win One Game At A Time! Three More!” Too much to ask for? GO PACK GO! (And be LOUD!)

The opportunity this team has worked for since Jan. 24, 2021, is finally here. Today is that day. And just in case the four words Jerry meant were, “The baloney stops now,” then let’s squeeze those in here, too.

Gary from Chippewa Falls, WI

Receive or defer? I would receive given the weather.

Matt from Burlington , WI

II, geez. Who ordered the weather for Saturday? It’s going to warm up to 12 for the game?

While mildly disappointing, I’ll take actual January weather in Wisconsin over whatever the heck that was during last year’s NFC Championship Game.

It is time for playoff football. Will it be cold? Yes. Will we be yelling until we are hoarse? Yes. The anticipation for the game and the optimism and hope for a victory are just the lead-ins to a magical night at Lambeau Field. Stay strong team, do your jobs as well as you are able, and Go Pack Go!

I like what Rasul Douglas had to say when he was asked on Friday about what his advice is to Eric Stokes playing in his first NFL playoff game: “Just do what you do. This is a regular game. Don’t make the moment bigger than it has to be.” Keep in mind, Douglas is one of the few guys in the Packers’ locker room who owns a Super Bowl ring.

Hello II! Wes, what an amazing piece on Marcedes Lewis. Bravo, sir. I am truly grateful to have a man of such character on this team. The numbers simply do not tell the story of his value. I can only hope we see the Big Dog get in the end zone on Saturday in front of a raucous Lambeau Field. Three more to go. GPG!

Thank you, Myles. And thanks to everyone who reached out regarding the story. Any and all credit goes to Marcedes Lewis and his mom Yvonne. They not only were receptive to me writing the story but also very open, thoughtful and descriptive with their recollections from that very challenging time. With any tremendous story, I do my best to just stay out of the subjects’ way and let them tell their truth. It was an enlightening experience for me getting to peal back the curtain a little bit and gain a greater understanding of how Lewis became the person and leader he is today.

Hey, Wes: Are you ready for our COY lock Matt LaFleur to open his box of creative genius (read: unique, sneaky plays), so we can witness play-calling we may have not yet seen? I know the Niners and his good friend Kyle Shanahan are a bit concerned! This game has made me superfluously curious more than any other this year. GPG!

The NFL Coach of the Year balloting is over but your point stands. The first 15 minutes of this game and the last 15 are going to be crazy. These are two of the league’s better teams when it comes to winning down-to-the-wire games, but as I said during “Final Thoughts,” I thought LaFleur and the Packers are just a little bit better.

With all our injured players potentially coming back, what position do you believe is the “easiest” to return to after a multi-month absence? I would think running back is the easy answer, plus they may even benefit from some rest.

I think we’ll see a lot of Preston Smith and Rashan Gary on early downs, and Za’Darius Smith and Whitney Mercilus providing some rotational depth on third downs and passing situations. It’s the postseason now. It’s all hands on deck. Any reps Za’Darius and Mercilus can take off the plate of Preston and Gary will help this defense.