That win was both a statement and a turning point

Laura from Pittsburgh, PA

Who do you least want to face in the playoffs?

How do you think our defensive can stand up to these high-power offensive playoff teams?

Fine, especially with Kenny Clark and De’Vondre Campbell in the middle. This defense is different when those two players are healthy and available.

Do you believe LaFleur when he says our playoff O-line starters will be a “secret”? At what point will the cat come out of the bag?

I’d say so. I didn’t see any publication reporting Josh Myers would start at center with Lucas Patrick at right guard against Detroit. The Packers have options and there’s always going to be unexpected developments. Shoot, just look at Patrick going on reserve/COVID-19 Wednesday. I didn’t see that one coming.

Dan from Morehead City, NC

I remember watching Brett Favre throw interceptions, and it seemed a quarter of them were tipped off receivers’ hands. Seeing Jordan Love get one this way made me realize that Rodgers hardly ever had this happen. I know a lot of Favre’s were because he threw so hard, but is a Rodgers pass that much more catchable?

Rodgers can throw a pigskin through a brick wall, too, but he’s so much more calculated in how he delivers the football to his receivers. He does take chances but they always seem to be in his team’s favor. For example, he may throw a perceived 50/50 ball to a receiver but he’ll use the sideline as leverage. That’s partly a product of how the game has evolved but it’s also the beauty of how Rodgers plays.

What is David Bakhtiari’s conditioning gonna be like when it’s gameday? In his situation, is he just running 10 miles/day or something to get back into shape, or do we just use him as much as we can use him until he’s more up to speed?

That’s the No. 1 question for any player returning after a long absence. I’m not sure everything that goes into his workouts but Bakhtiari was focusing on conditioning last Thursday for that very reason. All the work Bakhtiari has done is intended to make sure he’s ready to play a full game when that time finally comes.

Hey boys, I’m not the overly superstitious type, but the last time I was published twice in the column was 2010, just saying. Any who, there’s a lot of focus on the star power returning for the playoff push, but who would your pick for a less likely hero be?

Josiah Deguara. I’m not saying it’ll be a big catch like on Sunday. It could be a Kuhn-esque chip block on a free rusher. The offense is tailored to Deguara’s strengths and the young man is finally starting to look like himself again.

Do the Packers start preparing a package for attacking a team like the Eagles (not having faced them) vs. the other teams or have they already started?

If Philly prevails Sunday, the Packers will have a plan to handle Jalen Hurts and the Eagles’ run offense. But no, I don’t expect any new packages to combat Philly’s ground game if that’s the case. As LaFleur said earlier this week, you gotta be ready for anything in the playoffs but you also can’t get too far away from what you do best. You have to trust your training.

Any idea/thoughts on what the condition of the middle of the field is going to look like come Jan. 22-23? It was looking a little worse for wear on Jan. 2 during the Vikings game. Hard to believe it could be improved upon given the recent cold weather.

Allen Johnson and his crew have done a remarkable job of taking care of Lambeau Field, but January is January in Green Bay. Ultimately, nature does start to take its course. My front yard has been frozen and snow-covered for weeks now. So, it’ll be a challenge but frankly that’s a good thing for the Packers. These players and the equipment staff know how to play on this surface. Other teams don’t.

We have two coaches being considered for HC positions after three years in Green Bay. I can’t remember any McCarthy coaches in GB getting the same consideration. Why?

They did. It took a little more time but Joe Philbin landed the Miami job and Ben McAdoo was hired in New York. Tom Clements was interviewed in Chicago and Winston Moss had an interview with Oakland somewhere in there, as well. I think Nathaniel Hackett is ready, though. He has a distinguished resume and the right personality to lead a team. It’s just a matter of when, not if.

No question, just a comment. While Allen Lazard’s success has been a popular topic recently, I’m hoping we see a resurgence from Marquez Valdes-Scantling as the Packers work their way through the playoffs. It’s been a while since we’ve had a big play from MVS, and it would be great to see him stress the opposing defense deep downfield.

I mean, he had five catches for 98 yards and a touchdown in Baltimore before going on the COVID-19 list. MVS came back against Minnesota and then had the back flare up again in Detroit. MVS just needs to get healthy for the playoffs. If that box is checked, the big plays are still there.

If you were offered both the Chicago Bears and Jacksonville Jaguars head coaching jobs, which would you choose? Working with Trevor Lawrence or Justin Fields?

Jacksonville. I think Justin Fields will be a good NFL QB but the Bears are facing another sizeable rebuild, and regardless of how that goes, they’ll still have to contend with the Packers on the other side. Trevor Lawrence had a forgettable rookie year but I still think it’ll be easier for the Jaguars to engineer a turnaround in their neck of the woods.