Inbox: It’s about righting the ship in some fashion

Charlie from Morgan Hill, CA

Do you have any thoughts or insight regarding MLF’s comment about Cooper making some splash plays but then tempered by mistakes? Did you notice on film what he was referring to? Are mistakes offsetting all those TFLs?

I wouldn’t say offsetting, but film study tells me he was referring to some pass-coverage assignments.

Tom Brady indicated our receivers needed to be more precise/disciplined on their intermediate routes. Do you agree? Do you see a weakness?

I’m no expert on route running, but the way LaFleur talked Monday about needing to win against man coverage, and the slow adjustment from attacking zone vs. man, speaks to that.

Adrian from Oregon City, OR

Reaction to Monday night: The Lions offense under Campbell/Johnson made fourth-down conversions routine. Do they always succeed? Of course not. But their superpower is players and coaches know the drill, a good play gets dialed up, and confidence leads to good execution. I don’t think the Packers or other teams can match the Lions’ aggressiveness without their preparation and repetition. Trying to be like the Lions might backfire. Thoughts?

I agree. Buck and Aikman (I was listening to the announcers, barely) repeatedly mentioned fourth downs as part of Detroit’s DNA, and it’s been built over multiple years now. I also agree with Terry here.

Good morning Mike. The Lions go for it on fourth down more than any other team. Do you think that puts opposing defenses at a psychological disadvantage? Normally, a defense goes out onto the field thinking, “Stop these guys on the next three plays and we’ll get the ball back.” Against the Lions, they are thinking, “We probably need to stop these guys on the next four plays.” Thanks.

They keep the pressure on, and because it’s what they do all the time, the pressure’s on the opponent, not them. They eschewed a field goal, failed on a fourth-and-goal, and still scored 40 points in that game.

I am watching the Lions game on Monday night wondering in this “copycat league,” do you think other teams will put in trick plays every week ala Ben Johnson in the future. I hate to say it but it looks fun and not really super risky – at least how the Lions execute them. Probably that’s the key.

Nicholas from Washington, DC

Despite the disappointment, there is a benefit to the loss, which is that both the Vikings and Lions will have to play in a gut-wrenching, emotionally draining contest for the NFC North crown. While I hated to type those words, there is a possibility that both teams will be stretched and mentally drained from it, and could overexert themselves ahead of the playoffs. Could this be a blessing headed into the games that actually do matter next month?

I’m not thinking about it as it relates to the Packers necessarily, but the loser of that game having to hit the road and possibly deal right away with a hot QB in Baker Mayfield (last 3 games: 80-102, 950 yards, 11 TDs, 2 INTs, 133.3 rating) will be no picnic.

Playoffs!? Playoffs?! Can we put that talk away for now? We have a wounded animal coming to Lambeau next Sunday. A team GB beat by blocking a field goal in the closing seconds. A team that would love to start 2025 and their rebuild with a W. It’s Bears week, can we start acting like it?

Being totally honest, this game is about the rivalry only to some fans, and to the Bears.

Yes, the Bears have lost 10 straight. But a closer look reveals that half of those losses have been by three points or fewer. And some they should have one. Blocked FG, terrible clock management, etc. In an alternative universe, it could be the 9-7 Bears playing the 10-6 Packers. Yet Packers fans will be disappointed with anything less than a blowout win. What are your expectations?

Cleaner football from the home team.

Jerry from Bonnerville, CT

Lol! You say I have a defeatist attitude, others claim you guys are homers. Who’s more accurate? I’ll put my assessment of this team up against yours every day of the week. 0-5 is all I need to convince me we can’t beat the NFC elite three, and if you think we can turn it around in the playoffs and win four straight, you’re delusional. I’ll enjoy the ride knowing we’ll get eliminated while you agonize the crash. That’s YOUR prerogative. Sometimes leaning on hope means you can’t do the job.

Darryl from Glen Carbon, IL

Good morning, II. I’d like to thank you for the roasting that closed out Tuesday’s inbox. I needed to hear that as much as anyone. For all the sour grapes I’ve hurled in both the Inbox and the live blog, I’m going to move forward in 2025 by respecting the process, have more faith in the leadership and focus on the things I control in my life and enjoy the games for what they are. Thanks for the spankin’.