One thing I’ve learned in 40 years of coaching is that it is almost impossible to beat the same team three times in a season (even twice actually) when said teams are pretty evenly matched. The way things look to be shaking out is that one way or another it is more likely than not that the Packers and Bears will meet in the playoffs should they both be there. Although I would have loved the win last weekend, I’ll take the even playing field.

I remain in the camp of a second win over the Bears being most beneficial because it would’ve put Green Bay in the driver’s seat in the NFC North. However, that “hard to beat a team three times” maxim is the silver lining to all this if the rivals should meet yet again.

With all this talk about should’ve, could’ve kicked a field goal here or there, I got one thing to say. Field goals keep you in the game, but touchdowns win them for you. Enough said.

Your submission got me ready to run through some lightly reinforced drywall.

Matt from San Luis Obispo, CA

Scott from Hamlin, NY, nailed it. Bill Belichick’s Patriots teams rode his “just do your job” mantra to six titles. The way to close out wins is making the plays you’re supposed to make, not playing hero. Playing hero leads to busted coverages and players out of position. Just “do your job” is all that’s needed when you have a late, two-score lead. Trust your teammates, and “do your job.”

Belichick also rode the greatest player to ever play the game to those titles, too. It’s a bit easier to bake a decent cake when Paul Hollywood is with you in the kitchen.

I don’t know your position on promoting other content. That being said, for those of us that miss WYMM, LeRoy Butler and Tom Silverstein do a YouTube show called Xs and Os. I bring it up because they answer some questions like who should have been where on the fourth-and-4. Having a HOF player explain defensive plays is a treat.

I could listen to LeRoy talk football all day, particularly when it comes to the secondary. I tell Spoon all the time that series is one of my favorite things PackersNews.com does.

Kandy from Wilmington, IL

Merry Christmas guys, I have a question/comment, why would the NFL broadcast this week’s game on Peacock and not a national station? For those of us that don’t have Peacock, especially a home game for playoff seeding. GO PACK GO!

I sympathize with your plight, Kandy, but that’s unfortunately how the world works these days. Live sports is king, and the NFL is at the top of that tall mountain. Streaming platforms such as Peacock, Netflix and Amazon are paying a premium to broadcast games because that’s where the eyeballs (and pocketbooks) are.

Brian from Beaver Dam, WI

Can you explain exactly what concussion protocol means and how a player is cleared; is it a Packers specialist or someone with the NFL? It seems pretty vague once a player is in it.

There’s always been a veil of secrecy in how the NFL handles the concussion protocol and the process itself has evolved over the years. I remember when I first started covering the Packers in 2012, players “passed” the protocol once they practiced. Practicing is now part of the protocol, along with a series of other behind-the-scenes checkpoints and being cleared by an independent neurologist. One thing that hasn’t changed is the league doesn’t allow players to talk to the media until they’ve passed the protocol.

Make plays, not mistakes, beat the Ravens.

This would seem to be an optimal strategy.

Fifteen years ago, I lost my right hand, and my left was permanently damaged due to an undiagnosed, post-operation mistake by my caregivers. How does this relate to the recent Packers loss? Those mistakes were not intentional, and I am sure everyone involved learned from them, and they will NEVER make those mistakes again. If I were to need surgery tomorrow, I would not hesitate to have those same people operate/take care of me. Have faith in the team, hopefully, they will not make the same mistakes again…

I’m sorry to hear that, Joel, but appreciate your kind and authentic perspective. We are all human. Mistakes happen, but that’s often where the greatest lessons are learned.

Herbert from Palm Desert, CA

Merry Christmas, Mike and Wes. Thank you for all that you do. This column is unique to every site in the NFL and you two (with a special thank you to Vic) make it work. May the New Year bring you only thoughtful and grammatically correct questions.

That would be the ultimate Christmas gift. Our same well wishes to you and yours!

Merry Christmas, Wes! May the list of blessings you have in this Christmas season be as long as the Packers’ injury report!

Just want to wish “The ‘Box,” and every last person involved, a very Merry Christmas! Thanks for all you do, all year long! We couldn’t survive without you! GPG.

It’s been a fun year, and I cannot wait to see what 2026 has in store. But we have one more week to go in 2025 and one more game to play…here’s to it being a W. Merry Christmas, folks.