These last three weeks are going to be insane as far as playoff jockeying! I know that coaches have to look at the “big picture,” but I can’t remember a game this important to the hopes of a postseason bid since the season finale in 2013 (coincidentally the same venue for this week with a tie on our record playing into the mix). My question is how does ML and the staff keep everyone locked in on this game and not what’s potentially ahead, W or L?

The finales in 2014, ’16, ’19, ’22 and ’23 have already escaped you, eh? Players and coaches are masters at tunnel vision. It’s how they must live their lives every day, every week, every season.

I feel really good about the Packers’ chances to win this game. I see the keys are limit Bears’ run game so they have third-and-long. Contain Caleb in the pocket. Packers score TDs not FG when they get in the red zone. Is that about it?

Plus protect the football. This Chicago defense still thrives on turnovers. Got three more INTs last week. The Packers can’t forget about the basics and importance of ball security just because they won the first matchup.

Scott from East Helena, MT

I think the upcoming games will be the biggest test of Matt LaFleur. Would you agree?

I can see where you’re coming from, but I dunno. He’s dealt with plenty of tests. The tough spot with a backup QB last September was brought up yesterday. Just two years ago this team was 3-6, hadn’t scored more than 20 points in a game since Week 2, and was staring at back-to-back first-place opponents in the Lions and Chiefs to keep the season afloat. There’s never any shortage of adversity in this league.

Detlef from Breitenstein, Germany

To continue on Jason’s question regarding doomed ACLs: What drove me crazy after the injury was that during the same drive (if I remember correctly) we had Denver at a third-and-13, fourth-and-inches and two potential picks by Xavier McKinney, meaning four chances to get off the field before Micah got hurt. And the topic this week could be to all but secure the NFC North this week with our healthy otherworldly pass rusher. The margin for winning vs. losing or health vs. injury is so small in this league.

I hear you, but playing the “what if” game is no way to stay sane.

Last spring I heard a radio interview with one of the doctors who does the physical exams at the combine. He was asked, “Based on these exams, can you predict which players are going to get injured?” His reply: “Absolutely not.”

Yeah, they aren’t trying to predict anything new or unforeseen with those medical checks at the combine. They’re looking at past injuries, how effectively they’ve healed, and any risks therein.

Kenneth from Lakeland, FL

Follow-up comment for the time frame for ACL recovery. I believe Rod Woodson from the Steelers had the same injury in the first game of the season and made it back for the Super Bowl in 1995 or so. So five months is probably the record.

Woodson is the only player ever to tear an ACL and return to play in the same season. His recovery from Week 1 to Super Bowl XXX was 19 weeks, but even he admitted he wasn’t all the way back, if I recall.

The NFL is an amazing week-to-week league. Not long ago we were remarking about the Cowboys beating BOTH Super Bowl teams in four days. Now the Chargers just copied them in seven days! Time for our Pack to do the incredibly hard and beat Da Bears again… despite our tough week. GPG!

The team that reached seven consecutive AFC title games and the last three Super Bowls has been eliminated with three games remaining, QB injury notwithstanding. That’s all anyone needs to know about how thoroughly unpredictable this league is.

I sure hope other coaching staffs are not reading our coaching coordinator column. The leadership, knowledge and passion that Coach Hafley exudes cannot be hidden, and screams “Head coach” material.

He was a head coach for four years at Boston College, and that level of leadership shines through every time he’s at the podium.

Of all the recent injuries, the one least talked about seems to be Evan Williams. He’s been playing outstanding, and if he misses even one game, it’ll be one game too many. Here’s hoping for a speedy recovery! Oh, and his story about how he was waiting for the trainers to come out on the field to assist him was an absolute classic!

Williams is a real treat, both on and off the field. He’s really come into his own this second season.

Ethan from Fort Collins, CO

We’ve all been waiting for the “breakout game” for Golden, but I’m confused why that wait has been so long. The guy shows a lot of talent when he’s targeted, so what gives? Is it a lack of separation that we don’t see in the games, a lack of targets/low snap count, or is it some grand plan from MLF to ease him into the role?

Last week was his first game at full health since probably October. Before he started dealing with shoulder and wrist injuries, he had a run of 16 catches for 233 yards over four games. In Denver, he had three catches for 55 yards and drew a big DPI downfield. It’s coming, folks, but I believe the wait has been more health-related than anything else.