Dan, a running back from Rice Lake, Wisconsin
Thank you so much for your dedication, Mike/Wes, but remember that Christmas is for family, not for II readers. Please take the day off, whether it is the day before, the day of, or the day after the game. If any reader of II disagrees, they are welcome to come clean.

I had a great Christmas with my family, but the II crew has to return to work. The cat is curled up in my lap, my son is safely nestled into bed, and Baltimore/San Francisco is open on the tablet. Winter has arrived after Christmas.

Jake is a Madison, Wisconsin, native.

I think Matt LaFleur is a good player, and I enjoy the things he has accomplished with our squad in his time here. However, his post-game remarks have become increasingly concerning. Again, another defensive failure, partly attributable to the offence? Really? What am I missing here?

Indeed, you are. If you paid attention to what LaFleur had to say, he discussed how the offence lost rhythm in the fourth quarter and went through a string of three-and-outs as Carolina was mounting a comeback. Although LaFleur was reminding everyone that there are two further phases that must also finish the job, the defence needs to perform far better than it did in the closing minutes. That is the essence of teamwork. It’s not like the leadership is yelling at upset subreddits during an eight-minute press conference deep within an NFL stadium. True leaders watch the film, make the necessary adjustments, and keep their football team on the winning track.

Paul, from Florida’s Port Charlotte

Greetings for the morning. I can’t stand these so-called “Packers supporters” and their whining after a victory. There’s never a terrible win. Herman Edwards, the coach, once observed, “You play to win the game.” The Packers prevailed, so now go on, get ready for the Vikings, and win it however you see fit. WIN ONLY! GPG.

The Packers can pick how much value to place on their victory on Sunday. Despite several errors, the defence performed well enough in the first half to withstand the Panthers’ second half. Although it won’t need to be flawless to defeat Minnesota, Green Bay will have to perform better than it did in Carolina.