Inbox: Those small things have added up to a big season

[Cheesehead]

Tony from River Falls, WI


In the future, do you see the NFL scheduling more games on NFL Network like Saturday's game? Living in western Wisconsin I always get stuck with the crappy Vikings on broadcast TV instead of the Packers. Gotta love the stupid "local market" blackout plan. Time to move further east maybe...


Listen, I'm not one to bite the hand that feeds, especially this year, but I sure hope not. I've never been a fan of Saturday night games.


Doug from Neenah, WI


With Tyler Ervin on IR, the remaining trio in the running backs room could be viewed as light in quantity...but not quality. Will AJ Dillon get some carries against Carolina to spread out the workload? It wouldn't hurt to have healthy RBs with fresh legs going into the playoffs.


I'm not sure how much Dillon will play against Carolina on offense but getting him back is important for the rest of the season. Matt LaFleur mentioned his return makes it more realistic for the Packers to deploy their two-RB packages again. While Tavon Austin is listed as a receiver, he also factors into this formula with his ability to run jet motions.


Gradon from El Paso, TX


Love your content, guys! You're always part of my morning ritual. That being said, I was watching my other morning ritual, "Good Morning Football," when they were breaking down their "'Cool Plays Bro," and they addressed a play from the Packers game last Sunday. Specifically speaking, it came from Robert Tonyan on that 21-yard completion to Marquez Valdes-Scantling on third down that seems to have been overlooked. Tonyan blocked a defender in into the line which subsequently took out every defensive lineman there. Incredible.


It was a heads-up play by Tonyan to chip the rusher before breaking into his route. From there, the dominoes continued to fall and it gave Rodgers a fortnight to find MVS and comfortably step into the throw. I know everyone uses the touchdown numbers as evidence that Tonyan arrived this year but those small things have added up to a big year for the third-year tight end.


Kevin from Rockton, IL


Hey Wes, it's funny you made a bowling reference in regard to Robert Tonyan's block in the Lions game. It's as if he picked up a 7-10 split with 300-pound bowling pins.


Big Bob…big bowler…who knew?


Nico from Emmenbrücke, Switzerland


Hi guys. Thanks for your daily Insider Inbox – I love it! How Big Bob is playing, is very impressive. What are the chances of the Packers giving him a long-term deal? Thanks…and Go Pack Go from Switzerland.


Tonyan is eligible for an extension this offseason, but as an upcoming restricted free agent, he remains under the Packers' control through 2021. The Packers have used that extra year to work out deals in the past with Lane Taylor and Lucas Patrick, so you never know.


Tom from Douglassville, PA


Other than the week off, I don't see the No. 1 seed as being helpful. Without fans what other benefits do we get?


For starters, not having to fly cross-country in the middle of winter is a pretty good deal. It's also a golden opportunity for the Packers to stay in their routine and play in a familiar environment.