Mike's Mid-Week Chat: What'll it take to beat the Bears?

[Cheesehead]

I haven't seen many Bears games lately, do you know where their defense is currently ranked? And what aspect of that D may be the weakest that the Packers can attack?


The Bears are fourth in the league in points allowed, giving up 17.8 per game. The loss of Roquan Smith to injury will definitely affect them, but they could be getting Akiem Hicks and Prince Amukamara back this week. I think the Packers can throw the ball on the Bears but that starts with protecting Rodgers from that front, and that's no easy task.


Mike, are you more of a press box or sideline kinda of guy. Does it change if your home or away.


I'm always in the press box because of my job duties. I'm constantly online throughout the game.


Too bad Vic isn't around to fill up your gas tank for you! He loved these temps.


Ha. This is a bit much for Dec. 11, though. Man.


I feel like Rodgers is holding on to the ball longer than he used to. Is he looking for a big play or are the receivers just not getting open?


Some of both perhaps. I don't think Rodgers looks for the big play at the expense of other options, at least not too often, but I do think the offense functions better when the plays are getting the ball out of his hands quickly.


Are there wifi limitations that would prohibit you from accessing internet on the sideline?


No, but there isn't really a spot to set up a laptop. It wouldn't be very productive to try to live blog the entire game from my phone.


So with this last game Eli Manning now has a losing record for his career. Do you think that will effect how history views him, or his ability to get into Canton?


I think Manning's Canton case will be very interesting. Two Super Bowl wins and two Super Bowl MVPs, but a very pedestrian career as far as the regular season goes. I really don't know how the committee will look at it.


2 burning questions continue to vex me; first, why doesn't Wes cover the Inbox on Wednesdays when you're going to be busy doing the Mid-week chat (you ARE the senior writer, after all) & second, what 2 team helmets are missing from the backdrop on the "Unscripted" wall?


I write the bulk of the Wednesday morning Inbox on Tuesday, so it's at least a change to answer questions this way on Wednesdays. I think the Titans are one of the missing helmets. I can't remember the other one off the top of my head.


Do you and Wes exchange Christmas presents, or is his lunch good enough?


Ha, good one. Remember that old NFL helmets lunch box I mentioned in Inbox a couple of weeks ago? A reader sent one to me. Big shout-out to Charles from Omaha. Awesome present. It's prominently displayed on my desk now.


Has Billy Turner or Elgton Jenkins left any part of any game due to injury, even if they subsequently returned?


Not that I can recall.


Hi Mike - Personally, I'm thrilled that the Packers are 10-3 right now, but I have to admit I'm pretty surprised with their record, given the way they've been playing. Fortunately, they've found a way to get it done when they need to most games, but it's concerning that both the offense and defense have looked really off for large portions each game, even against sub .500 teams. What do you think it will take for the Packers to put together a complete game?


You just keep working at it to get more efficient. One third-down conversion by the offense or third-down stop by the defense here or there and things start to look really different. The special teams made a nice, positive impact on Sunday, so that's a good sign. I was just never a believer the Packers were going to blow out these last two NFC East teams, because it rarely works that way in this league. Look at what the Giants did, with Manning returning after two-plus months off, against the Eagles in Philly the other night. Washington had won two in a row coming into Lambeau. It's never who you play, it's when you play 'em.


Have you noticed a difference in how Rodgers leads the team behind the scenes when they they get a win or a loss? Is he the same guy everyday or does a leader need to put some pressure on guys at certain times?


We don't see what goes on in the meeting rooms or at practice during the 11-on-11 segments. That's where a lot of leadership happens so I can't really speak to that. But he clearly has the respect of the locker room, and often this year he has spoken out about all the other leaders who have done their part in that realm as well.


Who has the biggest office at Lambeau?


The three biggest I've seen are the ones you'd expect -- the president/CEO, the head coach, the GM.


Hey Mike, How have you seen the progression for both Robert Tonyan and Jace Sternberger over the season? Do you think these guys can take over that room next season?


I don't know about take over, but they've definitely shown promise. Unfortunately, both would have progressed more this year if not for injuries, but they'll potentially be key pieces to what the Packers are doing down the stretch here.


Hey Mike, I noticed some of the starters out there blocking for Tyler "swervin" Ervin on punt return. I like the commitment to improve that facet of the game. Do you see this being a consistent part of the return game for the remainder of the season and going into the postseason?


The Packers would certainly like it to be. What I noticed is Ervin was able to get solid returns when the gunners were being double-teamed, and when they were being single-blocked. That's important. Ervin gets what is there first and then sees if he can dart and dodge for more.


You can't remember the helmet off the top of your head?


Ha, I'm live here. You have to cut me some slack.