"Ask Vic" will publish on Monday, Wednesday and Friday during the football season.

Here's the "Ask Vic" Week 9 power rankings:
1. Rams -- Not unbeatable.
2. Patriots -- They just win, baby.
3. Chiefs -- Two softies and then the Rams.
4. Saints -- Playing like a No. 1.
5. Panthers -- Powerful looking in win over Ravens.
6. Washington -- Watch out for the Falcons.
7. Chargers -- At the test in Seattle.
8. Vikings -- Lackluster first half of the season.
9. Ravens -- Will take control with win over Steelers.
10. Seahawks -- Beginning to hit stride.
11. Bears -- Should beat Bills.
12. Steelers -- Le'Veon who?
13. Bengals -- Nearly lost to Bucs.
14. Packers -- Earned respect against Rams.
15. Texans -- Can begin to pull away in AFC South.
16. Eagles -- Still alive.
17. Cowboys -- They better throw it to Cooper.
18. Falcons -- Need to get on a roll.
19. Titans -- Could be fading,
20. Jaguars -- Need to examine selves during bye week.
21. Lions -- Disappointing loss to Seahawks.
22. Broncos -- No longer relevant.
23. Dolphins -- Scheme team.
24. Jets -- Coach watch begins.
25. Bucs -- Firing Mike Smith fixed nothing.
26. Colts -- Arrow pointing slightly up.
27. Browns -- Soft and cheesy vs. Steelers.
28. Giants -- No words.
29. Bills -- Winter on the way.
30. Cardinals -- Moved up one whole spot!
31. 49ers -- Must-lose game vs. Raiders.
32. Raiders -- Should retain lead for top pick.

Eric from West Salem, WI
What do you make of the two trades the Packers made yesterday?
The Ha Ha trade was a self-fulfilling prophecy. His I-won't-be-here whimpering was a message to his coach and teammates he wasn't committed to playing for the Packers. He was in a contract year and he wasn't responding positively. His play was subpar the past two years and, truth be known, I never thought he was the equal of the expectations for him when he was drafted. He was the fans' pick, however, and that seemed to insulate him from criticism, until last season when his performance cratered. By trading Ha Ha, Mike McCarthy is sending a message to his team: Your commitment must be complete or you'll be gone. The Ty Montgomery trade was effectively a release. Events following his kickoff-return gaffe on Sunday demanded he be released. Trading him allowed the Packers to part ways with dignity. They won't be blamed for joining the crowd, including teammates who spoke anonymously of him, who kicked him when he was down. I have a feeling McCarthy's address to his team today will include more than presenting the game plan for this week's game.

Cliff from Washington, DC
Vic, there is a particular breed of wolf that should be very ashamed today. If you think Ty should have been traded/cut, fine. In fact, I think his production and our young talent at the position justifies moving on. But going after him in such a personal manner like too many fans did is disgusting. He is a human being. We are human beings. We must move away from using the cover of internet anonymity to go after people and their families.
The wolf you're describing doesn't howl, it whines. It has no shame. It believes its joy is more important than another person's dignity, and it reacts with anger and ridicule when it has been denied that to which it believes it is entitled. Why? Because it's a lonely wolf that never learned to treat others as it wishes to be treated. These wolves must be ignored.

Brian from Superior, WI
The Packers have had to get rid of several locker room problems recently. Any thoughts as to why?
That's a good question; I wish I had an answer. In my opinion, the anonymous sources Mike Silver quoted are also locker room problems. They also need to go.

​Will from Salt Lake City, UT
Win or lose, football is entertainment and I will be entertained this Sunday night. New England did not look as good as I thought they would on Monday, so what are the keys to victory, as this could be the last time we see this great matchup?
The key to victory is simple: Aaron Rodgers must outplay Tom Brady. The team whose quarterback plays the best will win the game. I say that because I don't see a lot of difference between the two teams. I think the Packers' roster is the equal of the Patriots'. They're ordinary teams with extraordinary quarterbacks.

Greg from Glen Carbon, IL
I was simply in awe of Coach McCarthy during his Monday press conference. He used a fantastic mix of accommodation, sternness and humor to deftly navigate persistent questions about the return/fumble. I don't care one bit for those questions except they give coach yet another opportunity to showcase his incredible leadership. Wow!
He'll call himself out and he'll call his team out, but I've never seen him single out a player for ridicule. He's been called out, by none other than his quarterback, the player around whom McCarthy built his team, but I've never seen him call out his quarterback. Mike McCarthy is a leader of men. He's got a little bit of an internal issue right now, but I have no doubt he'll get it fixed, and in a seamless way. That's what a leader of men and a great football coach does.

Anthony from Milwaukee, WI
Would you ever use an anonymous source?
I've done it and I was never burned, and it's because I would never attribute information to an anonymous source I didn't trust with my byline. Good reporters don't play fast and loose with their news sources. They know who they can trust. Mike Silver is a good reporter. He went on record as saying sources told him the Jaguars were for sale, long before anyone else believed it to be true, and despite Wayne Weaver's denials, Silver was right, the Jaguars were for sale and they were, in fact, sold. Don't blame the media, blame the loose lips inside the Packers' locker room. Fingers pointed, and that's much worse than losing a game.

Daniel from Richmond, TX
Vic, the Packers still have to play away games at New England, Seattle, Minnesota and Chicago. In my opinion, they need to go 3-1 in these games to make the playoffs. Do you agree?
I don't agree. I think the Packers can go 2-2 in those games and still win the division, as long as those two wins are in Minnesota and Chicago.

Sean-Luc from Oceanside, CA
Did Aaron Rodgers set the tone that it's permissible to defy or distrust the coach after the Bills game, when he attributed the sloppy play to the game plan?
No, but I think he created license to criticize another member of the team by using his media platform to criticize his coach. Rodgers is the Packers' leader. He is the best player on that team. He's Teflon. A man in that position must be very careful not to abuse it. I sincerely hope the press conference following the Bills game doesn't become a defining moment for this Packers team.

Pat from Seneca, SC
You previously said you thought the Packers matched up well with the Patriots. Can you expand on that statement?
Rodgers vs. Brady is a good matchup. That's the game, in my opinion. McCarthy vs. Belichick? The last time the two teams played, in 2014, McCarthy outcoached Belichick.

Johan from Pembroke, ON
You mentioned on Monday Sean McVay made a mistake. Was his mistake just gaining a couple of yards on third down and then kicking a field goal and leaving Rodgers with over two minutes left, only needing a field goal to win?
Yep. He didn't play to win, he played not to lose, so to speak, and that usually doesn't work in today's game. His thoughts should've been on scoring a touchdown and going for two. Time was no issue. Running the ball and playing for a field goal was only taking time off the clock McVay likely would've needed, had the fumble on the kickoff not ensued. I think a young coach choked a little. If he doesn't learn from it, he'll lose doing the same thing in a bigger game down the road. The game has changed. You don't turn it over to your defense any more. You win with offense.

David from New York, NY
Vic, I know you've been opposed to cutting Montgomery because of his decision to take the ball out of the end zone on Sunday. Since then, it has come to light he did this against instruction from the coaches. I'm for letting people learn from their mistakes. I agree, cutting him makes the roster worse off. However, I'm concerned about the impact on the locker room. I've played football and I know if a player got off disobeying the coach, I'll think twice before listening to the coach again. Is cutting him necessary to keep order in the locker room?
I didn't say don't cut him. I said don't ridicule him; don't point the finger at him. If my coach points the finger at my teammate, I know he'll point it at me, and at that point I'm not playing for him any longer, I'm playing for me. Loyalty is a two-way street. If you want mine, I gotta have yours. Everything Ty Montgomery said about being a family is spot on.

Ryan from Bloomer, WI
Did Dorsey listen to the howl or was it time? I found it interesting the Browns have fired their last six head coaches after the second Steelers game of the season.
There's no way John Dorsey took that job wanting to keep Hue Jackson. He just needed to wait until the owner came to his senses. Dorsey needs to hire a coach who'll take charge with actions, not words. A couple of Browns were quoted last week as saying the Browns had "unfinished business" with the Steelers. I laughed, and then I looked up the results from games between the two teams in the last several years. The Browns have beaten the Steelers three times since Ben Roethlisberger was drafted in 2004. Yeah, I'd say that's unfinished business. Vic to Browns: Stop talking and start winning. Facta, non verba.

"Ask Vic" will publish on Monday, Wednesday and Friday during the football season.

Joe from Bloomington, IN
No moral victories, but the Packers have young weapons on both sides of the ball. They make mistakes but, if they can make it into the playoffs, they have some chances, don't you think?
I don't think that's the right take from this game. I prefer the big picture: The Packers were the equal of the best team in the league. I don't see this as a championship season. That was never my expectation. I wanted to see growth, and I'm seeing it. I see a first-round pick making plays: five passes-defensed and an impressive open-field tackle at crunch time. I understand Packers fans' frustration about the Rodgers window of opportunity thing, but I think logic and calm analysis will serve fans better than lashing out at Ty Montgomery. Not too long ago, my inbox was full of questions wanting to know what number Montgomery should wear. Finding someone to blame for defeat is easy. Don't surrender to it. It'll only make defeat hurt more.

Matthew from Chicago, IL
History repeats itself; too similar to Seattle.
Sean McVay made a terrible mistake, and he got away with it.

Ramiro from Jurupa Valley, CA
Vic, the Packers were in position to kick a game-winning field goal and it happened. What do you think about the whole thing?
The whole thing? OK, here we go: I think the Rams were bound and determined to run the ball, and Mike Pettine had his defense prepared to stop it. Pettine had his best players on the field, and I like that a lot. He was stopping the run with defensive backs attacking the line of scrimmage. Eventually, the Rams wore the Packers down. A pounder like Gurley begins to find cracks in the defense. Aaron Donald is just too good to hold down the whole game. I thought his second sack was big. At crunch time, the Rams were winning with their superior roster, and the Packers were threatening to win with a superior quarterback. I think the Packers were the better prepared team. They were focused and had fresh legs coming out of the bye week. Yes, I think the Packers would've won the game had it been put into Rodgers' hands needing only a field goal to win, but we can't know that for sure. Maybe Donald would've sacked and stripped Rodgers of the ball. Maybe a pass would've been tipped and intercepted. I think this is a game on which the Packers can build. I liked what I saw. I was impressed.

Brad from Jacksonville, FL
Vic, I’ve been secretly holding out hope Bortles will transform into something more, despite what my eyes tell me. Sunday, a better quarterback takes the Jaguars on a game-winning drive. I truly realized you’re right. There were plays left on the field he just can’t make.
Blake Bortles dinked and dunked for 286 yards. He made plays with his feet and he didn't throw an interception. He was efficient, but he didn't get it done at crunch time, and that's when a quarterback must be at his best. Be that as it may, how about that defense? How about that 75-yard drive at crunch time?

Matt from Manchester, UK
Every game we have lost (or tied) this season, with the arguable exception of the (Washington game), has been caused by moronic plays: Matthews, Brown, Montgomery. The trouble is there’s no apparent consequence for these players and the logical conclusion of that is the ill discipline continues. In my opinion, McCarthy set the tone for that by his public defense of Matthews, who was clearly in the wrong by the definition of the new rules, and by the continued presence of Brown on the squad. Mistakes and errors are fair enough, but all this stuff isn’t that, it’s self-inflicted pain, and it’s the logical consequence of a laissez-faire attitude from the coach.
The moment a coach blames a player for defeat, he's done as a coach. There isn't a player in the league that would respect him or want to play for him. Brandon Bostick was cut, but he wasn't called out by his coach.

Kevin from Rice Lake, WI
What did this game tell us about each team?
This game gave me a higher regard for the Packers' talent level. I didn't like what I saw in their performance against the 49ers. The Rams? They have true balance. They can beat you with the run or the pass, and Aaron Donald is every bit as dominant as his stats would indicate. I don't see a weakness.

Braden from Milwaukee, WI
What did you think of McCarthy's play calling? I don't understand the howl, though I would like to see Aaron Jones more.
The Packers ran the ball just enough.

Nate from Las Vegas, NV
Well, the cream rose to the top.
I thought the Packers were dominating the game. All of a sudden, they were losing, 23-13. The Rams have that kind of sudden talent.

Kyle from Cambridge, MN
I had no expectations for the Packer game. I was looking at it as a measuring stick. When it was all said and done, I was not disappointed. If the play continues to trend in the right direction, they still have a good shot at January football. If not, the growth in the young talent continues to keep me interested.
If it's all about making it into the playoffs, then the formula for doing that begins with winning their remaining NFC North games. I don't see anyone in the North running away from the pack. Yesterday's loss can be overcome, but a loss in Minnesota, for example, probably can't.

Chris from Kitakyushu, Japan
Vic, despite a strong effort, which was obviously the result of quality coaching and preparation, the wolves are howling louder than ever. Can they be placated, or is blood the only answer?
They must be ignored.

Bob from Mystic, CT
I'm over it. There's another game next week, right?
If ever there was a measuring stick game, it's the next one.

Randall from Sun Prairie, WI
Were the Rams playing down to the Packers' level?
I don't think the Rams matched the Packers' energy level until the Rams fell behind and realized they were in danger of losing. The Packers' focus and energy were at their best levels of the season. They were ready to play.

Lori from Brookfield, WI
Vic, what does the Jaguars' recent $64,000 bar tab incident reveal to someone who understands the inner workings of a football team?
The Jaguars lacked focus. They were not ready to play.

"Ask Vic" will publish on Monday, Wednesday and Friday during the football season.

Justin from Delray Beach, FL
With your history in Jacksonville, what are your thoughts on the Georgia/Florida game taking place there?
My first one was in 1995. I remember arriving at the stadium for work early on Monday the week of the game. The parking lot was full of trailers. It was like that for the 16 years I worked in Jacksonville, and it never quite made sense to me. Why would someone haul a trailer to Jacksonville and sleep in a parking lot for a week? It's not as though they were parked next to a beach or a golf course; they were parked under an elevated highway. During the day, they'd sit in lawn chairs outside their trailers. I guess it was the cocktails; that must've been the attraction.

Beaux from Los Angeles, CA
Who was better in their prime, Mike Peterson or Daryl Smith? Smith was probably the better and more versatile player for longer, but those 2-3 prime seasons of Peterson's are probably the best linebacker play Jacksonville has seen. Where do you stand?
Daryl is a good fit on an all-underrated team. Mike is on my favorite-players team. He's my kind of player. Mike got it. He understood what it meant to be a pro and how to give the most to the game and get the most from the game. He has one of those tough-guy personalities that is inviting, not threatening. Late in his career, I did a feature on him. I thought it was time to show a little appreciation for what he'd meant to me as a reporter, plus, I thought he could use some positive PR. The day after the story was posted, as Mike walked past me on the practice field, he winked at me and said, "Thanks." Those are the players I love. They helped me bring the game to my readers, and our appreciation of each other is mutual. Everybody wins! That's how you play the game.

Bob from Australia
Jealous of Brady? I'm really envious of Brady for not having to play at Arizona, at Atlanta, at Dallas, etc. in the postseason. Whilst recognizing the inadequacy of the NFC North, there has been nothing in all of football to match the ongoing exercise in futility that has been the AFC East. Brady may indeed be the GOAT, but I'm not prepared to usher him to the coronation chamber until I see him play where Rodgers has played in the postseason.
Tom Brady won two AFC title games in Pittsburgh. Does that count?

Aaron from Eau Claire, WI
Comparing the Rams and Packers defense, the Rams allow one fewer yard per game, 0.2 more yards per play, 0.3 fewer sacks per game, and a six percent worse third-down-stop percentage. Is the difference between these two teams actually the offense and turnovers?
That's a good question to answer on Monday. Let's wait to see what our eyes tell us.

Mark from Wausau, WI
Vic, is it me or are more teams than ever going into the win-now mode and trading draft choices for players? If true, why is the window shrinking for GMs and coaches to succeed?
Big salaries and their accompanying high expectations have created impatience. The long view has been replaced by a myopic demand for immediate results. At midseason, I believe 75 percent of the teams in the league consider themselves to be title contenders. Most of them probably believe one player could be a game-changer for them. The Packers need a pass rusher, the Steelers need a cornerback, the Jaguars need a quarterback. That's the mentality, driven often by job insecurity, that's causing teams to trade draft picks to the 25 percent of the league that knows it's not a title contender. The fans like it.

Antonio from Kimberly, WI
Even if the Raiders absolutely won the Amari Cooper deal, how will Jon Gruden convince his team this season is still important?
Players play for the tape. They play for their jobs.

Richard from Clearwater, MN
We know this next stretch of five games for the Packers will be difficult, but which of the next five opponents do you feel the Packers match up with best?
I think the Packers match up well with the Patriots. I think the Packers can win in New England. I expect the Packers to win at home against the Dolphins, and I don't see anything especially daunting about the game in Seattle. The Vikings? I'm not sure about that one. Aaron Rodgers will probably have to wear his Superman costume for the Packers to win in Minnesota.

John from Austin, TX
In hindsight, of course, the Titans going for two was the wrong call, however, I understand the mentality of running your best play to get two yards and getting the heck out of  there (one way or the other).
If you go for two, two things can happen and only one of them is good. If you kick and go into overtime, three things can happen and two of them are good. This season is proving the value of a tie. Going for two is against the percentages.

Mark from West Allis, WI
A photo looking toward the peristyle end zone during Super Bowl I shows a paltry crowd. I assume the sideline crowds were packed in, but it's a stark contrast to the frenzy surrounding a Super Bowl game today. Tell us a story, Vic.
The price for a ticket to Super Bowl I was $10 and the game wasn't sold out. The NFL is the greatest success story in pro sports history and, in my opinion, Pete Rozelle is its author.

Matt from Georgetown, TX
Vic, I agree with your assessment of college football: too many meaningless games that were decided well before the first snap of the ball. I will give it one advantage over the NFL, though. You don't see NFL teams doing things like Iowa does when it waves to the patients in the children's hospital every home game. Seeing a whole stadium do that catches me.
I think it was last year I became aware of that story; I think it was the Penn State-Iowa game. I was moved to tears. The recent Ohio State-Purdue game provided a similar story. The young man at the center of that story spoke as eloquently as any statesman I can remember. Ohio State didn't have a chance. The heavens were calling Purdue's plays.

Mark from Ventura, CA
Thanks for making the day more enjoyable. Treat to read the power rankings. Just the right amount of spicy balance of bite and truth.
I like a day that begins with truth and ends with hope.

Mark from East Troy, WI
Vic, have the Saints given up on next year's draft? They will pick in the second round, and then not again until the fifth.
They're all in for what's left of the career of the most significant sports personality in New Orleans history. It's understandable because when Drew Brees hangs them up, football won't be the same for Saints fans and Katrina survivors alike. Brees is more than a great quarterback, he's a symbol of a region's pain and recovery from it.

Ryan from Bloomer, WI
I'm not a big metrics guy. Can you explain the 2-1-8 on offense and 7-12-9 on defense you referred to about the Rams?
No. 2 in total offense, first in rushing and eighth in passing; No. 7 in total defense, 12th against the run and ninth against the pass. When I look at the league rankings, I look across the rankings stat line for the teams that have true balance. For example, No. 3 in total offense, 32nd in rushing and No. 1 in passing could be the result of garbage-time yards. Or No. 32 against the run and No. 2 against the pass doesn't tell me much about that team's pass defense because they're so bad against the run nobody needs to pass against them. Balance says it all. The Rams run it and pass it with equal aplomb, and they stop the run, stop the pass and give opposing offenses little alternative in moving the football. In other words, they have no weakness. The great teams possess balance.

Ramiro from Mira Loma, CA
Vic, love this time of year! In my yard, the pomegranates are bright red, ripe and splitting open. The peaches are sweet and juicy, and the guavas are big, sweet and plentiful. The only barren tree is the edge rusher one. Any idea when and where the Packers could possibly find one?
They'll have to find one on the draft tree. T.J. Watt was on the draft tree.

Jim from Maple Grove, MN
Vic, you dropped the Bears quite a bit (below the Packers even) after a narrow loss to a Super Bowl contender. Did you see something in that game that's not reflected in the final score?
They've allowed a total of 69 points in the last two weeks. That's soft.

Sean from Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Vic, with Clay Matthews in a contract year, being 32 years old and having 1.5 sacks this year, and the supposed depth of pass rushers in next year's draft, do you see the Packers re-signing him?
The rest of this season will certainly answer your question. At this point, my expectation is the Packers will move on at that position. They have to find a young pass rusher. They've spent too many picks on pass defenders. They need to go hard for young rushers.

Tim from Jacksonville, FL
I can't think of a reason Watson wasn't a top three pick. Was his performance against an Alabama defense in the biggest stage not a good enough indicator of what he would be? Caldwell should lose his job over this.
I loved him. Any question I had about him he answered in that national title game. Alabama decided to test his toughness. They hit him hard and they hit him cheap, and Watson responded with courage and talent not even Alabama could match. Earlier that season, I asked Brian Gutkunst what he thought of Watson. "I think he's got some magic," Gutekunst said. You bet he does. The Jaguars were committed to Bortles, so they passed on Watson; I guess that's the reason. It goes to show how sensitive that position is. The Jaguars were also committed to Byron Leftwich, so they passed on Ben Roethlisberger and Aaron Rodgers. When you make a mistake at that position, you can pay a heavy price for a long time.

Ryan from Green Bay, WI
Vic, where would Seattle be if it didn’t draft Wilson and trusted Matt Flynn? Where would every team that signed Bradford or Osweiler be if they just drafted a QB instead of putting their faith in an injury-prone player or backup?
When you don't draft the best available player, you leave that player for your competition to draft. Then it becomes a double hit: You don't have him and now you have to play against him. That's what the Jaguars are facing with Watson.

"Ask Vic" will publish on Monday, Wednesday and Friday during the football season.

Here's the "Ask Vic" Week 8 power rankings:
1. Rams -- Packers' turn.
2. Patriots -- Winning the close ones.
3. Chiefs -- Broncos shouldn't pose a problem.
4. Saints -- Revenge!
5. Vikings -- Making their move?
6. Washington -- Peterson in comeback player bid.
7. Ravens -- Quality loss.
8. Chargers -- Rest time.
9. Panthers -- Newton gets it done at crunch time.
10. Steelers -- Who are they? Time to find out.
11. Lions -- They're building something.
12. Seahawks -- At the test in Detroit.
13. Bengals -- Bucs will help them recover.
14. Packers -- Now we'll find out.
15. Dolphins -- Hot weather impostor.
16. Bears -- Growing pains.
17. Texans -- Time to make a move.
18. Eagles -- Not a title contender.
19. Cowboys -- Five-yard penalty was the difference.
20. Jets -- Crossroads game in Chicago.
21. Falcons -- Bye, or bye-bye?
22. Bucs -- It's all about Winston.
23. Titans -- Going for two was the wrong call.
24. Jaguars -- Not too long ago, they were No. 1.
25. Browns -- Big one in Pittsburgh.
26. Broncos -- Respectable, nothing more.
27. Colts -- Best 2-5 team in the league.
28. 49ers -- Showdown in Arizona.
29. Giants -- In the hunt for first overall pick.
30. Bills -- Worst 2-5 team in the league.
31. Cardinals -- Byron Leftwich will attempt the impossible.
32. Raiders -- Trade everyone!

Craig from Cedarburg, WI
How would you attack the Rams' stout defense?
You have to make them play the run or they'll turn the game into a sack fest. When you pass, get rid of the ball quickly or the Rams will turn the game into a sack fest. Get my point? You beat the Rams by playing your best football and hoping they don't play theirs.

Matt from Georgetown, TX
Vic, a couple of years ago you said you weren't going to use the name of the team in Washington out of respect for native Americans, but in Monday's column you used it. What changed?
I forgot. I'll try to remember.

Pat from Seneca, SC
Every team has a weakness. What is the weakness of the Rams?
Their weakness is they're undefeated and coasting to a division title. Maybe they'll take the day off. Otherwise, I don't see a weakness. They're 2-1-8 on offense and 7-12-9 on defense. Those are the best triangle numbers in the league.

Brent from Dubuque, IA
Giorgio "Don’t Call Me Sergio" Tavecchio makes a long one for the Falcons. Interesting to see familiar names pop up around the league. I wish him luck in his career.
I covered an undrafted tight end in Jacksonville named Isaac Smolko. Jack Del Rio mistakenly referred to him in a press conference as Ivan Smolko, which caused me to dub him Ivan "Don't Call Me Isaac" Smolko. When Mike McCarthy referred to Tavecchio as Sergio, I got an idea. Football can be fun, if you let it.

Joey from Venice, CA
A first-round pick for Amari Cooper. What were the Cowboys thinking? Does this trade make any sense to you, Vic?
It makes about as much sense as the Deion Branch trade did. Wide receiver fever can be fatal.

Tyler from Augusta, GA
Vic, love this blog. It is truly a highlight of my day to read your work. My question is, if you are Gruden, are you willing to trade Derek Carr for a first-round pick? If you are the Jaguars, are you an interested partner at that price? Keep up the great work!
I think it would be a mistake for the Raiders to trade Carr; I think he has franchise-quarterback talent. If I'm the Jaguars, I'm interested in trading for him, but only if I believe he's agreeable to restructuring his contract. His salary would fit nicely on the Jaguars' cap this year, but next year his salary spikes to nearly $20 million for four consecutive years, and that's a number that needs to come down if the Jaguars are to surround Carr with the players he needs to be able to win.

Robert from Green Bay, WI
Vic, going to the Coliseum for the first time for the Rams-Packers game. Any great memories there? Anything I should keep an eye out for?
The last time I covered a game at the LA Coliseum, the press box was deemed unfit for occupancy and I sat in a makeshift outdoor press box at the peristyle end of the stadium. My enduring memory of the Coliseum is of the visitors locker room, which included locker stalls with doors that allowed players to shut out the media. Behind one of those doors, Joe Gilliam shut out the media in 1975. That was the night it became apparent Gilliam was battling a drug addiction problem. The Coliseum is the worst NFL stadium at which I've covered a game. It's not always a friendly place. Please be careful.

Sam from Madison, WI
Following last season's Big Ten championship game loss to the Buckeyes, I read the Badgers lost the game three years prior on signing day. If Vic were head coach, how would he go about winning on signing day?
Wisconsin needs to schedule more aggressively. I sense too much protectionism within the Wisconsin football program. It's almost as though they're afraid to lose. That won't work in recruiting. Recruits want to know they'll be playing in big games, high-profile games. Forget about rankings and meaningless bowl games. Next year's out-of-conference schedule is weak, but Wisconsin plays Notre Dame the following year. That's a step in the right direction.

J.G. from Silver Spring, MD
Vic, what's the right perspective to have on Bortles? Obviously, the last three weeks have been unmitigated disasters, but before that he had games against the Patriots and Jets in which he looked like a QB who could win against any team. What leads to such inconsistency in his performance?
He has a long, slow throwing motion that makes it easy for defenders to read and react, and it's especially a problem on deep throws. It was at its worst in the Kansas City game. Colin Kaepernick has a similarly deliberate motion and I think it held him back. Additionally, Bortles does some little twisty thing with his hand and wrist that causes the ball to wobble grotesquely. In other words, his mechanics are a problem and I'm not sure they can be fixed permanently. When a quarterback throws a tight spiral, it's almost as though the ball catches you; it grabs your hands. Bortles is a tough guy. He has strong leadership qualities. He's got all of the intangibles you want in a starting quarterback. His ability to throw the football is the issue. The Jaguars are at decision time on him.

Isaac from Nashville, TN
Vic, how would you characterize Coach Belichick's attitude toward the run game?
He uses it to achieve play-calling balance, which helps quiet the pass rush and limits Tom Brady's exposure to it.

Anthony from Milwaukee, WI
I think Jon Gruden was on to something about Mack. The Raiders defense stunk last year with him and stinks this year without him. Meanwhile, the Bears were a top 10 defense last year without him, and the last two weeks I think I've seen the Bears post "missing" flyers around Chicago looking for him.
Your comments remind me of what Branch Rickey told Ralph Kiner when Kiner wanted a big, new contract. Rickey told Kiner, "We finished last with you, we can finish last without you." Hey, the Lions are looking pretty good. What if the Bears finish last in the NFC North? How would that trade look then?

"Ask Vic" will publish on Monday, Wednesday and Friday during the football season.

Brad from Jacksonville, FL
Vic, benching Bortles seems to show a definite change from the offseason perspective. Kessler seems efficient but doesn’t seem to have a particularly strong arm. All this offense needs is efficient, time-eating drives to keep the defense off the field. Where do you go from here? Let Kessler run the show, cut Bortles in the offseason and draft a quarterback?
As I wrote back in the spring -- remember the guy who got his chest all puffed out? -- it's a fluke that a team could go as deep into the playoffs as the Jaguars did last season by playing around its quarterback. I didn't say the Jaguars didn't have a good defense or a good running game, just that they won without putting the ball in their quarterback's hands, so to speak, and that's not the way it's done in today's game. Well, the decision to stick with Bortles has come home to roost. Yes, puffed out chest man, last year was a fluke. For the Jaguars to be a true title contender they need a quarterback they can trust with the ball in the fourth quarter. Obviously, there will be change at the position in the offseason. As for now, I think Doug Marrone needs to challenge Blake Bortles to up his play. I didn't like Marrone's postgame comments yesterday about benching Bortles. They were almost apologetic. I would say "we need better play at the quarterback position," and I would reinstate Bortles as the starter, but he'd be on a short leash.

Tom from Cornelius, NC
Vic, for me the Saints and Ravens game is the best of the NFL: hard-fought battles in the trenches, commitment to the run, calculated passing attack set up by the run, aggressive coaching and clean, professional play by the players. What Sunday game was your favorite and why?
I thoroughly enjoyed the Cowboys-Redskins game and for a lot of the same reasons you enjoyed the Saints-Ravens game. Adrian Peterson was a joy watch run with the football. I tip my hat to the Redskins. They made several good moves in the offseason, and Jay Gruden is doing a lot better job coaching the Redskins than his brother is doing coaching the Raiders. I also got a kick out of Chatty yesterday. On the big hit Dak Prescott took along the sideline, Chatty diagnosed Prescott with a concussion and had him on his way to the hospital for a head transplant before Prescott got up off the ground.

Karl from Albuquerque, NM
Vic, is there a league-wide kicker virus? Can't remember seeing so many kickers miss important kicks.
I think kick defenses are doing a better job of rushing the kicker from the wings. They appear to be directing the kick by cutting the kicker's window in half.

Jack from Chicago, IL
Vic, you said you don't like red uniforms. The Chiefs, 49ers, Cardinals, Redskins, Falcons and Bucs all have red jerseys. Which of those do you like the most and which could you do without?
I like the 49ers, Redskins and Chiefs, in that order. The other three are Joe's Bar.

Joe from New York, NY
Is it an overreaction to last night if I feel the Bengals have held on to Marvin Lewis for too long?
I think they've held on to Vontaze Burfict too long.

Eric from Green Bay, WI
Vic, when you say teams convert salary to signing bonus, what percentage of the salary can be converted? What are the advantages? What are the consequences?
You can convert the amount above the minimum wage for the player at his level of experience, which is largely what the Patriots have done with Tom Brady and several teams have done with star players they believe will be with the team deep into the future. The positive is you make room on the current cap; the negative is you reduce space on future caps and you invite dead money. Now that Brady is getting closer to retirement, the Patriots have begun unwinding the proration that's been pushed out. For example, Brady's salary in 2016 was $764,705, when his dead money was over $40 million. This year, his salary is $4 million and his dead money is $28 million. Next year, he's due to make $14 million in salary and his dead money drops to $12 million.

Lori from Brookfield, WI
Vic, was the Belichick-Brady combination vital to the success of both the coach and the player, or would they have accomplished NFL greatness without each other?
It's been a winning combination because Bill Belichick is the best at patching and Tom Brady is the best at making do with what he has around him. Would Belichick have achieved greatness without Brady? Belichick was 5-13 and on his way to being fired when he made Brady the starter.

Gregory from Milwaukee, WI
I know you aren’t in love with college football these days, but what have you got against the Badgers? At least get your facts right if you’re going to trash them. For the record, in the last 55 games (‘14 thru ‘17) their collective record against top 20 teams is 10 wins and eight losses. They have won their last four bowl games, three vs. ranked opponents and the fourth against USC. This year, they have lost to Michigan badly on the road but beat Iowa at their place in a night game. That ‘16 schedule was the toughest in the country. Overall winning percentage is 80.7 percent. Not bad for a place with very high academic enrollment standards for all students, even football players.
I think I hear "On, Wisconsin" being played in the distance. Gregory, the infomation I cited in my column came from a tweet by Dave Bartoo of CFBMatrix. It inspired a story ("How well does Wisconsin actually perform against more talented teams?") I found mildly interesting. Maybe you'd also find it interesting. First of all, Bartoo does not include bowl games in his analysis, for the obvious reason. Bartoo is a college football expert who hangs out with Paul Finebaum, which is high-end company on the college level. I get the point of the story and I think it pertains to a lot of college teams: They build their ranking on beating bad teams. Congratulations on your victory over Illinois.

Craig from Cedarburg, WI
You speak the truth about the Badgers. They don't play up in the big games. Is it simply not recruiting enough talent?
Bartoo concludes his tweet with: "They don't have the talent." I'll tell you what else they don't have: a signature win. Purdue has one. I think Wisconsin needs a signature win as much as they need more talent because a signature win would help them recruit more talented players.

Donovan from Al Qayyarah, Iraq
Do you like the move the Jags made for Hyde? I do. It's cheaper to get a pounder RB to make Bortles better than trade for a legitimate QB.
I repeat: You can't play around your quarterback and expect to win a championship. Doug Pederson knew as much and that's why he turned Nick Foles loose in the Super Bowl.

Steve from Eau Claire, WI
There was an article this week noting Aaron stayed on the field, rather than heading over to talk to Coach McCarthy during two timeouts last Monday night. The article speculated this action could indicate a possible rift between Aaron and the head coach. You know the game and the intricacies of coach and player relations in general. Any feel for something like this, or is it just the usual article trying to stir the pot a bit?
Blame the media? No, I think it's a credible observation. Rift? So what? Terry Bradshaw and Chuck Noll had a rift and they won four Super Bowls together. Otto Graham told me he had to be restrained by a teammate from going after Paul Brown on the sideline and they won seven championships together. Roger Staubach asked to be traded because he was angry at Tom Landry for the two-QB system Landry was using. There's even rumors Brady and Belichick don't get along. What do you want, love or championships?

Tim from Lancaster, PA
How do you think Byron Leftwich will do as the offensive coordinator for Arizona?
Byron is one of the most intelligent football players I've ever covered. I'm not surprised he's moved up the coaching ranks as quickly as he has. He'll do well.

Will from Madison, WI
After the heights of the 1970's, what was it like covering the Steelers in the 1980's? What moments stick out from that era for the franchise?
I remember them not being able to draft Joe Montana because they had forfeited the third-round pick they would've used to draft Montana, and I remember them passing on Dan Marino at a time when Terry Bradshaw had just undergone elbow surgery and would only play one more quarter of football in his career. When you don't draft either of two local kids who would go on to become quarterback legends, you're not going to have a good decade.

"Ask Vic" will publish on Monday, Wednesday and Friday during the football season.

Nick from Owego, NY
Imagine if McCarthy and Tomlin could add one past player (in their prime) from any year to help their team out this season, who would they add? For example, McCarthy could add, say, Kramer and Tomlin could add Greene.
I think Coach McCarthy would pick Reggie White and Coach Tomlin would pick Rod Woodson. The Packers need a disruptive, pass-rushing force, and the Steelers need a cornerback they can trust in man coverage.

Jerry from Savannah, GA
Vic, Mike Leach said creating offensive balance isn’t about having run/pass balance, but about distributing the ball evenly between your best offensive players. What do you think about that?
I disagree because you're exposing your quarterback to too many pass rushes and potential injury if you don't have a respectable balance between run and pass. Also, teams that don't run the ball tend to not stop the run and play tough defense. They tend to be one-trick ponies. When you're not a complete team, you can be schemed against. A team that can't run the ball allows the defense to ignore the run and intensify its pass rush, putting the quarterback at even greater risk. Even in today's pass-happy game, the running game is important and most good coaches are looking for a way to achieve balance between run and pass. In the Packers' case, I think better defense will help them achieve balance. They got behind early against the Bears, Redskins, Lions and 49ers, and it took them out of whatever plan they had to run the ball.

Jay from Minneapolis, MN
The narrative I hear is Aaron Jones gets limited opportunities because he can't block the pass rush. Is that what you're seeing?
He missed a block that allowed the rush to get home in the last game, and though he might have potential as a receiver out of the backfield, he doesn't appear comfortable, yet, in that capacity. As it stands now, I see Jones as a role back. He's an accomplished toss-sweep runner, and Coach McCarthy has confidence in Jones to execute that role. In time, that role will be expanded, but he can't become a three-down back until he can block and catch.

Lori from Brookfield, WI
Vic, which big game is on your radar this weekend?
I like Saints at Ravens. It's the immovable object vs. the irresistible force. Might this be a Super Bowl preview? I also like Patriots at Bears (the litmus test for Chicago), Texans at Jaguars (division hopes on the line for Jax), and Bengals at Chiefs (which fast start will fizzle?)

Bob from Australia
The main difference between the Patriots and the Packers isn't postseason Brady, it's the division they play in, allowing Brady to play with a week's bye and homefield advantage throughout most postseasons.
In the five years I covered the Packers, I didn't think the NFC North was especially tough. The Lions had that crazy record of not winning on Wisconsin soil, and the Packers dominated the Bears to the point I thought it was the most overrated rivalry in sports. The Vikings? The Packers were 8-2-1 against them. I don't understand why Packers fans struggle to acknowledge what Tom Brady has accomplished. He's the all-time leader in postseason wins, 27. You can use stats to build a case for or against anybody, but when a guy has played as well and for as long as Brady has in the postseason, the only reason to dispute his greatness is jealousy. I'll acknowledge he's played on teams that have had better defensive personnel than the Rodgers Packers teams. Ty Law, Darrelle Revis, Rodney Harrison, Lawyer Milloy, Richard Seymour, Vince Wilfork, Tedy Bruschi and Junior Seau late in his career were standout defenders, but Brady has made a lot of average talent on offense look good. You're not going to win this argument with me. Brady deserves to be acknowledged as the greatest quarterback of all time, and without equivocation.

Rob from Washington, DC
Vic, after six weeks, NFL TV ratings are up while seemingly all other sports are down. For all those people who said they were going to quit watching due to rule changes and controversies, what happened?
I guess they got tired of watching The Best Thing I Ever Ate, 24 Ladders In One, and Do You Poop Enough? Seriously, I didn't put a lot of stock in declining ratings of recent seasons and I don't think the explosion in ratings this season is indicative of a shift. The NFL was king, still is king and will likely remain king for the foreseeable future. So what's happened to cause the improved ratings? I think the answer lies within the TV industry, not within the popularity of football. I'd like for a TV executive to explain it.

Mark from Eau Claire, WI
What's your favorite Bob Dylan song?
Don't Think Twice, It's All Right. I just love those words.

Steven from Yorktown, VA
I am a victim of the player safety era. My mother absolutely refused to sign the waivers to let me play high school football. I would lift with the team every spring up until my junior year, hoping my mother would relent. She never did. I will not allow my son the same fate. My point is to thank you for welcoming me into the fraternity of football, and for painting such a vivid picture that I can’t help but imagine having not played myself.
One of the great thrills of my life was hearing the coach call my name to go into the game. I never expected it. I raced onto the field and into a huddle I never knew other than in practice. All of a sudden, I belonged. I saw it in the other eyes in the huddle. I felt the greatest sense of worth I had known to that point in my young life. While watching film of the game on Monday, when it got to my play the coach said, "Welcome to the varsity, Ketchman." I'm sorry you were denied that joy.

Ben from Columbus, OH
Vic, what do the Jags have to do to get their season back on track? I know you always say "help is not on the way," but do you think Fournette can make a big difference for this team once he returns?
That would be the hope. They need to make defenses commit more personnel to stopping the run; I think it's the only way Blake Bortles can become effective again. The word is out: Make Bortles beat you. I don't think he can. Even when he played well last year, Leonard Fournette was the reason for it. The Jaguars win with Fournette, not Bortles.

J.T. from Charlotte, NC
Vic, I just watched the movie The First Man and was surprised to find the howl of the wolves so fierce with regard to NASA. What was your opinion of the Apollo missions?
Who could forget where they were on that night in July of 1969? I remember hearing the "one small step" words and then walking out onto the porch and looking up at the moon. Who didn't look at the moon and think someone's up there?

Kelly from Ellsworth, WI
Vic, does it take longer for a top corner to blossom than an impact pass rusher? If it does, maybe the Packers played it right, especially if, as I've read, the next draft class is relatively deep with pass rushers.
I think it does take longer to groom a corner. I think running backwards is more difficult than running forward.

Derek from Eau Claire, WI
What do you think the next month holds for Le'Veon Bell? Do you see anything changing?
I think he knows he made a mistake and the situation will worsen if he comes in out of shape and plays poorly. James Conner is making Bell look very replaceable. Why sign Bell to a big contract when you can replace him with a third-round pick? I think the Steelers are lucky Bell didn't sign the contract they offered him.

Steve from Lake City, MN
I don't think we need the next three games to find out who the Packers are. I think we know.
Did you know who the Packers were in 2010 when they lost at home to the Dolphins?

Aiden from Jacksonville, FL
What’s going on with the Jaguars defense? Even after the loss to KC, you mentioned the Jaguars defense did not have any underlying issues. It’s baffling such a solid unit is playing like this. What are your thoughts?
They ran into an ambush in Dallas. Defense isn't the problem in Jacksonville. Maybe the beating the Jags took in Dallas will shut up Jalen Ramsey and allow that defense to play without the distraction he creates. Offense is the Jags' problem.

Mike from Rochester, MN
With respect to the howling of the wolves, how much harder is it for a modern-day GM and coach to keep their jobs than it was in the '70's?
Chuck Noll is the perfect example. He was 1-13, 5-9 and 6-8 before he turned it around in year four with an 11-3 record and a spot in the AFC title game. In today's game, Coach Noll might not have made it to year three, certainly not year four.

Nathan from New York, NY
Should the Jaguars trade for Nick Foles?
The Jaguars have to do something, if they really want to salvage this season and become a playoff contender. Foles didn't play very well early this season, and that might be to the Jags' advantage because it's probably lessened Foles' trade value. First-round pick? Absolutely not. Second-rounder? You'd have to hold me down. Third-round pick? Do it.

Mike from Somerset, WI
The AFC North and NFC North are tightly coupled after six weeks. What is your prediction for each division's champion?
Ravens and Vikings.

Justin from Delray Beach, FL
We haven't spoken much on the subject of college football this season. What are your thoughts so far with the top 10 teams?
Ohio State will beat Alabama in the national title game. By the way, I saw an interesting stat on Wisconsin. In their last 54 games, the Badgers have played just nine times against top 20 teams. They are 1-8 in those games. That's an example of what I don't like about college football. Too much fluff. I wonder how many other teams have built their ranking by beating bad teams.

Ray from Clark, NJ
Vic, what are your thoughts on the legality of the stiff arm? Of course, if someone jams a hand into your face, jolting your head, you will fall back. Seems like an unfair advantage for the ball carrier. It is illegal for any other player. Also, not very safe in the player safety era.
I'm surprised someone hasn't developed a technique for grabbing the arm and breaking it. A couple of those and I have no doubt the stiff arm would go the way of the head slap.

Adam from Wausau, WI
If you were Kaepernick, would you meet with President Trump?
Absolutely I would. It would be a chance for Colin Kaepernick to promote the real intent of his protest.

"Ask Vic" publishes on Monday, Wednesday and Friday during the football season.

Here's the "Ask Vic" Week 7 power rankings:
1. Rams -- Headed for showdown in New Orleans on 11-4.
2. Patriots -- Look who's back.
3. Chiefs -- Showed some grit.
4. Saints -- At Ravens and at Vikings next two weeks.
5. Ravens -- Dominant defense.
6. Chargers -- Something happening here.
7. Vikings -- At Jets not a soft touch anymore.
8. Steelers -- Big Ben big at crunch time.
9. Bengals -- Burfict is a distraction.
10. Bears -- Mack no factor in Miami.
11. Redskins -- Quality win vs. Panthers.
12. Panthers -- They leave a bad taste.
13. Dolphins -- Can knock off another NFC North visitor.
14. Lions -- Hydration is the key.
15. Seahawks -- I like them the most when I don't like them.
16. Packers -- They've earned the rest.
17. Eagles -- Can make a statement against Carolina.
18. Cowboys -- Can make a big move up with win at Redskins.
19. Jets -- Darnold says not so fast, Mahomes.
20. Falcons -- Giants this week and then another bye.
21. Titans -- See Jaguars.
22. Jaguars -- See Titans.
23. Texans -- Big one at Jaguars.
24. Bucs -- Panic time has begun.
25. Browns -- Meltdown vs. Chargers.
26. Broncos -- Vance Joseph on way out.
27. Bills -- Poor Nathan Peterman.
28. Colts -- Arrow pointing down.
29. 49ers -- No hype, no hope.
30. Giants -- Barkley is the only bright light.
31. Cardinals -- Everybody's job in jeopardy.
32. Raiders -- Extreme awfulness.

Nick from Fond du Lac, WI
Vic, is there some metric that tries to capture how exciting (or nerve wracking) a team is? Maybe games won/lost on the last play? If so, do you think the Packers are on top of this metric? Clearly I'm biased, but it feels like whether it's a good team or a bad team, they usually manage to make it interesting.
It's the way of the league. Up is down and down is up on a weekly basis. The Bucs were undefeated and fans were wearing beards to celebrate Fitzmagic; now the Bucs can't win, they're firing coaches and Fitzmagic is Fitzgone. A few weeks ago, the Patriots looked old in Detroit; now they've got new bounce in their step. Don't try to figure all of this out. It's this way because the league wants it this way. They've manipulated the rules to favor a wide-open offensive game. I honestly believe it's better to be trailing by one score late in the game than it is to be leading by one score. Why? Because the team that's trailing gets 25 percent more downs. That fourth-down extra play that belongs to the team trailing has become too much for hamstrung defenses to overcome. Coaches are figuring this out and the game will continue to change as strategies are re-shaped. For the loser now will be later to win. It's a new game for fans who want to be new.

Craig from Cedarburg, WI
Which division is the best in football right now?
I thought it was going to be the NFC South, but the Falcons' fall has canceled that thought, for the time being. For now, I'll go with the AFC North. The Ravens are on fire, the Bengals will rebound from their loss to the Steelers, the Steelers are a tough out for anybody, and the Browns will grow with their young talent. I don't see a dog in the AFC North. I could say the same of the NFC North.

Luke from Bath, England
I'm happy the Packers got it done at crunch time, but for most of the game they looked soft. The offensive line couldn't stop the pass rush and the defensive line got beaten up front and gashed by the run. Is there any way to toughen up over the bye week? Or do they just need a change in attitude?
I think the defense will improve as the young talent in its secondary develops. I acknowledge concerns on the offensive line and that's why I believe it's so important for the Packers to run the ball, and I believe greater balance between run and pass is also a function of better defense. As Mike McCarthy gains confidence in his defense's ability to get off the field, he'll commit more play-calling to the running game. In the Packers' case, better defense will fix everything.

Mark from Pilot Mountain, NC
A comment on "ProFootballTalk" stated that without Aaron Rodgers the Packers would be a 4-12 team. What are the teams in the league that wouldn't be 4-12 without their starting quarterback?
I get the point, but I don't believe it's worthy of counterpoint. What I'll say is this: The way the Packers are winning games and what Rodgers is doing isn't unique. It's happening all over the league. Andy Dalton did it in Cincinnati on Sunday, but made the mistake of leaving a minute on the clock for Ben Roethlisberger to take his offense right down the field and score the game-winner with 10 seconds to play. Matt Ryan did it. Drew Brees is doing it. Jared Goff did it against the Vikings, if I remember correctly. Kirk Cousins did it against the Packers. Tom Brady always does it. The teams that aren't doing it are the teams with a problem.

Mark from Wausau, WI
Vic, Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers are both unbelievable quarterbacks. It seems like their supporting casts are comparable. What makes the Patriots more successful as far as getting to and winning Super Bowls?
Nobody gets it done in the postseason like Brady does. That's the difference.

Elizabeth from Sylvania, OH
I know you've said you think college football is a bad product, but how do you feel about the drama surrounding the importance of every single game for any possible national championship contender?
Yeah, the suspense must be unbearable for Alabama fans. Here's the TV overnights for last weekend's games: Georgia-LSU 3.7, Wisconsin-Michigan 3.6, Pitt-Notre Dame 2.1. Those TV ratings are laughable compared to the NFL, as is the Dodgers-Brewers 3.5 from Saturday. The NFL controls the audio, the NFL controls the video. If the NFL played every day of the week, college football and MLB would have to play on PBS.

Eric from Huson, WI
Being this is Brian Gutekunst's first full year as GM, do you think there’s any chance he was disappointed with the win on Monday? I know I was. When Rodgers went down last year, I did not want to see them win another game. This defense needs cheap talent and there’s only one place where that’s found. Much like the cost of investments, a little loss now can pay huge dividends down the road.
Everybody plays to win. On draft day, the losers are glad they lost, but only if they still have a job.

Matthew from Madison, WI
With eight minutes left, the Packers faced fourth-and-three from the four-yard line. My dad texted me, "Four down territory?" I said no. What did you think of the decision to go for it there instead of taking the three points?
It was a no-brainer. At that point, the 49ers had shut it down and were in protect-the-lead mode. If the Packers failed to convert, they'd be right back down there in a couple of minutes. McCarthy had the extra down and it was the difference in the game. Here's one for you: Should Kyle Shanahan have gone for it on fourth-and-one deep in his territory? I think the day is coming when that won't be an outrageous thought.

Mario from Montevideo, Uruguay
Vic, do you think the Packers won or the 49ers lost? At any rate, it's just win, baby, but it was an ugly win.
The Packers won and it wasn't ugly. Forget about style points. That was yesterday's game.

Simon from Santa Clara, CA
Vic, I get the sense you already know what the Packers are, but you're waiting for the schedule to show all us Packers fans what you already know.
I think the Packers have the look of a third-place finisher, but that could change. I look forward to what I don't know.

Eric from Lansing, MI
How did Sherman cause chaos in the 49ers secondary on Monday night?
Late in the game he changed the coverage assignments by assigning himself to Davante Adams. I'm going to assume he did it on his own -- I can't find evidence otherwise -- and I think it caused panic in the secondary. Players play and coaches coach. I think Sherman stepped outside his role.

Pete from Los Angeles, CA
Despite the excitement of the Niners game, I can't help but hope for losses to finish this year as I really don't see the talent needed for the next step, and I want them to reload with what could be a franchise-changing draft. Is my thinking mistaken?
Yes, until draft day.

Pete from Minneapolis, MN
Not to discount your football wisdom or your love for your life’s work or your talents as a writer (all of which keep us reading your column), but did a feeling of responsibility to help Packer nation achieve perspective contribute to your decision to resume your column?
I wanted to say thanks to my loyal readers, who helped me pay the bills, put my children through college and send me into retirement. So, I created this meager, low-cost website with the idea a few hundred readers might enjoy the ramblings of an old man who loves a young man's game. Without any promotion, I hit the publish button a little more than a year ago. Unique visitors are now north of 13,000 and for the third consecutive morning my day has begun at 5 a.m. This is not what I had in mind, but the coffee has never tasted better. Thanks, everybody.

Today's column is a special edition dedicated to last night's game. I'll post another column tomorrow when "Ask Vic" resumes its Monday, Wednesday, Friday publishing routine.

Phil from Madison, WI
Vic, the Packers have focused their draft picks on defensive backs and last night's comeback was fueled by an interception from one of those draft picks, Kevin King. Wins are hard to get in this league, and I would like to enjoy this one and give credit where it belongs instead of looking to distribute blame. Who else do you think deserves some credit for last night's win?
It begins, obviously, with Aaron Rodgers. He tilts the field, especially at crunch time. He's a special player at the most important position in all of sports. Mike McCarthy also deserves a pat on the back. He made all of the right moves at crunch time. His skill for creating matchups forced Richard Sherman into a desperate act that, in my opinion, caused chaos in the 49ers secondary.

Paul from Hartland, WI
Dramatic wins over the Bears and now the 49ers. A tie against a bitter division foe. A couple of losses. I have no idea what the Packers are, yet, but it's been really entertaining.
We'll take a rest and then we'll find out what the Packers are over the next five games. That was a one-win team with a backup quarterback the Packers beat last night. The next opponent is undefeated.

Stern from Cedar Rapids, IA
Just win, baby. Best retired sports journalist on the planet. Thoughts from the game: Crosby isn't broken. Packers defense needs to show up for the entire game instead of the last 10 minutes. Rodgers' injury showed, but legends make legendary plays. This season we've witnessed two legendary comebacks.
We are awash in the healing waters of victory.

Keith from Neenah, WI
Vic, these Packers sure are exciting, but there's something about these games that seems to be missing to me. They play sloppy enough that you don't think they can win and then, like a cheesy movie ending, Rodgers bails them out. How would you describe the way you feel watching them play?
They are outmanned, but they overmatch their opponents at one position. In my opinion, that is the Packers' identity, for now.

Pat from Seneca, SC
Given the Packers' talent limitations, what are some areas at which we might reasonably expect improvement after the bye week?
They must improve their running game. Without greater balance between run and pass, Rodgers will be at an increased risk of injury. Forty-nine pass plays vs. 21 running plays is a nightmarish mix.

Russ from Chicago, IL
What a fun game to watch! High drama, exciting plays, and the Mason Crosby redemption storyline. Did you get the feeling the Packers’ season was on the line?
If they had lost, today's column would be funereal. The Packers saved our season as much as they saved their own. I sense no chortling, only a deep appreciation for a victory that buys time and extends our spirit for at least two more weeks.

Matt from Chicago, IL
It seemed the 49ers were scheming to exploit a lack of speed at linebacker with their stretch running game and Kentrell Brice’s lack of coverage ability. What did your eyes tell you?
Kyle Shanahan stretched the Packers laterally and vertically. He had a great game plan and it produced a lead he made the mistake of trying to protect. All of a sudden, he stopped stretching and he started nibbling. He tried to eliminate risk and that opened the door for defeat. As his you know what tightened, so did the field. Apparently, he didn't learn his lesson in the Super Bowl two years ago. The lesson is this: Today's game will not allow for protecting a lead. You must build on it.

Jim from Huntertown, IN
Vic, nobody puts lipstick on a pig quite like Aaron Rodgers; another gutsy performance from a great player. If you’re the Packers going into the bye, how do you reconcile a performance like the one against San Francisco, and how do you even begin to game plan for the Rams?
I feel no need to analyze last night's win beyond what our eyes tell us. Rodgers saved the season. It's that simple. Our attention should turn fully to what's ahead. The Rams? You begin by finding a way to block Aaron Donald.

Mike from North Hudson, WI
Vic, it's all about perspective and Aaron Rodgers just continues to cement himself in NFL lore. Did we just witness entertainment at best?
We witnessed the league's idea of the perfect game: No victory formations; every play counts.

Art from Edwardsville, IL
Are we watching a Packers team on the verge of breaking out, or is this a bad team?
It's probably somewhere between the two. The next five games will more fully answer your question. In my opinion, for the Packers to have any hope of being a division title contender in December, they must win at least two of the next five games, and one of those wins must be against the Vikings.

Jake from Farmington, MN
Vic, you will never know how much your advice helped me enjoy this game. Man that was fun to watch. I will never forget: no expectations, just watch.
I loved the crowd shots TV showed us last night. I saw fans having fun. That's Packers football at its best.

"Ask Vic" will publish a special edition on Tuesday, Oct. 16.

Isaac from Nashville, TN
Vic, for all the fretting about Rodgers, McCarthy, the roster, etc., I wonder if all Green Bay needs is more power, particularly in the running game. Thinking back across the years since the Super Bowl win, I had the most fun watching in '13 and '14 when Lacy was at his peak. Is the reason this team feels so frustrating is it can't dole out punishment?
The running game fixes everything. It protects your quarterback by quieting the pass rush and decreasing the number of pass rushes. It opens up the passing lanes by bringing an extra defender toward the line of scrimmage. It aids your defense by controlling time of possession. One more thing, the big thing: It makes a team feel good about itself. I love this quote by Jim Brown from Dave Zirin's book Jim Brown Last Man Standing. "Football is not about tricky plays. It's about dominance. Physical and mental dominance. And the best way to dominate is to run the football. If you can run on a team, shove it up and down the field, it means you're kicking (butt) and both of you know (it). Running is power." In watching the Steelers-Bengals game on Sunday, I felt the game turned when James Conner started pounding on the Bengals. The Bengals were in control until then. Yeah, the Packers win or lose with Aaron Rodgers, but Eddie Lacy is the guy they miss. The Packers need to run the ball with power.

Adam from Fond du Lac, WI
Did the heat get the Bears?
Florida is a tough place to play early in the season. I've seen a lot of good teams, Super Bowl teams, wilt in the Jacksonville heat. Here's Khalil Mack's line from yesterday's game: two tackles, one solo, no sacks, no tackles for loss, no passes defensed, no QB hits.

Josh from Tucson, AZ
The Jags were built to run the ball and play high-quality defense. The team can no longer play defense and the run game has been taken out of play before halftime in two consecutive games. The team loved to talk when things were going well, but we are about to find out how strong that locker room really is. How does it get fixed beyond waiting for people to get healthy?
Vic to Jalen Ramsey: Shut up!

Jeff from Asheville, NC
Vic, are we witnessing greatness in the Ravens defense this year? The stats they posted versus the Titans seem anachronistic. They had 11 sacks and Mariota only completed 10 passes. Does this performance put them in the driver’s seat in the AFC North this early in the season?
The Ravens are without a doubt in the driver's seat. They are going to make a big move up my all-important power rankings.

Vincent from Seattle, WA
Vic, I am sure you watched the Steelers' rivalry game against the Bengals. Did you think Brown's winning TD catch should/could have been flagged for being a pick play?
One covering two and nobody in the middle of the field? The Bengals should be flagged for choking away another one to the Steelers. Yeah, it could've been flagged. I saw a pick play earlier in the game that could've been flagged, but wasn't. I think there should be a rule forbidding receivers from crossing paths within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage. While we're on the subject of postgame justice, I think Vontaze Burfict is a bigger issue than Brown's touchdown. If the league is really serious about sending a player-safety message, it should suspend him for the season. He did it again, another shot to Brown's head that forced him out of the game for analysis. I have no doubt Burfict will be fined, but that's not enough. He's a hopeless serial offender and he needs to go.

Benjamin from Jacksonville, FL
Shad Khan, Dave Caldwell and Doug Marrone should all be thoroughly embarrassed by their stubborn refusal to address the quarterback position. Which do you think comes first this season? Do they fire Nathaniel Hackett or finally come to their senses regarding Blake Bortles.
The big fix can't happen until the offseason, but a change now might at least help clear the air. They have to do something. It's reached the point of exasperation.

Steve from Lake Stevens, WA
Did anyone exemplify the adage "a tough game for tough people" more than Jim Taylor? He and Nitschke were my favorites.
I remember a picture from my youth, of Taylor in a three-point stance, his muddy sock drooping down his leg and exposing a thread dangling from a bloody gash. I wanted it to be my leg; the tough guys were my heroes. I loved Bobby Layne's bloody nose. I wanted to "be a Ditka," which was a popular phrase where I lived. Back then, football was about toughness. It was the game's charm. All the stars were tough guys: Bednarik, Unitas, Huff, etc. Lombardi and his teams defined toughness, and Taylor was one of their enduring symbols. I had a wonderful opportunity to sit and talk with Taylor at Super Bowl XLV. He was there to help celebrate what would be a Packers victory, but I sensed he had left his spirit and his joy back in Green Bay in the 1960's. Taylor was born to play football. He was born to be a tough guy. For those kind of men, life after football is a little empty, but what he gave us is a joy that'll last a lifetime. I love the old guys. I love the tough guys.

Adam from Chicago, IL
Would GM Vic ever take a punter in the fifth round?
In the '70's, yes. These days, no, not even if he's Ray Guy. A good punter is only valuable if you can play field-position football. Field-position football isn't a realistic strategy in today's game.

Tom from Vista, CA
Vic, did you cover high school or college football as a young reporter?
I covered high school football to my dying days in the newspaper business. I always went out on a Friday night to cover a high school game. It was my roots. I loved meeting with the high school coaches I grew up covering. I loved the wooden press boxes that were steamy in September and icy in November. I loved my system for keeping my own stats; I could still do it today. Covering high school football kept it real for me: racing back to the newspaper and batting out a story as the phones rang with scores from other games. It was a wonderful time to be a newspaper reporter in Western Pa. A lot of those daily newspapers are gone now. A lot of young reporters aren't growing up in those wooden press boxes. I'm thankful I did.

David from Newcastle, UK
Aaron Rodgers will keep doing Aaron Rodgers things. That includes another MVP. Mark it down. Until that happens, let your doom and gloom masked as realism keep you warm.
OK.

Todd from Brookfield, WI
Can you believe Game 1 of the NLCS ... was on cable? The NFL is taking care of the future by keeping most games accessible to a future fan base.
The NFL is on every channel. It can't be avoided if you turn on your TV. In contrast, I had to hunt to find the baseball playoffs on my TV. The NHL playoffs had better exposure than the MLB playoffs. Baseball is a regional game. It rides the wave of winning in its playoff markets. Everywhere else, baseball is dead.

Jason from Menomonee Falls, WI
It seems there are fewer and fewer reporters that understand how to ask a question. When combined with the disdain many athletes and coaches seem to have for the media, this makes for painful postgame interviews. You seem to cherish and reference those very moments that lack nuance nowadays. Can you offer some insight into how you you approached your questions in those situations?
It's comical how we've villainized the media and use it to assign blame we're afraid to express. I heard a college football broadcaster attempt to express a negative opinion about one of the teams in the game he was watching. He didn't say, "They stink." He said, "They're much maligned." I laughed. The inference, of course, is the media is maligning them, not the broadcaster. How about "there are rumblings"? Those rumblings, of course, are coming from the media. One of my new favorites is, "There will be noise in the system," which is a coach's way of steeling his players and the team's fans against certain criticism from the media, which the coach expects and probably deserves. Against all of that preconceived disdain for the media, a reporter needs to build relationships with his subjects to do his job. My way was to ask questions in a respectful and sensitive manner. Leave the sound-bite questions to the TV people. Theirs is a hit-and-run game. I wanted the coaches and players I covered to believe I wanted something more than a sound-bite reply. The coaches and players with whom I connected are the ones who wanted to communicate with the fans and respected the manner with which I offered them that opportunity. I'm thankful for them.

John from Jefferson, WI
I've been invested in the Chiefs by birth. What would your take on their uniforms be, Vic?
I don't like their uniforms and here's why: They're red. I don't like the color red. It's hard on my eyes. I'm OK with red as an accent color, but not as the main color.

Jake from Farmington, MN
Vic, I find your brutal honesty on the Packers refreshing but also very saddening. I have found myself annoyed at being sucked into all the hype for this team. I let my expectations for the season run wild but reading your recent answers on the team make me think I need to stop watching this season because watching games like the Lions game makes me too emotional. Is there any hope for this year?
Blame it on the media? Why do you need expectations? Here's my advice: Don't expect victory, don't expect defeat. Just watch the game. A loss takes you one game closer to winning; a win takes you one game closer to losing.

David from Moore, ID
In my opinion, fan expectation is the primary difference between the 2006 Packers and the 2018 Packers.
"Surprise, we're good" is a lot better than "Surprise, we stink."

Justin from Delray Beach, FL
How do you think Giants fans view McAdoo’s benching of Eli now?
The bearer of bide tidings? Don't shoot the messenger? Bill Belichick did the same thing in Cleveland with Bernie Kosar. People don't like the truth. They want the illusion. The first to speak a harsh truth is often punished.

Cassidy from Vista, CA
What one word would you use to define the various football eras you’ve covered?
The '70's: violent. '80's: NFC. '90's: Transitional. '00's: Brady. '10's: Soft.

Bret from Hertel, WI
Vic, I agree with your assessment of the Packers. If you were GM, would you trade players of value for picks such as a player like Ha Ha who likely will not be on your roster next year. To win in the draft, you want to be in the first round.
You couldn't get a one for Ha Ha. Packers fans need to stop assigning wild trade values to Packers players, as they did to Brett Hundley following his rookie preseason. The Seahawks couldn't get a three for Shaun Alexander when he was the best back in the game. The compensatory pick system is a wonderful means for discouraging talent dumping. The salary cap CBA authors did a sensational job of creating a system that would promote competitiveness and preserve the integrity of the game. In contrast, talent dumping is baseball at its worst. It's a white flag of surrender for the have nots and it disrupts the natural order. Ha Ha has incentive to play his best, and the Packers will benefit now and in compensatory pick consideration. I like that system.

John from Duluth, MN
Besides a prolonged period of losing, what can restore one's joy in winning?
Perspective. It allows us to watch and enjoy the story that is unfolding in front of us. None of us know what that story is, and I don't want to know what it is. I like the suspense. It's the unknown that allows us to appreciate victory and defeat.

"Ask Vic" will publish on Monday, Wednesday and Friday during the football season.

Randy from Medicine Hat, AB
If Dick Butkus was playing in today's NFL, what would he get in terms of fines, penalties or suspensions?
In today's game, Butkus would be a two-down player, at best. He'd be a player of insignificance other than for the penalties he accumulated. He'd have to change the way he played.

Lori from Brookfield, WI
Vic, as the wolves begin to howl, is Brian Gutekunst under the gun or does he receive a one-year honeymoon period?
One year? Gutekunst has a roster to rebuild. He was handed a roster in need of pass rushers and pass defenders. That's a bad combination. He was handed a roster in need of a makeover at the receiver positions. He was handed a roster that lacked a feature back and needs to address concerns on the offensive line. These aren't issues that can be resolved in one year.

Cassidy from Vista, CA
What's your opinion of Saquon Barkley, Vic? Is there any weakness to his game?
He's the foundation on which the Giants will attempt to rebuild. You'd rather that player be a quarterback, so I suspect the Giants will pick a quarterback next spring. When that happens, they will have hit the reset button. Until then, they're just spinning their wheels. Barkley was a difficult player to analyze, I thought. His talents were somewhat hidden in that read-option running game Penn State uses. That kind of attack allows defenses to eliminate a great back, which is what happened last year. Opposing defenses decided they wanted the ball in Trace McSorley's hands, not Barkley's, and Barkley appeared to be surrounded by defenders every time he touched the ball. On those occasions when he got room to run, you could see the greatness. He has big-back power and scatback speed. He also has the ability to dip and dart, as Le'Veon Bell does. Barkley's the real deal. For the Giants' sake, I hope he doesn't get old before the Giants get good.

Dan from Grand Rapids, MI
The Browns are 2-2-1 and their fans are excited for the future. The Packers are 2-2-1 and we seem to be extremely disappointed as fans. Have expectations stolen our enjoyment of football?
Yes. Why do it to yourself? I tried during the offseason to temper those expectations, but every attempt was met with resistance. I'd get emails from Packers fans saying, "You're wrong, Vic. If Pettine can fix that defense and if Rodgers can stay healthy, I think we can win it all." I didn't see it that way. I saw a team in change. It had a new GM, a roster in need of repair and a new internal structure that would be at the test. Frankly, 2-2-1 isn't so bad. It could easily be 1-4.

John from Las Vegas, NV
I’ve watched Kallil Mack destroy opponents. I see T.J. Watt tied with his all-world brother for sacks leader. I watched Marcus Davenport on MNF look pretty darn good. It is reasonable to argue the Packers could have had any/all of them. Are they really blowing it in personnel?
Watt and Davenport are the issue. They were legitimate candidates for the Packers to pick. As I've written, it's rush or cover, and the Packers picked cover. I would pick rush because I don't think the rules allow for a defensive back to fully express his coverage ability. You can play zone effectively on the back end, if you can rush the quarterback. If you can't rush the quarterback, I don't think it matters what you play on the back end.

Craig from Cedarburg, WI
Are the Packers' problems fixable? Do they have enough talent on the team to be a playoff contender?
We're going to know the answer to that question by Thanksgiving weekend. At Rams, at Patriots, at Seahawks and at Vikings will tell us everything we need to know about the state of the Green Bay Packers.

Aaron from Wisconsin Rapids, WI
Are we seeing a Packers offense that has become a product of too many drafts top heavy on the defensive side of the ball?
I think we're seeing a Packers offense that has been able to rely heavily enough on Aaron Rodgers to focus on the troubled defensive side of the ball. Maybe those days are over. Maybe it's time to give Rodgers the playmakers he says he needs.

Stephen from Jacksonville, FL
With Shad Khan moving closer to purchasing Wembley Stadium in London, there have been multiple reports trickling out about his possible plans. The latest indicates he would want to keep the team in Jacksonville but would fly them to London on Thursdays to play “home” games overseas and then return them to Jacksonville to practice during the week. Do you think our city would tolerate simply being the practice facility of the Jacksonville Jaguars? Would the league support this kind of setup?
Jacksonville's football fans wouldn't support that kind of arrangement, nor do I think they would support a four-and-four arrangement, either. The Jaguars belong to Jacksonville. They were uniquely awarded to the City of Jacksonville by the NFL. I would consider any attempt to move that team an act of betrayal. My immediate concern is for the impact these reports are having on Jaguars fans right now. Times are good in Jacksonville. I don't want to see empty seats and apathy result from these reports. I don't want to see a good season ruined by rumors.

Tom from Bismarck, ND
Vic, I think it's safe to say you're more into the telling mood than the listening mood nowadays. Good for you. You no longer work for a team. You can tell it like it really is. We get your situation now, as sort of a freelancer. Predictably, you're tired of Green Bay and its fans. You seem to have a soft spot for fellow Pittsburgher, Coach McCarthy. We get that, too. Also, an admiration for Tom Coughlin. We get that, as well. I have always liked his style. At the end of the day, though, you love everything Pittsburgh and western Pa. You're a great writer and story teller of that period in your life. I think you should only take questions hereafter from fans of Jax and Pittsburgh. I'll still read your piece.
OK.

Jeff from Alexandria, VA
You're right, your inbox is very whiny and annoying. I have tried to explain to my friends the Packers lack speed, athleticism and young talent on the rise but none of them want to hear that is the source of their recent struggles. Everyone wants to blame coaches and plays and everything else. I want to tell Aaron Rodgers to shut his mouth and throw the football better. I feel like I have more perspective than those around me, but I haven't fully achieved perspective. How can I take that next step?
Be patient. The next month or so will allow you to fully achieve perspective.

Brett from Lakewood, CO
The Saints suffered through three straight 7-9 seasons with Drew Brees in his prime. Now they are Super Bowl contenders (once again) while Brees is still playing like he's in his prime in his late thirties. Sean Payton remained the coach the whole time (other than the season during which he served his suspension). I'm not saying the Packers will follow suit, but there sure are a lot of similarities.
Moving up in the draft order allowed the Saints to rebuild their roster. They enjoyed a blockbuster draft in 2017. That's what it takes.

Joe from Clifton Park, NY
Imagine if Jacksonville had signed Cousins and had him playing the way he is now in Minnesota? That would be a formidable team.
I was surprised the Jaguars stood pat at quarterback.

Kevin from New Orleans, LA
If we get your list of the five worst uniforms, what's your top five look like?
1. Steelers -- I lovvvvve the Steelers. 2. Giants -- The best blue and red I've ever seen. 3. Cowboys -- The star is special. 4. Packers -- Lombardi lives. 5. Jets -- Enduring symbol of the AFL.

Jason from Austin, TX
I would be so curious what a word count would look like on the questions you receive in your inbox on a weekly basis. Have you ever done something like that since you started "Ask Vic?"
It's not a secret. As I write this there are 651 unread questions in my inbox.

Julian from Menasha, WI
"The answer is he'll be the team's coach next season." You gave this as part of your answer to Ed from South Beloit. I can't help but wonder, is that you indicating the Packers will turn it around yet this season?
No.

Joseph from Dillon, MT
Vic, I think Mike McCarthy is the coach the Packers need, so this question is not about wanting him gone. I am wondering how you, if you were management, would deal with the howling wolves.
Ignore them. Let them howl.

Jake from Florence, AL
My question stems back to Rodgers' critique of McCarthy and how it has caused this surge in howling. In your opinion, did Rodgers purposefully critique McCarthy during the press conference to put pressure on him by starting the howls?
That's not it. I think Rodgers' remark was the result of frustration. I think there's a lesson in this: Sticks and stones will break your bones and words can really hurt you.

Vincent from Seattle, WA
Vic, I read a UFO type of debris washed up on a South Carolina beach over the weekend? What's the local inside information?
I think it looks like one of those old Mercury capsules. Did we lose one?

Bill from Troy, WI
Aaron Rodgers is past his prime. Am I the only Packers fan who will speak this truth? That's not to say he's finished, but he is on the downhill side of his playing days.
Blasphemy! You must be banished from the kingdom. Guards, arrest this man!

David from Janesville, WI
Vic, I hope we didn't get tired of winning.
Time is a great attitude adjuster.