Everybody knew the Packers would score

Following the best game of the season, let’s take a whirl around the league.

• The Bills just don’t score enough points to take seriously.
• Cam Newton’s apology and his performance in beating the Lions is a solid response to his haters.
• Ben McAdoo is in deep doo doo.
  
• ​Carson Wentz is a star.
• The Steelers have problems, the greatest of which is they are no longer the Steelers.
• Oakland is not a playoff contender without Derek Carr.
• The Browns are proof a team in need of a quarterback should never pass on one.

​Bob from Oosterhout, The Netherlands
Hi, Vic, is there any time you would let Prescott slide at the 1-yard line to keep the clock running? I know it is dangerous if you are not leading, but Dallas had to account for Rodgers.
As Dak Prescott was crossing the goal line, I looked at the time left on the clock and I whispered, “Game over, Packers win.” The kneel-at-the-1 play is going to become a part of every team’s playbook in this era of high-scoring games. Stopping the elite quarterbacks and offenses is nearly impossible in today’s game. You almost have to play defense with your offense by keeping your opponent’s offense off the field.

Colin from Milwaukee, WI
Rodgers tilts the field. Good to see you again, Vic!
He is the clear early-season leader for MVP. His value to the Packers is every bit the equal of Tom Brady’s to the Patriots. The Packers will go as far as Aaron Rodgers takes them. It’s just that simple. Every Packers fan knows as much.

Stephen from Chicago, IL
Hurt vs. injured. Do players make the distinction today? Do coaches? Do you think the point in the season makes a difference?
Late in the season, when there is no tomorrow, you play hurt. Until then, you rest and rehab so you’ll be ready to be at your best for those late-season games. Hey, yesterday’s victory was uplifting, but it’s the next game between the Packers and Cowboys that will likely determine the Packers’ fate this season.

Bill from Madison, WI
You love semicolons, don't you?
They eliminate a lot of unnecessary words.

Donovan from Baldwin Park, CA
Boy, is Rodgers the best there has ever been? With 1:13 remaining, I wasn't worried in the least.
He’s the best I’ve ever covered, but I think he needs to win at least two more Super Bowls before we can consider him a challenger to Brady and some others.

Jamie from Rhinelander, WI
Not a question but a comment. I kind of agree with you on Romo in the booth, except I think he's actually terrible at it.
He’s not terrible, but he’s not Troy Aikman, either. Aikman turned in yesterday what I believe is the best TV analyst performance I’ve witnessed so far this season. He was really on his game.

Michael from Hamilton, NY
Who's your favorite college prospect at QB right now? Is it the next Mike Vick in Jackson? The next Eli Manning in Rosen? The next Romo in Darnold?
I like Lamar Jackson a lot. He’s got the total game. I see him as the next Cam Newton.

Larry from Goldsboro, NC
Glad you are back writing. I think the protest has moved from the actual problem to protesting the protest of the protest. Everybody is reacting to what they see and hear. That being said, I do not agree with the way/timing of the protest during the anthem and was encouraged by the way it was handled at the game on Thursday night. You knew what they were doing but it was respectful and the fans’ reaction to the flag and anthem were fantastic. Any thoughts on the situation as it has developed over the last year?
I’m not offended by protest. I think it’s healthy because it makes us think. Now we have a new controversy: the vice president leaving the game as a protest to the players. I’m OK with his protest. I’m not OK with what it cost the taxpayers.
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Jamie from Brooklyn, NY
Vic, now that you can do anything you want, what are you reading?
I’m reading “Use of Force,” which my Marine pilot neighbor gave to me. On deck is “Enemy of the State,” also on loan from my neighbor. After that, I think I’ll read something less violent.

Jack from Washington, DC
Welcome back, Vic! What, if anything, can we do as owners of the Packers to improve and encourage the transition to a player-safety culture?
Don’t complain when Blake Martinez is flagged for brushing a receiver’s helmet. It’s what happens when you become overly sensitive to enforcing a rule. I thought the roughing-the-passer penalty against the Cowboys late in the game was also an overreaction.

Tony from Colorado Springs, CO
Did you catch Al Michaels talking about how after 15 years with the Eagles it was time for Andy Reid to leave? I realize they are 4-1 with a likely franchise QB now, but was that a case of them getting sick of winning?
It was a case of getting sick of not winning it all. Reid’s Eagles teams had a reputation for not getting it done in the postseason. Marty Schottenheimer suffered from the same affliction. Will that change for Reid in Kansas City? So far, it hasn’t. Last year’s home playoff loss to the Steelers was a bitter pill to swallow. I think Alex Smith took the blame for it and that’s a big reason the Chiefs drafted Patrick Mahomes in the first round. Now Reid and Smith have the Chiefs on a roll again, and the more they win, the more expectations will increase for the postseason. Yeah, owners and fans can get tired of winning, especially if it’s followed by losing in the postseason.