Jags are No. 1; Packers toyed with Panthers

"Ask Vic" will publish on M-W-F through the football season.

Josh from Severna Park, MD
So this is what it has come to, celebrating another pitiful Jags loss with a Jets win, then double celebrating the Jets win because it came against the Rams and may improve the second first-rounder we have. Should I have hope or just the dread that comes with so many previous failures of drafting busts in the top five?
He who stinks last stinks best.

Kevin from DePere, WI
Vic, did the Jets just change the fortunes of the Jaguars for the next decade?
The Steelers won a coin flip for Terry Bradshaw. Ten years later, they had won four Super Bowls.

Anthony from Jamestown, ND
Did the Panthers defense exploit a weakness in the Packers offense that future teams could use against them, or did Green Bay just not play to the level we have become accustomed the last few weeks?
The Packers toyed with the Panthers. Again, we saw the Packers playing to the identity and style that'll win for them in the postseason. They overwhelmed the Panthers with points early. The Panthers were down 14-3 before they had a chance to establish a running game. At 21-3, the Panthers had to abandon their game plan and it was game over. The Packers are a very confident team. They know who and what they are and how they must play to win, and they are very confident in their ability to execute that style of play.

Nicholas from Superior, WI
Usually, when your team scores 24 points and wins the game you get to celebrate. Why did this one feel like such a stinker? What did the Panthers do differently? Did the Packers offensive line quit in the second quarter?
At this point in the season, all teams are tired. I didn't see a lot of desperation on Saturday night and, for the first time this season, I didn't think much of the Panthers' effort. I saw way too much smiling and friendly banter. As for the Packers' offensive line, I am thoroughly impressed with its play. The Packers' offensive line is moving the line of scrimmage, creating running lanes and finishing blocks. The Packers played as you would expect of a team that has bigger fish to fry. They're ready to start the postseason. Maybe that's what you're sensing.

John from Merrimack, NH
More of a comment than a question. I am still not buying the hype on this Packers team. I don’t feel like they’ve put together a full game this season and it appears they don’t adjust as well as most other teams. Their games against teams with losing records seem tight and they’ve not beaten a team with a winning record when they’ve played. It seems like next week against the Titans will be very telling for the Packers going into the playoffs. One team that jumps out as very exciting to watch is the Bills. They really seem to be doing the things I would like to see from the Packers down the stretch. Are there any other teams you feel are really getting hot?
I agree, the Titans game will give us a good feel for where the Packers are as they head into the postseason. I also agree the Bills have the look of a hot team. Their defense is on fire and Allen is making plays. Other than for the Packers and the Bills, I don't see a hot team. That'll likely change in the next couple of weeks.

Jon from Poy Sippi, WI
Vic, can we agree the belt celebration is now bad JuJu?
The Packers looked like teenage girls on Saturday night.

Lupe from Minneapolis, MN
Z. Smith gets a sack. He dives 10 yards into the backfield and swims in the grass while the Panthers hurry to the line. He hurries to the line and is much slower next play. Three plays later the Panthers score and he is hurt.
Coach LaFleur needs to end this silliness.

John from Brookfield, WI
Rodgers seems so upset all the time. If you were his teammate, how would you respond?
I didn't like his body language following the Lazard drop at the sideline. As a teammate, it would bother me. I wouldn't do it to him and I wouldn't want it done to me. The problem is the Packers don't have a Joe Greene or a Reggie White, which is to say a player of esteem equal to Rodgers' who could go to him and request he stop that crap. This falls on the coach and I'm not sure he wants to poke his stick into the lion's cage.

Dave from Madison, WI
We don't hear a lot about the Packers secondary. How do you rate them as a group?
It's gaining momentum. It's the group that can put the Packers defense over the top in the postseason.

Tom from Rochester, NY
I get your take on the Packers situation with Rodgers, but how is it different than the Patriots with Brady/Garoppolo? Isn't a third option Rodgers keeps playing lights out and Love shows enough to demand trade value? Or does the cap make that impossible?
The difference is the Patriots were winning Super Bowls and Garoppolo wasn't a first-round pick.

Justin from Titonka, IA
What are your thoughts on the college athletes bill of rights proposal?
It's good for the players but it's not going to fix college football.

Jason from Austin, TX
How would a GM determine if Love was ready without him playing any NFL games? How would a GM get to the point when they would be confident enough to move forward with him over Rodgers? I know they did it with Rodgers over Favre, but at least Rodgers looked really good in the couple of times he jumped in for Favre.
The decision was made on draft day. At some point in time, ready or not, Love will be "The Man."

Jack from Middleton, WI
Might a playoff surprise be playing with a substantially different defensive strategy than was used during the regular season, and can you name teams that have done this?
I discussed this in a previous column. Google "Stunt 4-3."

Scott from Lincoln City, OR
How does GM Vic evaluate a college QB to see if he is NFL ready?
The first evaluation question that must be answered is: Can he make all of the throws? If the answer is yes, then you move on to mechanics, mobility, grasp of offense, leadership qualities, size, durability, toughness, etc.

Jason from Zumbrota, MN
Vic, in the spirit of Christmas, and since the election is over, would you be willing to turn the comments back on? I miss my brothers' and sisters' insightful, witty and sometimes deep conversations. We were bad and we've paid a steep price. Perhaps we can be on probation now?
OK, we'll try it again.