Packers saved their season

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.