Good set of 'fessions. My 'fession is that the team that has highest vaccination rate, and/or contains the team's exposure or just gets very, very lucky in keeping players off the COVID list has the best chance to win throughout the post-season. Minnepo was down too many defensive players and without Cousins, their hope of winning went after the first punt. Packers can stay favorites, but that all changes if any key players are not available. Just have to remember the difference in perhaps a couple of plays against the Bucs with Bahk not available (due to injury). Injuries aren't that avoidable, but a vaccine is pretty easy remedy to effecting the availability and is better than any insurance policy. Players better decide how much they want to win, and rally the team to make that little investment and go get a title.

No doubt, AJ Dillon ROCKS! I love the power game and I love that Dillon is getting the opportunities to show his stuff. Finally MLF is going to more sets with both Jones and Dillon on the field and not necessarily in the backfield - Jones motioning out - more of this please!

My observations:

way too much empty looks early in this game. empty has its place, as a regular look as you seek to establish offensive rhythm does not seem to be the best use. I would be more in agreement if the early empty looks were coupled with an up-tempo approach, but the huddle up then run the clock down to 1 second with an empty backfield just does not thrill me.

I would like to see Dillon get some more outside zone runs. He has the feet and speed to make those plays work. changing up some tendencies would be a good thing.

The defense looked more like the mid-season defense in this game, I certainly hope it was their scheme-effort and not the barneys lack of enthusiasm that explains the improvement...

I love that their center had the longest completion in the game for them.

EQS really needs some sort of light to come on... his missed block on Adams short reception was clearly a lack of effort. I would rather see Winfree or Taylor getting his snaps on offense as well as ST.

Crosbys kickoffs in the cold were a revelation. i didn't think he had it in him. Congrats to him, my confidence level just went up for our KO coverage team.

I hope that all of the WR screen plays that MLF has called this regular season have been a smoke screen and that those plays will NOT be called in the playoffs!

Savage has clearly regressed this year. I hope that someone (Amos?) takes him aside and gets in his ear about turning it up in the playoffs.

I believe Savage has not been the same since he was obliterated on that onside kick.

Those wide receiver quick out/screens seem to pick up yardage on early downs. This year I would estimate that those plays successfully pick up 5 yards or more about 75% of the time. Sometime a defender makes the play but usually the receiver gets positive yards. I don't know why the Pack would stop running them.

I really like the wayMLF used Jones and Dillon this past weekend. The O-Line did an excellent job blocking on both inside and outside running plays, and Jones definitely seems to be 100% healthy, just in time for the playoffs. I have a strong feeling both Dillon and Jones will be a HUGE part of getting the Packers to the SB, but it's Aaron Jones who I think is really going to show up. I'll never forget how sad, how miserable, Jones looked while sitting on the sidelines after getting hurt in last years NFCCG. Aaron Jones is such a class act and great teammate. I think he'll feel he needs to make up for his NFCCG performance last season, AND I think he will and then some.

In Al's "Three Plays That Make You Go Hmmm" yesterday he showed one where Dillon ran up Jon Runyan's back and carried a few defenders with him for a 1st down. His 7 yard TD run was another example of just how strong this kid is. I never hated the Dillon pick in the first place, and those crickets who were chirping earlier have been pretty quiet. Good play usually does that, and Dillon has been MORE than good this year.

I've read several posts from my friend here regarding MLF's cheerleading on the sideline when the Packers are on Defense. For the life of me I can't understand WHY this is so upsetting to some here at CHTV. The man is 39-9 in the regular season. He bested George Seifert who BTW inherited a SB team built by Bill Walsh. MLF inhearted a team that finished below 500 two years in a row. If that man wants to lead a cheer while on the sidelines WHO CARES!

BTW... LaFleur, nice job with the vest. Zimmer looked like Rudolph and miserable, you looked like a HC on the brink of winning it all. Now go do it!

Shotgun short yardage- Just more mis-direction. The Draw, shuttle pass, even a screen pass, can destroy a defense Line. Student body left or right, only works for so long. Tackling is back. - I’m a big Campbell fan. But Clark is AWESOME! Moore’s debut- It’s been so long. I’m in shock. Gutey just shut a lot of pie holes. MM and them cowboys - Hello- He’s winning. How else can you describe Trick and Treat. A MVP voter blasts Rodgers; and the only thing we talk about is his Toe? Popularity should have nothing to do with that MVP award. This OL has Over -achieved. Who predicted a Patrick cut? Not me. These guys filled in exceptionally.

Not much to be polluted about facing a Vikings team with a career back up coming off no practice. The things I take from that game are the lack of injuries, that we can stop the run, if we focus on it at least, that we should acknowledge a return to serious tackling and we finally seemed to get the usage of Jones and Dillon looking like I think we all anticipated coming into the season.

It is so satisfying to see a Packers team that is physical on both sides of the ball. Finesse is pretty, but physicality is often what matters when everything is on the line. I also think a blend is also much more enjoyable to watch.

"Tackling is back". When the Packer defense was at its best this season (around mid-season), they swarmed the ball carrier and tackled with authority. That energy returned against Minnesota and it looked great. If they play that kind of defense during the playoffs, this is a Super Bowl team. If they revert to the lackadaisical "Cleveland" defense, this could be another short post-season. Let's hope Barry and Company can remember where the switch is.

Al, I always enjoy this particular column and this week every point is particularly relevant. The tackling was noticeably good (even to me, lol) and I want Moore, not less, on special teams! Great win against an inferior opponent, but that is what good teams do. I like that MLF is going back to more "illusion of complexity" play calling heading towards the playoffs.

Dillon the Destroyer -
When I think of the name "Dillon the Destroyer" I think of Conan the Destroyer which was my favorite Conan movie. Dillon is definitely a beast. Both of his TD runs showed that.

Close to the Vest -
I have seen more talk about LaFleur's cloths then any previous coach in GB's history. Its crazy. As for vests, I do like them. Keeps your arms free, makes it easier to do things.
I do like what they are doing around the redzone. They should have had a TD with the throw to Deguara. He was open and simply dropped it. But the way they are calling plays down there, they really seem to have put an emphasis on that area of the field lately.

Shotgun short yardage -
What I would like to see is go into the Pistol for those situations. Its a combo of the 2 but it does make running the ball more effectively especially with a guy like Dillon. I think the shotgun runs with Jones maybe a little more effective because he has the ability to bounce it easier. He is just a quicker RB.

Tackling is back -
We will have to see what the tackling looks like when they have to defend a passing game also. But the actual tackling was much better.

Red-faced -
I talked to my mom when the game started and that was her first comment on the game. How red his face was.

Swervin' Moore -
I got a similar vibe. That being said, I felt that Rodgers was getting it the last few games. That being said, I don't know how they don't go with Moore in the playoffs. They need a guy with experience back there for the playoffs.

How about dem 'boys -
To add more loss to their loss they lost one of their best WR's. That will definitely hurt them in the playoffs.

Same old, same old -
Can take the play calling out of the coach, but can't the coach out of the play calling.

No mo' toe -
Getting a week off should really help it out. But even if it doesn't help that much Rodgers is able to move around well enough.

Very Special -
While Davis maybe on every special teams play, I think he needs to get more involved in the offense as well. He quitely has played well on offense. I don't think he has dropped a pass yet. A couple of games ago he had that great deep play down the middle.

I'll just leave this here...
Anyone that wants to say LaFleur doesn't deserve Coach of the year because he has Rodgers. This stat shows exactly why he deserves to be coach of the year.

Great stuff, Al.

Part of that sack percentage is undoubtedly the MLF vs MM offense. The other part though? It's Rodgers not trying to play hero ball. Perhaps he felt he needed to do so in 2018 with a bad supporting cast, but I think at least half of that equation was 12 undermining the coach on purpose. Tyler Dunne's story back then was pretty damning.

Shotgun short yardage needs to be "shot" into the sun.

Hopefully we get some of the injured guys some snaps this week....

I have to give an apology to Jersey Al, Gute and Yosh Nijman. At the beginning of the season I was convinced that the Packers were holding on to Yosh and that he shouldn’t make the team. He got beat a few times in pre season and I was convinced that they were enamored with his size and potential rather than his actual production. Al was insistent that Yosh would not only make the team but was playing well in the preseason.

Man how wrong was I. Yosh has been invaluable to this team. Great job by Andy Stenavich piecing together a good line week after week without multiple players being down. Gute also deserves major credit for developing depth at this position including bringing in Dennis Kelly. Patience is a virtue. Clearly applies to team building.

Al, great points as usual in your weekly polluted mindset. I realize that Dillon didn't have the most yardage but I think his performance against the Vikings was his best game since joining the Packers. The demonstration of his power and his ability to carry numerous tacklers with him was awesome and I loved watching it especially against the Vikings.

Tackling is back: I have posted for years that if the Packers defense could just improve their tackling they could become a solid defense.
The way they tackled against the Vikings they could be a top 5 defense if it continues. It is a must have for the playoffs.

Zimmer the red-faced loser. I'm not sure if it was the cold weather or embarrassment or both but it's Bye-bye until next season at least.

I posted during the game after his first 2 punt returns that Moore looked liked he knows what he's doing out there. He is the best punt returner we've seen this season for the Packers by far. If possible extend him now for the long term.

Stokes - him and a healthy Alexander are going to be the best CB tandem in the league.

'dem boys: good to see MM still prematurely abandons the run game. I wonder if the Dallas media throws him the same softballs during his pressers that he received from the GB media?

No mo toe: If Rodgers can play this well with an injured toe maybe he should keep it injured. He is in one of those streaks where he is just totally dominating the game.

Your last point from Tyler renter says it all.

Go Pack Go! Thanks, Since '61

Can we leave the McCarthy hatred, jeez. Aaron underminded him.

He won his division, he's hosting a home playoff game, he did it with a quarterback who can't carry Aaron's jock, and an owner who thinks he's the head coach. Also too, he beat Mike Zimmer with a quarterback who never started a game in his career. In Minneapolis.

Mike did great things in GB and he's a fine human. Give it a rest.

With all the distractions and injuries what really more can be asked of this team during the REGULAR season. They have performed admirably with a few cliches. And the cheer leading is great by the head coach, he or it shows it seems to be how much he is into this team and their accomplishments. If everything keeps clicking like it has been this team should move ahead!

Tiny sample size, but Tyler Davis has caught everything thrown to him; he could be a useful player on offense down the stretch.

I'm not taking the hot-and-cold Cowboys (or any other potential opponent) lightly at all--the "hot" version could be challenging for our secondary and could result in a track meet-type of game. And no matter what anyone thinks of Mike McCarthy and his faults, he's still a more accomplished head coach than MLF at this point. Should the two teams meet, I think it would be a fascinating match-up--one where we would ultimately prevail, but possibly a little nerve-racking.

Red noses: Does the NFL allow the coaches to wear ski masks in the bitter cold? I mean, why suffer if you don't have to?

"Close to the Vest - How about LaFleur sporting a vest and not a parka in that weather?"

I bet he's got some serious underlayer action going on there. Like 300-400g wool. He's also moving around. One thing I've learned from deer hunting is there are no clothes that I can stay warm in just sitting there that I can even slowly walk around in for 5 minutes without starting to overheat.

I thought that MLFs vest was both stylish and practical - he could be the cover for Winter GQ.

I'm not sure that Zimmer's red nose was entirely due to the cold. Given the Vikings record over the last 2 years - it may also be due to some other "coping" factor.

I am sensing that the wheels on the Cowboys bandwagon may be wobbling a little bit down the home stretch. If so, I look forward to another Jerry Jones exit interview.