I always try to follow the II advice and watch with no expectations, but it is a hard thing to do as a fan. For the Vikings vs. Packers, I think I truly achieved it. It was kind of nice.

I don’t know if I’ve ever experienced anything quite like that. It felt like walking through a puddle to get to your car.

Eric from Wrightstown, WI

Given being locked into the seventh seed, Week 18 results seem, to me, to be the best we could ask for. The Packers come out of Week 18 without further major injury, most starters having a full week of rest, compared to the slugfest the Bears experienced. The Packers get to play the Bears, who they mostly dominated, leading for 111 of 125 minutes played in their two meetings (ATMR, WCBW). The Pack should go into this game healthy and confident. Thoughts?

This is why I wanted the Bears and why I wanted them on Saturday night. Chicago played a physical, down-to-the-wire game while Green Bay’s starters got their first breather since the first week of October. The Bears are on a short week while the Packers were on a quasi-bye. It’s as good a position as Green Bay could have asked for given the circumstances.

Who could tell that the division was in play in Week 16? If Packers won that they would be now the division champs … that talk about parity or inconsistency in NFC North?

I mean, that’s precisely what I was thinking in Week 16.

Dave from Lake Zurich, IL

It appears the NFC North standings ended in reverse order from last season.

Life comes at you fast in this league, but it was somewhat apropos for the NFC North, which was flat out weird this year. All four teams had a winning record while the champion Bears went 2-4 against the division. That’s the first time the NFC North/Central winner has had a losing record within the division since the merger in 1970.

No question, but a prediction. We are blessed with a potent offense where any number of guys can go off, but I have a sneaking suspicion that the Bird will take flight this week. He’s been quiet but is healthy and I think due to remind some people. On defense, I think Jeff Hafley will dial up some pressure to unleash Edgerrin Cooper. His athleticism against Caleb Williams can make the difference.

Jayden Reed is a solid pick. He’s been steady since his return but still looking for that signature game this year. The Packers’ decision to sit Quay Walker and Cooper tells you how important they feel that duo is to this team making a deep postseason run.

I do not care what happens after this next game, it is the Super Bowl for me. With Ben Johnson’s smugness about beating Matt LaFleur twice a year and Bears wearing cheese shredder hats and acting like the past 20 years didn’t happen after beating our backups in the luckiest win of the year, if Green Bay sticks it to the Bears, then this season is a success as far as I’m concerned. GPG!

It’s a fitting rubber match to decide which NFC North team moves on, but the rivalry has little to do with that. I think the Bears are a great matchup for Green Bay. Like the Packers, Chicago hasn’t been perfect this year despite finishing with the No. 2 seed. The Bears have lost three (and nearly four) of their last five to end the season. The question Saturday night is which team gets it right.

David from Janesville, WI

Gents – I don’t see how the defensive performance Sunday can be described as anything less than impressive. Mostly backup players, our offense couldn’t stay on the field, so TOP was in the Vikings’ favor, new faces all around, and the defense kept the points to a reasonable level. I know the Vikings’ offense is no juggernaut, but I was pleasantly surprised.

Inspired is the word that keeps coming to mind when reflecting on that defensive showing in Minnesota. I saw a bunch of hungry guys straining to make an impression.

I had a chance to go to the game Sunday, but I felt like there really wouldn’t be much to watch. That said, I’m really happy with how well Barryn Sorrell performed. That said, what’s the chance of him taking reps in the playoffs?

That was the other part of this Week 18 side quest. Like Micah Parsons tweeted before the game, this was a massive opportunity for Sorrell and Collin Oliver to get out there and make plays. That’s how this whole thing starts for young players and I thought both guys played with their hair on fire. Sorrell was physical, relentless and got good penetration against that Minnesota front.