Kevin Seifert

  (1:01 PM)

Welcome back. Sorry about the last-minute change. We're all a little groggy after last night's affair. Bear with me and let's talk the NFC North....

Mitchell (fargo)

What is the NFL record over an entire season for QB's being hurt and not able to move, missing 1 play, and then coming back into the game? Gus has got to be close to setting it.

Kevin Seifert

  (1:03 PM)

Ha. That's a nice way to put it. How many times have you been convinced that Tarvaris Jackson would once again be taking over at quarterback? If Gus keeps playing this way, one of these times he won't get back in. He needs to get rid of the ball.

Doug Pretty (Waterloo, IA)

With the Packers loss and the upcoming Bears/Vikings game this weekend, the division race is getting interesting. Are you still tentatively leaning toward GB coming out with the title, or are you witholding judgment for the time being (which is no fun!)?

Kevin Seifert

  (1:05 PM)

Well, I think I've learned my lesson about trying to predict this division -- starting with the first week of the season. I think I was the guy who said the Lions would end up with a better record than the Bears. Yikes. Maybe I shouldn't have reminded everyone about that. Anyway, what you can definitely say now is the Packers will need some help to win the division. Other than that, anyone who tells you they know what's going to happen is guessing. No fun, but it's honest.

Adam of Indy

If the Bears win this upcoming week they will clearly have the best divisional record. How much weight do you put on the the upcoming game between the Bears and Vikings?

Kevin Seifert

  (1:06 PM)

It's the biggest game of the year so far in the NFC North, and the only one that could potentially be bigger is Packers-Bears at Soldier Field in a few weeks.

alex, lake minnetonka

any chance the NFL might wait to suspend players till next year (the williams bros)?

Kevin Seifert

  (1:08 PM)

I would tend to doubt it. I can't say for sure when they'll make this decision, but the situation has been so public that the NFL would be heavily criticized for not acting in some way this year.

Kimberly(Sheboygan,Wi)

Kevin, did you see any postives to come out of this game for the packers?

Kevin Seifert

  (1:09 PM)

Kimberly, I can always count on you for a positive question. One of the few positives I can think of is that Ryan Grant had a pretty good first half before the lead got to big and they had to move into an all-pass mode.

Chris - Wausau, Wis

I know you work for ESPN, but wasn't the Favre-love a little sickening last nite?

Kevin Seifert

  (1:12 PM)

I actually didn't hear the broadcast in the press box but a lot of people have written in this morning on this topic. The only thing I can say is that as much as Packers fans have heard about Favre, and probably don't want to hear anymore, it's still a topic of interest for other people watching around the country. Seen from the outside and in a big picture, you have a team that made it to the NFC Championship game, traded away its quarterback and now is 5-6. Is the Favre trade the reason the Packers are 5-6. No. But that whole dynamic is a big part of this season for the Packers, as tiring as it might be to hear.

Nick (Hibbing, MN)

Tell me the Vikings have a better option this offseason at QB than McNabb or dramatically overpaying for Casell!

Kevin Seifert

  (1:13 PM)

Not sure what it would be. Derek Anderson?

Maue New York

T or F? packers problems this year are results of injuries to the D and aging tackles on the O? (not aaron rodgers)

Kevin Seifert

  (1:14 PM)

True on it not being Rodgers' fault. Injuries have played a role, but they still have 9 of their 11 opening day starters on defense. The entire offensive line, not just the tackles, has been an issue as well.

Larry - W. Palm Bch, Fl

I'm a bears fan, but also a UCF alum. Big Daunte fan. Seems like he's moving really well, compared to the last two years.Obviously, he needs time with the players and the offense, but do you think the Lions' like what they see thuis far?

Kevin Seifert

  (1:16 PM)

Apparently they do, but it's so hard to know if that means anything. Will Rod Marinelli be the coach next year? Will Martin Mayhew be the GM? First, we have to know who are in those roles before we know if Culpepper has a chance to be with the team next season.

Maue New York

How much fatter is Orton's wallet going to get in the offseason?

Kevin Seifert

  (1:17 PM)

You would think he would be in line for at least Aaron Rodgers money. But the Bears have their own way of doing things and who knows where it will end up.

Joey (Howard, CO)

Kevin I'm confused sometimes Chicago looks absolutly unbeatable and then other times they look like they couldn't play their way out of a wet paper bag. What's the deal here?

Kevin Seifert

  (1:18 PM)

Consider the level of competition in St. Louis. ... I think that was an important win for the Bears' confidence, but don't be completely fooled. They still need to figure out their defensive scheme.

BJ Carmel, NY

Two questions for ya Kev...How does the Elias Sports Bureau decide what is a short pass versus a run, or whether or not a QB is sacked or attempts to run where it is then negative rushing yards?

Kevin Seifert

  (1:19 PM)

If a quarterback scrambles and gets negative yardage, it's always a sack unless it was clearly a running play all along. A short pass is a short pass if it crossed the line of scrimmage before it is caught. Otherwise, it's a run.

Donovan McNabb (Philadelphia, PA)

What are my chances of playing for an NFC North team next year?

Kevin Seifert

  (1:21 PM)

In the world of quarterback-light teams, there will be people lining up all around the league, not just the NFC North, for Donovan McNabb. Trust me on that.

Chris - Wausau, Wis

WRONG - a shuffle pass, if caught behind the line of scrimmage, is still a pass.

Kevin Seifert

  (1:21 PM)

I stand amended. Better way to put it is a forward pass is a pass.

murph (chicago)

Are the suspesions for Kevin and Pat Williams going to go into effect this week. Will they be staggered, possibly into playoffs/next year?

Kevin Seifert

  (1:23 PM)

The latest information is that a decision isn't expected until next week. That means the Williamses should be able to play Sunday night at Chicago. What a huge break/bummer, depending on what team you root for.

FANS AROUND THE COUNTRY

" The only thing I can say is that as much as Packers fans have heard about Favre, and probably don't want to hear anymore, it's still a topic of interest for other people watching around the country." Um....No. We don't care anymore. We never did. Can we PLEASE STOP the Favre-love-fest and move on. We get it, he's good, he's old, and he's on another team. NEXT TOPIC!

Kevin Seifert

  (1:24 PM)

You have been heard.

Carl Gerbschmidt (Elk Mound, Wisconsin)

Last nights loss was TERRIBLE. . is it safe to assume that the packers are almost out of the play-off picture?

Kevin Seifert

  (1:25 PM)

They'll need help, Carl. They'll need help. Just like you.

Chris - Wausau, Wis

T or F? every team in the league has injuries, not just the packers?

Kevin Seifert

  (1:25 PM)

Ah, yes. That is the way it works.

Alex - VA Beach, VA

What percentage do you give the winner of Sunday nights game to win the NFC N?

Kevin Seifert

  (1:27 PM)

It would be especially big for the Vikings because they would be done with their head-to-head matchups. If the Bears win, they would still have to play the Packers to fend them off. Obviously, either team would have a huge advantage but would still have the other trailing by only one game with four to go.

Luis (SB, CA)

Hi Kevin, your colleague KC Joyner has been saying for a LONG time that Al Harris is overrated. Last night, his assertions were proven. Not to say that Woodson was any better. What went wrong last night with what was believed to be one of the better one-two punch CB's tandem in the league?

Kevin Seifert

  (1:28 PM)

The Saints definitely exposed one weakness: If you can get the ball into the hands of your receivers, you can break some tackles. The ESPN Stats and Info group looked at last night's game and found that 70 percent of the Saints' passing yardage came on yards gained after the catch. That's YAC for you people who like that term.

Zac (MN)

Hey Kevin, what is your take on having AD on the sidelines for 3rd downs and 2 minute drills? If you were a defender or a defensive coach on the opposing team, aren't you secretly smiling that AD isn't in the game during the most important situations?

Kevin Seifert

  (1:30 PM)

I'm OK with it on third downs. He doesn't have to play every play of the game. But I have a problem on 2-minute drills. You have to have him in the game for critical drives.

Chris - Wausau, Wis

When does ESPN post the updated NFL Power Rankings?

Kevin Seifert

  (1:31 PM)

2 p.m. ET ... be there or be square.

jimmy (chi town)

still wrong...shovel pass

Kevin Seifert

  (1:31 PM)

We took that into account. You're right, though.

Matt Forte (Chicago, Illinois)

Will Matt Ryan beat me for Rookie of the Year?

Kevin Seifert

  (1:32 PM)

You're doing great, but quarterbacks always beat running backs. Or so it seems.

Kevin Seifert

  (1:32 PM)

Or, at least, a good quarterback is more valuable than a good running back.

Adam (Burnsville, MN)

Your the new Lions GM (yes, you HAVE to take the job!) and you have the first pick in next years draft. What are you doing with it? Oline? Dline? QB? Trade it away?

Kevin Seifert

  (1:33 PM)

Honestly? Trade. This team needs too much talent at too many positions.

alex, lake minnetonka

what did you major in for college?

Kevin Seifert

  (1:33 PM)

History. you can probably tell it wasn't English.

Rob: Minneapolis

Referring to Nick from Hibbings email: Why wouldn't the Vikes try to land Cassell next year? Would the Vikes not need consecutive 400 yard passing games? Seriously.

Kevin Seifert

  (1:35 PM)

Why didn't they try to get anyone last offseason? Logic doesn't always dictate reality, unfortunately.

Gregg- Boston, MA

Kevin, your closer to it than I am. Maybe you can help me understand what appears to be, in my lifetime, a showing of the most ugly, menacing, disgusting attitudes from Minnesota Viking fans in my old home state this year. Why is this happening? Why has everyone in Minnesota seem to have nothing but bile for our team? I mean, it goes beyond disappointment...these people are furious...at everyone! Help me understand it, please.

Kevin Seifert

  (1:37 PM)

I don't know if it's quite that bad, but there has definitely been a weird undercurrent this season. Fans want the team to do well, but many of them think it needs a new coach to do it. So every time the Vikings win, there is happiness mixed with resignation ... as if every victory is another reason why the coaching staff will be brought back. It's a weird, but probably not menacing, situation.

Luis (SB, CA)

Kevin, what's your opinion on the potential Lions blackout on Turkey Day? I think they're doing the detroit area a favor; Noone wants to go into dinner with a bad taste in their mouth

Kevin Seifert

  (1:39 PM)

Tom Kowalski of Mlive.com is reporting that the game is a sellout and will be seen locally on television. So much for that.

Paul (St Louis Park, Mn)

Kevin- The Saints really poored it on the Packers D last night, and I thought Aaron had no time to pass. Did you see something specific on either side of the ball that the Saints exploited?

Kevin Seifert

  (1:40 PM)

One interesting sidelight: All three of Rodgers' interceptions and both of his sacks came after halftime, when the Packers were forced to abandon the running game. They couldn't protect him once it became clear they were passing.

darrell bevell

are the bears defensive backs as weak as last time we played them? should i give gus the green light to fling it again this week?

Kevin Seifert

  (1:41 PM)

I'd give them heavy doses of Peterson, lest Frerotte give you another four-INT game.

Adam of Indy

Do you ever let your viewers influence your power ranking votes? Especially as far as not ranking NFC North teams too far apart? (excluding Lions)

Kevin Seifert

  (1:41 PM)

No. I pretty much assume one of the team's fan bases, if not all of them, will be upset with me at some point in the season. ... But when you have three teams at 5-5, as we did last week, it's hard to keep them too far apart.

Burwell (Addison, PA)

Whoever takes over the Lions' front office duties has a huge mess on his hands. How many players are actually worth keeping around? Only Smith, Johnson, Sims, and Redding immediately come to mind. I know the recent one season turnarounds of the Dolphins and Falcons give reason for hope, but this looks like a huge long-term project.

Kevin Seifert

  (1:42 PM)

I agree. The biggest problem is that both lines need to be rebuilt. That takes multiple drafts.

Mike (Lincoln NE)

Which team's kicker would you most want attempting a game winning kick?

Kevin Seifert

  (1:43 PM)

In the NFC North? There are some pretty good ones. This would by my priority list: 1. Hanson 2. Longwell 3. Gould 4. Crosby

Adam of Indy

Walter Payton would have disagreed with your ranking of QB to RB.

Kevin Seifert

  (1:44 PM)

You could make an argument that the Bears' offense always had Payton but became Super Bowl-caliber when Jim McMahon stepped up.

Bruce (Royal Oak, MI)

Kevin, I hate to say this, but should the Lions put Calvin Johnson on the trading block anytime soon? We could probably get some high round picks for him, plus it would be an act of mercy for a guy who would be an absolutely superstar anywhere else.

Kevin Seifert

  (1:45 PM)

I agree he's their best asset but he's also a once-in-a-lifetime prospect and a good citizen also. Too valuable to get rid of.

Brock (North Dakota)

whoa, what's this talk about cassell?he's a 1-year wonder that has just benefited from being part of a belichick team. his throws are errant and he's not going to last in an offense that isn't as well-designed as new england's. derek anderson and sage rosenfels are real quarterbacks. your thoughts?

Kevin Seifert

  (1:47 PM)

I would say that Cassell hasn't played enough for anyone to really know if he is a systems guy or a legitimate big-time starter. I'm not sure I'd risk franchise money on him yet.

Mike (Chicago)

I have a bachelor's and master's in history - how do I translate this into sportswriting for a living

Kevin Seifert

  (1:48 PM)

I'm assuming you had to write your tail off to get those degrees. Being a skilled writer is half the battle in this business.

J (St. Paul)

Besides gimmick plays & PR, how do the Vikes get Berrian the ball more?

Kevin Seifert

  (1:49 PM)

They need to trust him to make plays even if the defensive tries to force them to throw to someone else.

JIM, Birmingham

"Walter Payton would have disagreed with your ranking of QB to RB".....This is a fair statement, however, take away Forte from Chicago and what is left? Take away Ryan from Atlanta and what is left? Chicago is in a much better position than ATL without their rookie, while ATL is up a creek, agreed?

Kevin Seifert

  (1:51 PM)

The Bears would have a really hard time without Forte. The Falcons would have no time if Ryan were playing like a typical rookie. That's how I would put it.

Adam of Indy

Jim McMahon's stats were not impressive, I think any average QB could have taken the Bears to the superbowl that year and won it if they had a good game once there. I don't think any other RB could have filled Payton's shoes that season, at least in getting to the superbowl.

Kevin Seifert

  (1:53 PM)

Fair point also. Payton was a dominant force. But over time, quarterbacks are more likely to impact wins and losses than running backs. You can win the Super Bowl without a great running back. But I'm not sure you can win it without at least a really good quarterback.

Jason Hanson (Blackout)

Sorry Kevin, I find it kinda funny that you choose me to kick a game winning field goal when I haven't had that opportunity in a while...

Kevin Seifert

  (1:54 PM)

I'm very confident you could make it.

Nick (Marshfield, WI)

How about Aaron Rodgers' hit on David last night? You can't say he doesn't care.

Kevin Seifert

  (1:55 PM)

You're right. He really unloaded ... with the shoulder that he hurt earlier this year. He said afterwards that he was really upset with the interception, and it showed.

Irony Scale

Where would this rate if Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb ended up in Minneapolis next season?

Kevin Seifert

  (1:55 PM)

Well, he wouldn't have to pay moving expenses for his offensive coordinator.

Matt (Mpls, MN)

Enough with the 85 Bears. That was like... when I was born. Who's gonna win between the 08 Bears and Vikings Sunday?

Kevin Seifert

  (1:56 PM)

Grr.

Wrigley5151 (Rancho Cucamonga, CA)

Kevin, I give you a hard time a lot on here but I was wondering if you would ever consider a fill in Column or two from your readers? As Mike from Chicago stated, he would like to turn his skills into a sports writer. I myself would love to write a blog for ESPN so that I could counter your favoritism towards the Vikings! (Kidding) I studied English myself in College and would love the opportunity.

Kevin Seifert

  (1:58 PM)

I've run some mailbag items and other features that use reader input. But I've struggled with ways to devote a whole post to one reader because of fairness. How do I give each team fair shrift? What are the criteria for picking a post? Do I have to agree with their thinking? It's been tough, but I really want to include as much reader thoughts as possible. If you have ideas for how it could work, Wrigley, send them to the mailbag. OK folks, one more.

Matt (Mpls, MN))

By "Grr" does that mean you're going with Da Bears?

Kevin Seifert

  (1:59 PM)

It means grr, you were born in 1985. OK everyone, thanks. Chat with you next week at the regular time: 3 p.m ET.