Man, I thought we had that for a minute! Offensively, the only thing I felt was really an issue was taking a bit to adjust to the blitzing in the first half. Defensively, it felt like the Lions won with play-calling. They kept on catching us in a blitz with their screen plays and we never adjusted. Nothing drastic is needed; just continue to learn and adapt. Does it seem like we’re so close to the mountain top and just need one last surge? I’m optimistic.

Watching Detroit as much as I have now, what impresses me most about the Lions is how efficient they are at running their schemes with minimal hiccups. Detroit didn’t have more than 28 yards on any of their 76 plays but kept moving the ball forward. That’s the sign of a really good football team the Packers must find answers for if they get a third crack at the Lions.

Mark from Westminster, CO

This game stung the most for me because I saw much of the Packers’ philosophy ring hallow. We need to start fast. Defer? We need to get off the field on fourth down. Touchdown? Touchdown? We play today’s game. Last game the Lions scored at half. I wasn’t sure we’d get the ball back 11 minutes in Bears game. Give the ball to the Lions with 4:35 left. Campbell stuck to his philosophy, and they won. The Packers monkeyed with their philosophy and lost. Plays? Players? Or coaches’ decisions?

Matt LaFleur cited the first game against Detroit (when the Packers took the ball and scored on a 30-yard Brandon McManus field goal) as his rationale for deferring. I don’t argue at all with LaFleur’s logic. Possessions were at a premium like the Packers predicted and LaFleur wanted the ball coming out of halftime. It almost worked, too.

Hey guys, I seem to remember that in last year’s Thanksgiving game the Lions had multiple failed fourth-down conversions and last night they went four out of five. That’s pretty much your ballgame.

That’s why it was my “Key to the Game.”

I’ve noticed that Tucker Kraft is turning into some sort of an antihero. I’m wondering if you know when Mitchell & Ness is coming out with a No. 85 home jersey.

Kraft isn’t an antihero. He’s the heartbeat and everything great about football. Kraft’s kip-up after getting laid out by two Detroit defenders was about as badass as it gets, especially after Kerby Joseph predictably tried to drive his helmet into Kraft’s knee. When you get Shawn Michaels retweeting your clip, you know you’re doing something right, and Kraft’s logic was sound – he didn’t want the Lions getting any pleasure out of knocking him to the ground.

Brian from Sugar Land, TX

Fourth down…what do the analytics show? Success comes fairly often. Three teams have a success rate of 80 percent or better. The leaguewide odds are better than even to convert. The gamble appears really in where one attempts a fourth-down play with a reasonable distance to gain.

The only one I disagreed with was Campbell going for it from the Detroit 31 while his team was leading 24-21 in the third quarter. NFL Network’s Kyle Brandt defended Campbell’s aggressiveness in a thoughtful way, but I’d still argue it was a bit too bold in that situation. On the two fourth-down touchdowns, I kept thinking about LaFleur saying how passing plays on goal-to-go are usually there right away or not at all. Goff quickly hit Jahmyr Gibbs and Tim Patrick and that was pretty much the game.

I look on Dan Campbell’s decision to go for it on fourth at the end as the ultimate acknowledgement of Jordan Love and the offensive talent. Even without a timeout, they have a good chance to get three. Wouldn’t you agree?

Frequent readers know I’m always in favor of doing what the opponent wishes you wouldn’t. It was a tie game, too.

Hey Mike/Wes, thanks for all you guys do. That was a tough loss to Detroit, but I think there’s a lot to build on for the stretch run. Specifically, the defense is to be commended for their work against some of the top running attacks the past three weeks, holding each to 3.3 yards/carry or less. In addition to getting healthy in the secondary, what do you think needs to be done to solidify the pass defense?

Getting healthy is paramount. The Packers need Jaire Alexander. Being down two corners and then losing two safeties is also less than ideal. Still, you gotta get off the field and the Packers struggled to do so. As we’ve said time and time again, Goff is phenomenal at taking what you’re giving him, and he made throws when he needed to.

Mike from New Orleans, LA

Maybe this is too much math for the Inbox, but today’s (yesterday’s if this is posted) question has me curious. What is the Packers’ record with and without Alexander? I would hope we lose a hell-of-a-lot-more sans my guy.

The Packers are 8-8 without Alexander the past two years (5-5 last year and 3-3 this season).