Here are my Week 12 power rankings:
1. Eagles – Have they already peaked?
2. Patriots – Peaking.
3. Saints – Getting that team of destiny feeling.
4. Panthers – At Jets before showdown in New Orleans.
5. Steelers – Big Ben getting better.
6. Vikings – Big one in Detroit.
7. Falcons – Hangover gone!
8. Rams – Humbled in Minnesota.
9. Lions – Must win today.
10. Jaguars – No. 1 in rushing, No. 1 in defense.
11. Seahawks – Not much boom in the legion.
12. Cowboys – Could be toast.
13. Chiefs – Is Revis the answer?
14. Titans – Must stay within a game of Jax.
15. Bills – Something has to give in KC.
16. Chargers – They have my attention.
17. Raiders – Start packing.
18. Ravens – Ravens looking like Ravens.
19. Cardinals – Must-win game in Jax.
20. Packers – Could get ugly in Pittsburgh.
21. Redskins – Lack grit.
22. Texans – Savage can play.
23. Jets – They may not win another game.
24. Bears – Playing for next year now.
25. Bucs – Winston is the issue.
26. Dolphins – Not as good as their record.
27. Bengals – Need to clean house.
28. Broncos – Elway is right; they’re soft.
29. Colts – Big decision on Luck coming up.
30. 49ers – Seahawks will be angry.
31. Giants – Does it really matter?
32. Browns – Next loss, at Cincinnati.
Fabian from Munich, Germany
Looking forward to your power rankings today. Which are, by the way, the only ones I read all week because I just have to read one sentence per team and know what is going on in the league.
The bell rings today.
Ben from Texas
Vic, some analysts are saying Rodgers should leave the Packers because Ted hasn’t surrounded him with enough help. Sure, our defense hasn’t been spectacular, but our trio of receivers is arguably the best in football. Plus, our offensive line is not too shabby, either. What’s your take on this?
Aaron Rodgers should and will stay right where he is, and the Packers should address their need for speed and explosiveness at wide receiver.
William from Savannah, GA
Are you gonna see cousin Eddie this year?
It’s all part of the experience, William.
Agustin from Monterrey, Mexico
Vic, who will you be rooting for on Sunday night? Steelers? Anyway, I don’t believe it’s going to be a very exciting game.
I have two Terrible Towels hanging off my TV set and I’ll be wearing my Steelers hardhat with the flashing light on top. I’m even going to fly my Steelers flag outside, which is against POA rules, but I’m the ARB chairman so who’s going to stop me? Here we go, Steelers, here we go.
Neil from Cheddar, UK
Vic, seeing how the Saints have gone from losing to a Super Bowl contender, what changed and how could this be applied to the Packers? Thank you for reading.
The Saints are No. 13 on defense, which is the difference-maker in their revival, but the big difference between the Saints and the Packers is the Saints’ quarterback isn’t injured. Had Aaron Rodgers not broken his collarbone, the Packers would’ve beaten the Saints and they’d be where the Saints are now. At the end of the day, it’s all about the quarterback. You’re not injured until your quarterback is injured. When he’s out, you’re done.
Jesus from El Paso, TX
Are we somebody’s underdog?
It was a feel-good thing when Mike McCarthy said it, but if you wanna know what being an underdog feels like for the Packers, this is the week to feel it. Nobody, not even the Green Bay Packers, is above being an underdog. Maybe we need to be thankful for that awareness this year. We needed it.
Mike from North Hudson, WI
Vic, it’s time to give thanks and I’m very thankful “Ask Vic” is back! What are you most thankful for?
Most thankful? How about the next breath I take? Seriously, this is a good day and a good forum for me to express my appreciation for what football and three wonderful teams and their fans have meant to my life. I fell in love with football the first time I saw it, and I’m still in love with it. I give thanks for those Steelers-Raiders games of the 1970s, the 1996 Jaguars and the 2014 Packers.
Kabir from Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
Should we root for the Vikings or the Lions on Thanksgiving? I have a sweatshirt that says, “My favorite two teams are the Packers and whoever is playing the Vikings.” My gut says to follow my sweatshirt’s advice.
Root for the Vikings because I believe the NFC North ship has sailed for the Packers. It’s wild card or nothing.
John from Union Grove, WI
What’s your favorite Thanksgiving memory?
I don’t have one that jumps out at me. I remember the Oklahoma-Nebraska game of Thanksgiving 1971, and I remember the Packers-Lions game of Thanksgiving 1962. I also remember covering the Steelers in a 45-3 loss in Detroit in 1983. That night, Johnny Carson said, “I’ll tell you how bad my Thanksgiving was. I had the Steelers and 42.” And I remember covering the Packers at Detroit in 2011. It was a big game and I remember saying to myself, “Well, Vic, that’s why you made the move. You wanted to cover big games. Here it is.”
Dave from Madison, WI
Vic, you’re the GM for the Packers and 2018 is the year you’re going all in to build the best supporting cast for Aaron Rodgers. You’re willing to spend big. What areas of the team will you do whatever it takes to improve?
I never do what you’re suggesting. It’s a formula for collapse. If I’m the GM in 2018, quarterback is one of my positions of interest. No more taking a guy off the board because you don’t need a quarterback. If there’s a guy I like and I can get him, I’m drafting him. Why? Because the Packers are nearing the day when they’ll need to replace Rodgers, and if you pass on a guy you like now, there’s no guarantee another one will be available when you need him. The Jaguars passed on Rodgers in 2005 because they didn’t think they needed a quarterback. When it became obvious they needed one, the best ones available to them were Jimmy Clausen and Tim Tebow.
Lori from Brookfield, WI
Vic, for what realities do Packers fans need to steel ourselves in the game against Pittsburgh?
After seeing the Ravens tape, the Steelers’ pass rushers probably got goose bumps. Job one for the Packers this Sunday is to protect the quarterback.
Amis from Norwich, UK
Recently, I’ve heard loads of people say that, at certain positions, there simply aren’t enough NFL-caliber players to go around (especially at QB and OL). Is this true?
The NFL’s biggest problem isn’t anthem protests, declining TV ratings or Donald Trump’s Twitter account, it’s the potential for losing the league’s best quarterbacks all at one time. Brady, Brees, Rodgers, Roethlisberger, Rivers, Eli Manning and maybe even Matt Ryan might all retire within a few years of each other. How is the league going to replace that kind of star power? I don’t think it can.
T.J. from Tampa, FL
The 2014 Packers versus the 2010 Packers. Who wins?
The 2014 Packers.
