Bill from Brooklyn Park, MN

The Bears are 3-2. If we were 3-3, we'd be a half-game behind them. But we're 3-2-1, which puts us...a quarter-game behind them?

Not quite. Seventeen percentage points. The Bears' winning percentage is .600. The Packers' (and Vikings') is .583.

Mohammed from Teaneck, NJ

What does it mean to mug a blitz (the term was used in an answer today)? Does it mean to disguise a blitz?

It means to move linebackers right up to the line of scrimmage as though they're going to attack, but you don't really know until the snap if they're rushing or dropping.

Al from Green Bay, WI

Mike, please help me with a head-scratcher. On the Niners' kickoff to open the second half (a touchback), there was a flag. The official called holding on the receiving team. The penalty was declined by San Francisco, and Green Bay began the drive at their own 25. Had SF accepted the penalty, wouldn't GB have started at their own 15 instead? I don't get it.

I wondered the same thing, but I believe because the penalty occurred when the free kick was in the air and before anyone possessed it, the Niners' only other choice was to move forward 10 yards and re-kick.

Brian from Schertz, TX

It seems defensive rankings are rather misleading. I think some better measurements of a defense's performance would be a combination (a la a formula like the QB rating) that includes yards per play, yards or plays per drive, points per possession with a variable for field position and turnovers. I will get back with you when I can use that combination to show the Packers are No. 1.

Mike Pettine also suggested last week there should be a more comprehensive measure and ranking system. It seems there's money to be made for some math whiz to figure out a formula.

Derek from Eau Claire, WI

The Bears were essentially a missed field goal away from a tie with the Dolphins. When is the last time three teams in the same division all had a tie? Has it ever happened that all four did?

I didn't have fingertip access to all the past standings when I wrote today's column, but I found that in 1967, the four teams in the NFL Central had a total of seven ties on their records – Green Bay and Chicago one each, Detroit two, Minnesota three.

Tom from San Juan Capistrano, CA

This season has been one crazy upside swing or downward plummet after another. Even though my emotions put me through the wringer there is no doubt it has been hugely entertaining so far. I really am not sure what to expect for the rest of the year given these wild swings. But when I objectively look at this team my biggest worry is depth on the offensive line. I feel like we are an injury or two away from serious protection issues for number 12.

I think your protection worries, regardless of the injuries up front, would be mitigated if the Packers find a way to run the ball more often. If I have depth concerns with this team, it's in the defensive front seven. They've survived the Wilkerson injury OK, but I'm not sure they can navigate another one.

Jake from Kalamazoo, MI

I selfishly think about Rodgers' stats too often, and was a little bummed to learn the Montgomery TD wasn't considered a pass. What would his QB rating have been if it was? I know, I know, I'm spoiled for thinking I can choose how to get touchdowns, I just want Rodgers to get his rightful MVP every year, so I think about his stats as the games are progressing.

Had the 2-yard TD to Montgomery been ruled a pass play with Rodgers' stats adjusted accordingly, his passer rating would have risen from 100.4 to 107.3.

LyRyan from San Francisco, CA

I thought Fackrell's tackle on Beathard's scramble on second down was a huge play for the team. That forced the 49ers to a passing play on third down, which led to Matthews' sack! Which lead to a short field on our scoring drive that tied the game. Underrated play but huge for us!