What a week it was in the NFC North. Micah Parsons’ grand return to Dallas had no fairy tale ending. Only questions for that Packers defense… and special teams. (Yikes.) The good news? Romeo Doubs, profiled here, took charge.

It wasn’t pretty in Las Vegas. Ben Johnson lost his cool, too. But Caleb Williams’ late drive was enough. Are the skies clearing up for injury-riddled Chicago?

J.J. McCarthy returns to practice soon. However, Minnesota’s issues run deeper than the quarterback position at the moment. Harrison Smith is still going strong, but for how long?

Meanwhile, Detroit rolls along vs. offensively challenged Cleveland.

We get into everything with Hall of Fame scribe Bob McGinn. Time stamps are below.

And thank you for sharing Go Long with a friend.

* Packers-Cowboys: 12:28

* Bears-Raiders: 46:31

* Vikings-Steelers: 1:09:13

* Lions-Browns: 1:29:41

Monday Column, icymi.

Leverage. Leverage. Leverage.

In sum, that is what matters most for the NFL’s players ahead of the next round of CBA negotiations with owners.

And right here at Go Long, former NFL quarterback Matt Schaub announced his candidacy to run as Executive Direction of the NFLPA. In exceptional detail, he lays out his plan for the players. I cannot recommend reading his arguments enough.

Here on the Go Long Pod, we continue the conversation.

Schaub could bring clear, concise, bold direction to a group that sorely needs leadership. Above all, his master plan for leverage is something NFL players have never attempted before: creating their own league.

One thing’s for certain. The NFL itself is piecing together plans as we speak.

You can watch/listen to our chat above or anywhere you pod, including Apple, Spotify and YouTube. Be sure to follow Schaub on X. At the end of our conversation, we also hit on a few current NFL topics. Did Michael Penix Jr. turn the corner? Also, what makes Kyle Shanahan unique? Schaub worked with the 49ers head man back with the Houston Texans.

Thanks, all.

We appreciate you rating, reviewing, sharing the podcast with a friend.

Recent pieces at Go Long, icymi:

* Hope in Gotham? Brian Daboll finds his man at quarterback

* “Where do we get some Guinness?!” The Full NFL Ireland Experience

* License to Kill: Jackson Hawes infusing Buffalo Bills (and the NFL) with a ‘Full Send Mindset’

* TreVeyon Henderson sees the light

* Double Doink, Bears memories, QB confidence, Revis Island, Stafford/Goff: Allen Robinson relives it all

Happy Valley… to Jacksonville… to Chicago… to several other stops at the tail-end, Allen Robinson experienced a little bit of everything as an NFL wide receiver.

Poor QB play.

Super Bowl expectations.

A torn ACL.

1,000-yard seasons.

Contract disputes.

Revis Island.

Stafford ‘n Goff.

There’s a lot to get into and the longtime NFL wide receiver is much obliged. We welcomed Robinson onto our latest Zoom Happy Hour at Go Long this week, and he didn’t disappoint. Thanks to all who joined, and be sure to keep an eye out for future hangouts. Is there an NFL player you’d like to share a virtual beer with? Let me know at golongtd@substack.com.

Video and audio is available above. I’ll also post the transcript separately, too.

Paid subscribers can always join our Happy Hours.