Jeffrey from Eveleth, MN

Gentlemen, the bye week is over. It's time for the Big Push. (I've always wanted to say that, and the timing is perfect.)

We're back, so we might as well get going…or something.

Markus from Aurora, CO

No team left undefeated. Happy Monday!

It's a tough to be perfect in North America's most imperfect game.

Mutt from Blaine, MN

Good afternoon II. I tried to figure this out without math, but alas, I had to do some addition and subtraction. Looks like 51 currently on the active roster. Seems like recent events point toward Christian Watson and Jacob Monk returning without having to make any other moves. I was thinking when those on PUP/IR returned it would be interesting what corresponding moves would be made. It is interesting how a season can simplify things. I'm excited to see them back sooner rather than later.

The active roster is back to 51 after Brant Banks was cut last week. It's been common practice for Brian Gutekunst and the Packers to keep an extra spot or two available since the expansion of practice squad rules. That way you don't need to cut anybody to make room for a returning Watson, Monk or any other player on a reserve list. It also gives you more flexibility to sign a player to the 53 (e.g. Brant Banks prior to the Dallas game) if injuries mount.

Doug from Odell, IL

With Watson starting to practice, what is the chance of him playing any snaps this year?

Hopefully 100%.

Jeffery from Monticello, WI

Hello II, fingers crossed they're not bringing back these injured players to soon!

That's where the Packers must be cautious and pragmatic about how they approach Watson’s looming return. The goal is to have him on the field in November and December. Any October games would be a bonus, but you gotta keep the main thing the main thing.

Jeff from New Franken, WI

Is offensive line health the only thing holding back the offense and special teams at this point, or is there more that needs to be coached up during the bye week? A lot of the penalties have come when young backups are forced into action and not prepared, but with Elgton Jenkins not playing well, is that affecting others on both sides of him?

I wouldn't say Jenkins isn't playing well. You guys are treating his comments like when Matt LaFleur takes accountability at the podium and use those words against his coaching. Could Jenkins play better? Sure, but he also holds himself to a Pro Bowl standard. My hope is we soon get to see the Packers' preferred starting five on the field. Zach Tom and Aaron Banks returning to practice Monday was an encouraging step towards making that happen.

Jay from Lutz, FL

Which is more impactful, the injury to Devonte Wyatt or to Tom?

That's tough because you're comparing two of possibly the top 10 players on the entire team. But losing Tom in Week 2 against Washington had a precipitous effect on the offense over the last 2½ games. They paid the man for a reason. He's arguably the best at what he does at right tackle and they need him healthy.

Paul from Ledgeview, WI

Wes, if Wyatt can't go, do we have the horses to hold the line and stop the run? We sure could use Kenny Clark.

As I've said before, good run defense is more than just the D-line. It's the front seven working as one to stop the ball carrier. But yes, the Packers have the guys up front to weather Wyatt's absence. Karl Brooks and Colby Wooden can play all three downs and Nazir Stackhouse is ready for more early-down snaps. Sixth-round pick Warren Brinson also could be up for the first time this year. The Packers may need to get creative with how they handle their third-and-long rush packages, though. That's where the defensive ends may need to help contribute inside. But I have confidence in that room overcoming Wyatt's absence if that's how Sunday shakes out.

Tallon from Castle Rock, CO

Ever since the Rodgers trade I've kept tabs on the Jets, and I just don't understand how a team can be that bad. They have a pretty good roster on paper every year but no matter which coach or new quarterback they bring in every year they still stink. Maybe it's the culture? Grateful for an awesome organization and front office in Green Bay. Why do you think the Jets are always bad?

Culture plays a part in it, but it's also execution. The Jets are falling short in areas good teams cannot falter. New York is the first team in 92 years that hasn't produced a takeaway through its first five games, which has the Jets sitting last in turnover differential right now (minus-8).

Johnny from Nasewaupee, WI

Wes and Mike: Kinda fun watching NFL games without a lot of emotional anxiety (except for Vikes and Lions). Lots of variation in officiating from game to game. Does the NFL review games for officiating consistency?

Every game, every week.

Mike from Baraboo, WI

What adjustments realistically can be made over the bye week?

Not many during the bye week, but meetings and practices can be dang productive when teams get a healthier and refreshed football team back on the other side of it. A little rest goes a long way.

James from Appleton, WI

So, was the defense against the Cowboys a hiccup? A kerfuffle? How did things just go blooey? Do you think getting a couple more solid defensive efforts in the books will help to identify what the hell was going on out there?

Hopefully, it was a hiccup. Dak Prescott is playing like a serious MVP contender right now. So yeah, hopefully, the Packers' defensive performance in Dallas was somewhere between a hiccup and a wake-up call.

Dean from Huntsville, AL

Hey Wes and Mike. Thanks for providing insightful and entertaining reads every morning. My son and I are looking forward to coming up for the Week 17 game. But if Baltimore rights the ship and is in playoff contention by then, could the game really be moved to Christmas Day?

It's impossible to say right now, Dean. Fortunes can change quickly in this league and the Ravens are an experienced bunch. It only takes a couple wins to get on a run. The Packers are classic examples of that. I hope you guys have the best time, though.

Venny from Montgomery, AL

Has there ever been a season where ALL teams representing a conference in the playoffs the previous season returned to the playoffs the next season? There is still a lot of season left, but it wouldn't be surprising if the Eagles, Lions, Packers, Commanders, Rams, Bucs, and the Vikings all return for the 2025 playoffs. However, the 49ers and Seahawks will likely be the teams looking to keep the playoff parity alive.

I believe the only time that occurred was in 1984-85 when Miami, Denver, Pittsburgh, Seattle and the LA Raiders all qualified for the AFC playoffs in back-to-back years. You'd think the expansion to a seven-team postseason format, though, would make that nearly impossible in today's NFL.

Ted from Findlay, OH

Perhaps you have answered this before, but how do you guys avoid the familiarity bias that affects so many of the fans? I try to overcome it, but it always seems to creep back in when the team or a player does not meet my lofty expectations.

It is an awesome job, but it is a job. We all have work to do and there's an entire digital and social department that wants me to finish my work as soon as possible so they can get home at a reasonable hour.

Caleb from Knoxville, TN

Which game surprised you the most this weekend? We had a lot of shockers!

It's gotta be Denver scoring 18 unanswered in the fourth quarter to upend the Eagles at the Linc. Prior to J.K. Dobbins' touchdown run, the Broncos had punted on six straight possessions.

John from Stevens Point, WI

Week 5 road wins by the Vikings (playing two weeks in a row in Europe; neutral site but REALLY away), Broncos, Patriots, 49ers, Cowboys (maybe they aren't so bad after all), Texans, Bucs, Lions, and Titans. A convincing home win by the Colts. What is going on? Which of those was the most impressive in your eyes?

As surprised as I was by Denver's comeback, I found Tennessee's win over Arizona most impressive. Cam Ward and Brian Callahan's Titans showed a lot of fortitude. The Titans could've easily packed their bags entering the fourth quarter and nobody would've blamed them with how the season was going.

Lori from Cherry Valley, IL

Now that the Eagles and Buffalo Bills both lost, the undefeated Miami Dolphins can once again breathe a sigh of relief.

Mercury Morris is smiling down.

Mark from Ishpeming, MI

Packers still pushing toward playing their best … How many years have we heard that? One, two, three? When do we get there?

You were an "Are we there yet?" backseat kid, weren't you?

Dennis from Parrish, FL

Guys dropping the ball before crossing the plane of the goal line is absolutely ridiculous and easily fixed. We need to come up with something catchy to name the stunt. How about "Stooging," of course named after the trio of comedy legends!

Or "Letting."

Terry from Junction City, WI

"Oh they'll keep messing with a good thing[.] This league is great at that." For 150-plus years, baseball is largely unchanged; 60'6" mound to the plate; 90' base paths; three strikes/four balls, etc. The rules and basic tenets have largely stayed the same. Perfect. NBA players have outgrown basketball rules (like top-level, slow-pitch softball). The NFL tweaks its rules annually on a never-ending loop. Question: Do you think IF the NFL finally gets it perfect, they will realize it and stop?

They didn't stop at 16 regular-season games, did they? To build off Spoff's salient comment, the league would find imperfection in Michelangelo's "The Creation of Adam" if there's an extra dollar to be gained from it.

Mike from The Woodlands, TX

Wes, a while ago I asked who you followed in F1, and you never answered. I just want to say thanks for sprinkling F1 Easter eggs through your columns that ended up answering my question! Hopefully you and your son get to enjoy race replays together on Packer Sundays!

My apologies. I must have missed it. I'm a Lewis Hamilton fan and Ferrari guy, so this should have been my dream season…and it's been anything but. However, I just enjoy the sport and watching small teams find success. Seeing Niko Hulkenberg, in a Sauber, and Carlos Sainz, in a Williams, on the podium have made this a memorable year.

Jason from Austin, TX

Man, I know our loss to the Browns was frustrating that we let one get away the way we did, but after watching the Cardinals game, it's good to know that it could be a lot, lot, lot worse! I don't know if the Cardinals have something like Insider Inbox, but I imagine it isn't pretty this week.

Darren Urban is smart enough to only have a weekly mailbag.

Jim from Hudsonville, MI

An Inbox lock? PLEASE NO! Inbox is the very first thing I read when I sit down for my daily Packer content. Eventually I'll get to every article on this site, but Inbox must be first! Anything else will throw me into some weird space-time continuum!

You must suffer my prose to suffer through more of my prose.

Dallas from Canada

I just like reading the "Insider Inbox" but don't have a question today.

My favorite kind of reader.

Joe from Swansea, IL

Just the tiniest bit of II math for those who think the Packers will have their way with the Bengals: Cincinnati has two wins, Green Bay has two wins. It will take the best effort by every Packer to get a W and right the ship.

Precisely. The Packers learned in Cleveland that they must bring their best for 60 minutes or suffer the repercussions. The goal is to go 1-0 this week and they must prepare to beat the best version of the Bengals to do it.

Ray from Lynbrook, NY

Hey II, the Packers don't have a great record in the first game after bye under ML (3-3). Can we get over the .500 hump this week?

I think it's important Green Bay does well Sunday. This is a wounded Bengals team this week. The Packers must pounce.

Steve from Flagstaff, AZ

What a week that it just was. Upsets, strange plays, and while I don't recall a blocked kick this week, "Mr. Make it Everything" Brandon Aubrey for the Cowboys doinked one off the crossbar for an EP. What next?

Hopefully, a third Packers win in three games at Lambeau. Have a great Tuesday.

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