Ed from River Falls, WI

Good morning II. Just a comment on Wes's response yesterday to Jeremy from Redding, CA. Be careful what you wish for. According to the Statler Brothers the lights were never going to come on at Wrigley Field (they did) and the sun rising in the West would be next.

Duly noted. But I'm less interested in the Statler Bros. than what Statler & Waldorf had to say.

Eric from Chicago, IL

How much weight do you think Sunday's game has on the trade deadline?

Little to none, unless more injuries crop up.

Patrick from Paducah, KY

The Packers' defense has been able to use its schemes and creative blitz packages in order to create QB pressure on a consistent basis so far this season. Are those same opportunities there for the taking against the Patriots' O-line and Drake Maye? How have they handled pressure so far this season?

Maye has been sacked 16 times in eight games, which isn't a huge number but isn't a small one, either. He's adept at getting out of trouble and moving the chains with his legs or doing damage downfield from outside the pocket. Keeping Maye contained is one of the keys to victory in this game.

Bart from Boise, ID

How has Romeo Doubs trade to NE gone this year given that he is now on IR? Any trader or buyer remorse?

The Patriots signed Doubs as a free agent, and after getting blanked in the opener, he had 14 catches for 261 yards and three TDs over his next five games before getting hurt. That 18.6 yards per catch is what the Patriots were looking for from him.

Rod from Ephrata, PA

The first three games Maye threw 6 INTs and lost 2 fumbles. They were minus-5 turnover differential during that span. Neither team is the same as they were at the beginning of the season.

Agreed, and I'm writing about the turnover topic in my One Last Look column for Saturday.

Bruce from Jackson, WI

Morning Mike, do you think this weekend will be offensive show, or defensive showdown? It seems like every time they predict a high-scoring game, it turns into a defensive battle. After reading Wes's story on Jordan's fast start (great read), I have mixed thoughts which I think Jordan would agree with. I would love to see Jordan break all kinds of records, but I think it's more important this team develops the running game before the snow flies and the temperature drops.

I tend to agree. I'm not sure Love setting any franchise passing records will be best for this Packers team overall. Do whatever it takes to win, absolutely, but the best teams can win in multiple ways.

Tyler from Cross Plains, WI

Hey guys, not really a question, more of an observation, but in his first few years I though Jordan Love threw a lot of "touch" or "float" passes off his back foot, maybe too often or not in the right situation (IMOWCBW), but this year I feel he's stepping into, and throwing more "rocket balls," to take a term from Coach Holmgren. Curious if you guys have noticed the same thing?

I'd say his pocket awareness has sharpened with each year of experience, so he knows better now when he has the time and space to step and fire. The floaters have their place, and they're often necessary based on the pass rush and need for a quick release, but it's no longer a default mechanism.

Steve from Ellison Bay, WI

A question about QB1. I think his greatest among his many attributes is he appears to be an exceptional teammate. I don't ever recall seeing him dress down a fellow player, especially when he's borne the brunt of a bad play. Is that fair from your vantage point?

Yes.

Reed from Myrtle Beach, SC

It was cute that Jordan Love and his wife dressed up as blind refs for Halloween. But methinks the real refs might not see the humor in it and it might work against Love going forward. Agree? But at least it's not like they can call fewer roughing the passer penalties involving him.

There is that.

Tim from Olathe, KS

Mike, who is the player leader in the OL room right now?

I can't say for sure, but probably Aaron Banks.

Steve from Ocean City, NJ

Quick follow-up on Spoff's response to a question regarding Aaron Banks. Not only do coaches likely grade individual performances much differently than outlets like PFF, but they also get to evaluate players daily on the practice field and in the meeting rooms. They also see each player's interactions with their teammates both on the field and within the facility. So let's remember there's much more that goes into playing time than we as fans will ever know.

Yup.

Richard from Livermore, CA

I see teams experimenting with various kickoff approaches. Initially, it seemed everyone just kicked it as close to the goal line without going beyond it. Now I am seeing more directional kicking, I assume to keep it away from the better returner. More recently some teams are kicking line drives that bounce before being caught in an attempt to slow down the return but at the risk of it hitting before reaching the 20-yard line. Any thoughts as to what approach will prevail?

If teams can perfect the "dirty kick" where the ball bounces in the landing zone first, that gives the coverage players a head start before the returner fields it. I think that's the ideal approach. But it's also the riskiest, because a mis-hit that lands too early or goes out of bounds puts the ball on the 40.

Mark from Big Bear City, CA

Good morning Mike, just wanted to say I've been very impressed with Chris McClellan. You don't really hear his name a lot but he's been a steady presence on the D-line so far. It seems BG and the scouts did a great job in this year's draft. The future seems bright with this young Packers team.

The Packers knew what they had on the defensive interior with Wyatt and Brooks. But the depth they built at DT with guys like McClellan, Campbell and Riley has been invaluable in the midst of these injuries to Hargrave, Ford and Brinson. Each guy has had his moments.

Caleb from Knoxville, TN

Halfway through the season, who is your biggest unsung hero?

Javon Bullard. He's played nearly three-quarters of the defensive snaps and doesn't have a sack or INT. But he's been involved in two takeaways (pass deflection and forced fumble) and he's right in the middle of everything Gannon is doing. He's fourth on the D in tackles (just five tackles away from second) and he's already set career highs in TFLs (four) and PBUs (seven), the latter ranking second on the team, behind only Brandon Cisse.

Perry from Ishpeming, MI

With Parsons' window open and this week's game out of the question, realistically, what are the chances he plays at home vs. the Vikes on the 15th? Even 10 snaps just to test the waters? If he's been given a full bill of health and is a full go at practice this week and next, how many practices does he need to be game ready? Go Pack Go, and beat the Pats!

I'm not expecting Parsons to play against the Vikings, because he's not taking any 11-on-11 snaps in practice until next week, and I highly doubt one full practice in pads will be enough to get him ready. But time will tell.

Markus from Sea Ranch, CA

Very exciting to be getting Numero Uno back on the field. Some projections show first game back at SoFi Stadium. Do you think the fact this stadium has artificial turf will factor into the decision?

No.

Charles from Fond du Lac, WI

I know the timeframe of writing this limits its chances of being included but I wanted to help some fans understand the benefit of Uno on the field. JG talks stresses and strengths of the defense all the time. About not wanting to put someone in a stress that they can't perform. Micah sets the strength in the offense's eyes by himself. They will tilt the field to him no matter what. That lets JG hide the stress and strength of the play call knowing Uno tips the scale to strength where he lines up.

And my suspicion is Gannon will find ways to capitalize on that.

Kelsey from Pulaski, WI

With how things stand currently, what's the read on the favorite out of the NFC North?

It's hard not to peg the Bears as the favorite now, but I'm not writing off any of the four teams. It's possible come late Monday night, this division could have three clubs with two losses each, plus the 6-3 last-place Packers. Buckle up.

Paul from Ashburn, VA

After watching the highlights of the Seahawks/Bears game, I think that perhaps what was shown was not so much how impressive the Bears are supposedly becoming, but how the Seahawks have fallen from their Super Bowl victory. Much of this is due, as with most of the teams, to the injury bug.

Also true. Seattle was one of the healthiest teams in the league last season, took advantage and maximized on it.

Troy from Westminster, CO

As a 57-year-old Packers fan, I've enjoyed watching the Pack dominate the Bears for almost half of them. However, anyone who doesn't understand why Caleb Williams is being mentioned in MVP talk right now doesn't understand football. He's completing 71% of his passes while extending plays time after time, with the Bears sitting at 6-2. Love has been really, really good this year. What Williams is doing in Chicago, against my rooting interest, has been equally as good as any QB not named Allen.

For the first time in my lifetime, the Bears hit on the right coach-QB combo with Johnson and Williams. Even their championship duo of Ditka and McMahon was not exactly a good match. It sorta worked in spite of itself, thanks to an all-world defense. They've actually found it now, with a defense that can hold up its end.

Dave from Gwinn, MI

Regarding Caleb Williams and having a unique offense, I feel like if they subscribe to the John Harbaugh/Baltimore Ravens offense, they've got something. Harbaugh completely revamped their offense within a year and a half and built it entirely around Lamar Jackson, a consistent(ly amazing) offensive line and great LBs. I'm not saying Caleb is this generation's Vick, Cunningham or Lamar. But he's cut from a similar mold and prefers to pass first. Maybe that's the key.

The most dangerous mobile QBs are the ones looking to throw first. They also last longer.

Richard from Madison, WI

Well, some weeks ago, one of you predicted that we might not make it even as far as Halloween before the 1972 Dolphins got to raise their annual toast to the NFL's only undefeated season, and of course it had to be the Vikings that made you miss by a day. Hey, do you join me in hoping that, if it's not the Packers in the Super Bowl, it'll be Vikings vs. Bills? (At this point, they and the 49ers are the only 1-loss teams in the league.)

The Vikings? Hoping for the Vikings? On what planet would any Packers fan do such a thing? If the Packers aren't in the hunt, I will root for the Bills to win a Super Bowl, absolutely. But not a division rival. No way, no how.

Gary from Janesville, WI

Spoff, any final thoughts on the Brewers? I am 61 years old and the happiness level is very, very high.

A year I'll never forget, and I keep rewatching highlights here and there just to sear more memories into my brain. Such a fun bunch to watch play my favorite game. Pat Murphy reinforced the club's identity with every interview he gave. He constantly repeated words like undaunted, relentless and gamers. That's who they became. I'm forever grateful a lifelong dream as a fan was realized, because like anyone the doubts had crept in over decades of hope and wonder. Now my doubt is we'll ever see a better Brewers team. Maybe another will win a championship, that would be great, but 103 wins and an 11-2 playoff run against the next three best teams in baseball? Mercy.

Matthew from Madison, WI

Don't sell yourself short, Mike. You're not only human, you're incredibly human.

Not sure what that means, but thanks, I guess. Happy Friday.