Inbox: He is that go-to guy in must-have situations

Perry from Beloit, WI

I think the NFL needs to go to the college route and play as many OTs as needed to get a clear winner. This playing a whole game thing and ending in a tie needs to stop. I know it doesn't happen often, but still. What are your thoughts?

My thoughts were I wanted to go home, Perry.

Tom from Southfield, MI

II, do we really have to remind Ben from Oakdale that "this team" is not the team it will be in November, December, January? Honestly.

I guess so.

Al from Green Bay, WI

Wes, I hope you've had a chance to catch up on some sleep. With a few extra hours to contemplate the results from the Sunday night game, how are you feeling about the state of the Packers team?

Good. No different than the offense in Cleveland, it's probably not a bad thing for the defense to be reminded of its mortality this early in the season against a dangerous Dallas offense. The NFL is a mistake-laden sport. You're never gonna play an entirely clean game, but hopefully the Packers can find solutions to the recurring issues that have plagued them at times so far. Brandon McManus talked after the game about having to wait to find out whether the tie helps Green Bay or hurts them. The only way to make it so is to keep stacking wins on the other side of this bye.

Derek from Eau Claire, WI

Well, at the 4/17 poll we have seen a lot of good, a lot of bad, and a smattering of ugly. Looks to me like a young group of men trying to find their way. Stay the course and hope that half win looks kindly on us when it comes time to seed playoff teams.

We've seen every side of Green Bay during the first month of the 2025 campaign. The good news is the Packers have a lot of young talent and the upside to make the corrections they need to make. But they gotta learn from their mistakes and fast. This team could easily have bagged four wins if not for miscues at inopportune times. As we forecasted, Green Bay needs as many Ws as possible in what's looking like a fierce NFC North once again.

Sarah from Bountiful, UT

Your thoughts on an early bye week being a blessing to help our guys get healthier before the long stretch of games?

While you'd rather have a midseason bye, these are the cards the Packers were dealt. In many ways, I'm reminded of 2013 when the Packers were saddled with a vaunted Week 4 bye. It looked like misfortune at the time, but then a litany of injuries sprouted. Brandon Meriweather gave Eddie Lacy a concussion in Week 2 against Washington, Casey Hayward was dealing with a recurring hamstring issue that never healed, Morgan Burnett was hurt, and Clay Matthews strained his hamstring against Cincinnati. Next thing you know it appeared like the early bye came at a good time. It won't be easy to go 13 straight to finish out the regular season, but all Green Bay can do right now is rest, recover and come out swinging against the Bengals in Week 6.

Dave from Murfreesboro, TN

What happened to the defense against Dallas, they just fell apart.

Timing is everything and Dak Prescott got into a rhythm after those first three drives. That's not a surprise. The guy entered the game completing 70% of his passes. When Prescott had time, he created some explosive plays. When Prescott didn't have time, he seemed to get the ball out just a tick before the pass rush got home. Matt LaFleur didn't address the media yet, but I'll be curious what he and Jeff Hafley made of the game film. Generally speaking, it seemed to me Prescott was always one step ahead.

JR from East Moline, IL

Something about the ease and surehandedness with which Matthew Golden snagged that punt off the bounce along with how seemingly unphased physically and emotionally he was by that big shot he took made him stand out to me. Then add the clutch fourth-down catch.

That wasn't the cleanest punt and thankfully Golden was OK, but my macro-level reaction was this guy's hands and constitution are real. Better yet, he makes big plays look almost effortless.

Caleb from Knoxville, TN

Can you imagine if we'd actually traded Romeo Doubs this past offseason?

You're starting to see why LaFleur scoffed at that narrative, no? Whatever the outside perception was, the Packers know Doubs' value to this offense. He is that go-to guy in must-have situations. I'm not sure how many of you caught David Bakhtiari's tweet on Monday, but the former Packers left tackle praised Doubs not only for his professionalism on the field but also his character off it. Doubs is as quiet and steady as a stream trickling through a forest.

John from Jupiter, FL

Morning Wes. Do you think there was any thought given to try a last shot for the win with the one second remaining? Thanks.

No, the Packers already had their chance. Cut your losses and take the tie.

John from Portland, OR

A lot of criticism about the final series, but I get why we didn't want to give the ball back to Dallas. More puzzling is the aggressive approach at the end of the first half. Initially it was worth a try, but after the penalty it was first-and-15 from the 27 with 21 seconds and no timeouts, and at that point being aggressive had far more downside than upside. That unwillingness to accept the circumstances cost us seven points. Thanks for all you guys do.

LaFleur said it right after the game – the Packers tried to get aggressive there and it bit them. Green Bay didn't want Dallas to have the double-up, but obviously it's risky to try moving the ball with only 21 seconds left and no timeouts.

Steve from Flagstaff, AZ

Is anyone else happy to see what Christian Watson will bring to this offense hopefully Sunday, Oct. 12, which coincidentally happens to be my 52nd. Wow, how and when did that happen so quickly? I guess as quickly as it happens to be on a first touch which did not happen on his first play against Minny. That would be a spectacular day and a win of course too!

Wishing you the happiest of birthdays, but Watson needs to practice first before any of these questions become relevant. Once that box is checked, we can discuss how he fits into the 2025 offense.

Ray from Phoenix, AZ

MarShawn Lloyd is eligible to play and should be healthy. His speed would add a dimension to our running game. Emanuel Wilson has played lights out though. Who will running back No. 2 be against Cincy?

Like Watson's situation, we'll see where things are with Lloyd coming out of the bye. But Wilson has earned the right to touch the football and not only based on his strong start to the current season. It's really a continuation of everything Wilson has done for the past two years. He's now carried the ball 132 times in regular-season action for 660 yards (5.0 yards per carry) and four touchdowns. Wilson comes to balance quick and packs serious punch.

Terry from El Paso, TX

With the bye week this weekend, I was thinking do teams have to give all players time off during the bye week? Is there something in the CBA that says this is the norm? I heard always they are rehabbing, and injured players stay in town in the most part.

It's a bit more technical, but basically players must be off Thursday through Sunday. Like you said, most injured players do stick around to continue their rehab.

Gary from Middleton, WI

Good morning gents! I'm not understanding the philosophy pertaining to kickoffs with the new rules that are in place. Knowing our special-teams unit is not so special, with 1 minute, 49 seconds left in regulation why not kick into the end zone for a touchback forcing Dallas to start at their 20? Their return men seemed to be gashing our ST most of the game. What am I not understanding?

The ball is now placed at the 35 for touchbacks unless it hits in the landing zone first. If that occurs and the receiving team accepts a touchback, the ball goes to the 20.

Jay from Lutz, FL

Guys, the two players we paid this year with large contracts, one at RT, and one at LG, are both injured. Do you agree this is the main issue?

It's on the next man up to hold the fort, but certainly things have been different on the offense since Zach Tom injured his oblique against Washington. The Packers paid Tom for a reason. He's one of the game's very best and it's a challenge when he isn't out there. The guy is probably one of the top 6-7 most important players on the team.

Rick from Green Bay, WI

Happy Tuesday II. Not a question, but more of an observation. To me the tempo and momentum of the game changed when Devonte Wyatt went out. From run defense to QB pressures, we felt off and the Cowboys gained the offensive line advantage. With Wyatt, we easily shut them down.

As Micah Parsons pointed out after, the game turned for the defense after Wyatt exited with the knee injury in the second quarter. One of the prevailing reasons the Packers felt OK about trading Clark was Wyatt's emergence on defense. He's not easily replaced.

Dale from Prescott, WI

With the new overtime rule, where both teams get a chance to score, do you think we'll see more ties this year?

Yes.

Tyler from Cross Plains, WI

Hey guys, I just rewatched the Browns and Cowboys blocked kicks, and I'm no ball coach, but in both instances, including some other kicks I watched that didn't get blocked, there was at least one guy not moving with the snap (Tucker Kraft) or lunging forward with nobody to block (right guard). I can't image they're coached that way, so what's the issue? How realistic is it to have your starters play significant snaps on ST on top of offense, rather than playing the backups that continue to struggle?

It's never one thing, but right now it's too many things for the Packers' operation. Green Bay has a reliable kicker again but needs to support him both on field goals and returns.

Austin from Appleton, WI

The league has a special-teams problem that is negatively impacting the game as a whole. It's not just the long field goals, but the changes to kickoffs seem to have made it easier for teams to start drives at the 35-plus. The art of the long drive is fading. It used to feel like getting the ball while trailing with less than two minutes was an uphill climb. All too frequently, now, it feels like a race to get the last possession.

You're not wrong.

Adrian from Oregon City, OR

Were any DPI penalties called in Dallas? I know I saw at least three that were pretty obvious, making contact and "face-guarding" without looking for the ball. Any comment?

I get what you're saying and your assertion is valid, but I'm OK with no DPI on the Dontayvion Wicks play because that's how Ron Torbert's crew officiated the entire game. As long as the referees keep a level playing field, I'm fine with swallowing the whistle. It would've been an unpopular call either way.

Mike from Grovetown, GA

I assumed in the first three games the defense had a great blend of talent and scheme. Then (Sunday) night it seemed we had neither. So, is the line between what we saw the first three games on defense and last night really that thin?

I implore some of you to watch more than just Packers games. How many caught the Giants and Chargers on Sunday? It is not easy for any team to go into another team's stadium and win. You gotta be on your stuff to come out of road environments with a W and so far Green Bay has fallen short of the mark. The Packers are back home after the bye and must make certain they improve to 3-0 at Lambeau. The defense will be fine.

Kevin from Ocean Isle Beach, NC

Not a loss, not a win, not sure how I'm going to handle the sports media buzz the next two weeks. Hats off to Jordan Love for a pretty impressive game. How valuable is McManus? Micah came through with a critical sack at the end...it seemed like he was fired up after the long completion to Turpin on the sideline. I wonder if he will play with more fire now that Jerry Jones said Dak is indispensable and Micah is not!

That's all water under the bridge now, at least for me. The Packers could play Dallas again in four months or another four years. Micah Parsons is a member of the Green Bay Packers and they're happy he's here. The end.

Jim from St Pete Beach, FL

Even though I knew it was coming, it was a jolt to my system seeing Clark in a Dallas uniform. Did you catch up with him?

Our paths never crossed unfortunately. By the time Clark came out, I was already doing pregame radio in the press box. I am proud to announce I changed my fantasy team name to the "Dallas Clarks," though. I'll catch Kenny down the road.

Jim from St. Pete Beach, FL

Normally I'm bummed during a bye week. If we win the week prior, I like to keep the momentum going. If we lose, I want to get the bad taste out of my mouth. But this year, I could use a week to recover from this emotional roller coaster that's making my head spin and turning my stomach inside out!

You're not the only one. I am fried.

Mark from Big Bear City, CA

My wife showed me this yesterday and made me laugh. A Packers tie is like a dry wedding in Wisconsin. Technically it's a party but nobody's happy. It's healthy to laugh. GPG!

Thank you for that, Mrs. Mark from Big Bear City.

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