Roger from Midland, TX

Can anyone figure this team out? They play like an elite contender one minute, then an inept Pop Warner the next. Make it make sense. This schizophrenic roller coaster is frustrating to say the least.

Welcome to life in the NFL.

Jeff from Athens, WI

Rico Dowdle had a solid first half for the Panthers and should have caused the defense to make an adjustment for the second half. Watching the game, I could not tell if an adjustment was made or not. Could you tell if an adjustment was made? If so, what was it? I would think keeping a linebacker in to spy which hole the running back goes to would have been a big help, but I didn't see it happen.

Dowdle kept pushing the pile and the Packers didn't have an answer. I said it Saturday – the team that runs the ball better will win this football game and that's what occurred. While Josh Jacobs had one of his best performances of the season, the Packers had no consistent answer for Dowdle and the Panthers. Worse yet, Carolina ran the ball both inside and outside ubiquitously.

Daniel from Chillicothe, MO

The defense being unable to stop Dowdle was my biggest disappointment in the game, but was this really the offense's problem for poor red-zone performance? Is there something to be said for Dowdle just being locked in right now? I remember having to think about Minnesota games that way when they had Adrian Peterson – you could count on him getting 100 yards and a TD against you so you had to count on your offense to be complementary and score more because your D could only slow him down, not stop him.

But Dowdle isn't Peterson, and the defense still must get the job done. Look no further than what Pittsburgh did against Jonathan Taylor Sunday. That was the difference in the game. More than just the total yards, you can't let Dowdle leak out for 19 yards on second-and-10 during a game in which Bryce Young barely threw for 100 yards. It hurt to lose to Colby Wooden, but good run defense is more than just one guy.

Dale from Downers Grove, IL

Hi Mike and Wes, after the game I took my son to Six Flags, and we rode the Raging Bull roller coaster. Through eight games, do you agree, Raging Bull, is this team's identity? Also, I feel for Mike, and hope he is not taking too much grief from fans on his unfortunate timing of the Tucker Kraft historic season article. How do you think the team will respond? Do you think Luke Musgrave can show why he was a higher-round draft choice than Tucker?

I mean, guys get hurt. That's football. Just look at what happened with Cam Skattebo in New York. This season has been a rollercoaster, but the Packers have shown a propensity for resiliency and that now will be tested. For Musgrave, this is a massive opportunity after playing only 32% of the offensive snaps this year. He's been in this spot before and the Packers are counting on him to be that guy again. He stepped up in a major way on the final drive Sunday.

Roger from Midland, TX

With Kraft out, Musgrave has some big cleats to fill. But the Packers drafted him before Kraft, and this is his opportunity to show the league why. How will they utilize him to play to his strengths?

He's a different tight end compared to Kraft. Musgrave can do the in-line stuff but is more of a hybrid in the model of a Jermichael Finley. I assume we'll see even more two tight ends now with John FitzPatrick getting those more traditional tight end looks.

Paul from Ledgeview, WI

Wes, are the Packers a talented team but not a good team yet? Given the injuries, do the Packers currently have the talent to be a great team?

The Packers are very talented but have yet to show the consistency to be considered one of the league's elite. It feels like each step forward is then matched by a step backward. The good news is Green Bay is 5-2-1 and still atop the NFC North. The problem is the Packers continue to be plagued by recurring issues.

Peter from Eagan, MN

Recency bias for sure, but this is probably the worst loss in the Matt LaFleur coaching era. Home game, 13½-point favorites, losing the second most important offensive player, and on the quarterback's birthday. Packers are looking more like pretenders than contenders and that makes me sad.

You were doing OK until the end. That was an undeniably bad day at the office for the Packers, but the "pretenders over contenders" line is a bit out of scope. The Lions lost to the Vikings at home. The Steelers beat the 7-1 Colts. The Commanders lost their QB and fell to 3-6. The Packers are still very much contenders.

Yariv from Nutley, N.J.

Do the Packers have a play-calling problem? Based on his winning record, MLF is a good coach, but isn't it obvious he is not calling a great game this season?

LaFleur's a good play-caller. I think the problem for everyone with a fingertip on the offense is the Packers are reliant on explosive plays right now. When those aren't there, this team has struggled to adjust and take what the defense is giving them. Really, that was the difference in the game Sunday. The Panthers did little through the air but stuck to what was working on the ground.

Tom from Southfield, MI

II, just an observation from here in Lions country...The hair-on-fire, fire LaFleur crowd on social media is breathtaking. And yet, I can think of at least six games the Lions probably lost over the two previous seasons, because of fourth-down decisions Dan Campbell made, and the fans here never called for his head. They appreciate where he's taken this team, and they love him for it...questionable calls and all. Why is Packer Nation so quick to want to broom coach LaFleur?

Right or wrong, I feel like this is also a fanbase that's been tormented a great deal by the outcome of Wisconsin sports since Super Bowl XLV. Most Packers fans also pull for the Bucks, Brewers and Badgers, all of whom have had good teams that fell inches short of championships. I think Campbell catches a break due in part to how the Lions have played throughout most of my lifetime.

Pete from Chippewa Falls, WI

Hafley often talks about disguising coverages to confuse QBs. But so far, I'm not seeing any QBs getting confused, which is a big reason why the defense isn't generated turnovers. Seems like Hafley is sticking with a four-man rush and dropping seven. And the QB knows where Micah is at. Teams keep going on long drives against us because we aren't getting consistent pressure. Tied for 12th in NFL in sacks. We aren't giving up explosive plays, but we aren't getting teams to punt either.

A pattern is developing with teams being so unwilling to drop back into a traditional offense and fire the ball downfield. Your best guess is as good as mine for how the Packers counter that, though. Do you play more one high and send extra blitzers? Perhaps, but there's risk of giving up more big plays. What the Packers have done defensively is working. They conceded just 16 points to Carolina and rank top 5-10 in most categories. To me, the biggest problem right now is turnover margin. The Packers sit at net zero, which is good for 13th. They tied for third last year at plus-12.

John from Jupiter, FL

Morning Wes. Much more than a little disappointed. Two things. What does Jordan Love see or think when he throws into triple coverage like that and how do we possibly stop Saquon Barkley? I just don't know if this team has that "we want it more" attitude. Thanks.

That's a problem with predetermined throws. Listen, interceptions are going to happen, but you'd prefer them to come in competitive situations and 50/50 plays. The deep ball to Christian Watson was not that. I'm gonna gather my thoughts on Barkley. We have another six days before gameday. At the very least, it sounds like Wooden's shoulder injury won't be a long-term issue.

John from Belleview, FL

So, what was Carolina doing that nullified our pass rush? Did we even get a "hurry"? And why does everyone discount Carolina as a trap game? They came in 4-4 and left with as many wins as the Packers.

Carolina barely threw the ball, but the Packers struggled to corral Young during the instances where he was pressured. Green Bay finished with just two QB hits, including the Xavier McKinney's strip sack. Quay Walker had the other.

Mark from Ishpeming, MI

When was the last time the Packers covered a two-touchdown spread as a favorite?

You couldn't possibly find a superlative I care less about. That said, the Packers were unquestioned favorites Sunday and did not play like it. Period.

Andrew from Richmond, VA

Everyone is rightfully questioning the fourth-and-8 decision by LaFleur, but honestly, I am more upset with the third-and-3 play call. Another outside screen in the red zone that the defense saw coming and blew up for a big loss. Reminded me of the OT drive in Dallas where Trevon Diggs blew up that screen to Matthew Golden. Both critical plays in keeping the Packers out of the end zone. I hope they can "make it worth something" and draw up a play to take advantage of that aggressiveness in the future.

It's been a staple of the offense dating back to the Davante Adams era, but obviously you gotta look at everything when the execution isn't there. Is there an answer for why it failed or is it a concept you need to stick a pin in for a minute?

Tim from Clear Lake, IA

So, I was at the Panthers game on Sunday and was very impressed by our fans. Even in the first quarter when Carolina had the ball, the crowd was very LOUD. And it continued the entire game and even elevated in the fourth quarter's final drive. So, my question to you is...how did the crowd rate this game? Has it been even crazier in other games?

I thought the Lambeau crowd was great, especially after such a lengthy stretch of road games and the bye week.

Rick from Flagstaff, AZ

Any insight as to why Daniel Whelan helps on windy kickoffs? I get the familiarity being the holder, but wouldn't a defender more fleet of foot with tackling ability be more suited to help during a return?

With the recent rule changes, an additional player is allowed to hold for the kicker but must leave the field of play after the ball is kicked.

Benjamin from Bear, DE

Oh my God, I just finished reading Monday's column and noticed three questions were submitted by gentleman named Ben. If I had a question submitted and answered, we might've had a new record. Anyway, simple question here. Where do the Packers go from here? All three phases of the game were terrible. Please show me the light at the end of the tunnel.

As I sit here today, I don't know that answer. Really, it's up to those players and coaches to decide. The Packers wrap up against the NFC East over the next two weeks before diving into the heart of their divisional slate. It's time to go.

Jim from Hudsonville, MI

Congratulations to Tramon and Big Earl! Some real happy news in the middle of a sad few days. Is it just me, or does it seem like these guys played, like, yesterday?

The Tramon Williams one hit home for me because I didn't realize he'd already been retired four years. Congratulations to a pair of deserving legends. Spoff and I will have more on both players later this morning on packers.com.

Ingrid from Hugo, MN

Let's get that campaign running. Spoff/Hod 2028! I just might have to make a shirt.

I retired from politics after serving on the Forest Glen Elementary student council in fifth grade.

Karl from Valparaiso, IN

Gentlemen, there are few things I enjoy more than coming into the stadium and seeing the beautiful natural grass with the iconic Packers green and gold uniform. It's honestly a letdown to see the throwback brown and blue. Is it an NFL policy that each team must use a throwback uniform? It feels that they don't play as well in them. Do you know their blue-and-brown uniform record?

The throwback unis drawing the ire of Monday morning quarterbacks was one fallout from Sunday's loss that I did not expect.

Rich from Janesville, WI

I just want to say, after Sunday's game, I really feel for you two and all the B.S. you're going to get from all the fans who want the team to be playing their best ball BEFORE the end of the season and going into the playoffs. I get it, it sucks, but never a loss, always a lesson. GPG

It's only a loss if you don't learn from it. But the NFC is gonna be tight this year. Green Bay's gotta start stacking. You lost this one. Can you get one back against a better Eagles team?

Mick from United Kingdom

To tweak a Madden quote, "If you have two kickers, you have no kickers." Choose a kicker and let's move on.

I've personally been waiting for the trading deadline, which is now only a few hours away.

Bill from Menominee, MI

Given the health of the roster took a setback, the 53-man roster plus practice squad is still in a solid place. The win-loss record is not dictating any immediate games as "must-win." The QB, albeit making some questionable throws, is capable of hitting the big throws. A vast majority of the roster has playoff experience. Take this loss on the chin and prepare for the Eagles. There's a lot of football left, and the Pack is a threat to any opponent.

That's the one thing for sure about the 2025 Packers is they can beat anybody. It's just that other part of equation they're still working on.

Cary from Sioux Falls, SD

Wes, Vic had a knack of saying something after a Packer loss that always made me feel better, e.g. the Seattle and 49er playoff losses. Can you tap into your inner Vic and ease my disappointment after that debacle on Sunday?

I don't fancy myself the wordsmith Vic was in this space, but this feels like an inflection point for Green Bay. Speed up or slow down. Follow or fade. Fortunately, Monday Night Football is on deck and statement win over the Eagles under the primetime lights would quickly right the sails.

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