Jennifer from Middleton, WI

Happy Thanksgiving! I wish you both nice evenings with your families. Considering the noise coming at Ford Field, have you and Mike been practicing your silent count strategy to communicate during the game? I imagine the press box "lean over move" will be a challenge this week.

This is my third Thanksgiving at Ford Field and Mike's sixth, so we both have our process down pat at this point. I wish you and everyone reading today's Inbox the Happiest of Thanksgivings. Grateful to all of you for making the column a part of your day.

Donald from Bigflats, WI

Well, Thursday is the 27th. Just saying.

The Packers scoring 27 again in a win on Nov. 27 would be enough to make a guy start wondering…

Bill from Menominee, MI

Packers vs. Giants – Just get a win. No matter how, we need a win. Packers vs. Vikings – Just get a division win. No matter how, just get a division win. Packers vs. Lions – Make big-boy football a part of your identity again. Get a win against a big-boy team on primetime and gut out a division win.

There's so much at stake in this one for the Packers. They're not only looking to move to 3-0 in the NFC North after finishing 1-5 last year but also trying to sweep the Lions in the regular-season series for the first time since 2020. I can think of no better way for Green Bay to once again establish itself as a contender in the NFC than a statement-making victory this afternoon in Detroit. Like Evan Williams said on Tuesday, it's gonna be a dogfight. That much is certain.

Charles from New Berlin, WI

Hi II, no question but an observation. From what I got from Haf's presser to contain Jahmyr Gibbs is this. Play assignment-sure football and mind the gaps. I like this formula. Go Pack and Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Containing Gibbs isn't the only thing the Packers need to do to leave Ford Field with a win, but it's a great place to start. No team has succeeded at stopping Gibbs like Green Bay did in Week 1 when he finished with just 50 yards on 19 touches.

Joel from Show Low, AZ

I believe Edgerrin Cooper holds the key to controlling Gibbs. His speed to set the edge is an important factor. Just like the first game of the season, the defense needs to swarm to the ball. Winning the turnover battle again and keeping the penalties down should bring us the desired results. Just tame those Lions!

The Packers' defensive front was in sync with one another in the opener, which enabled Green Bay to clamp down on Gibbs and David Montgomery. Cooper has really rounded out his game this year and it's been a boon to the run defense. Hopefully, the Packers can get Quay Walker back for this one, but Cooper definitely speeds up the second level regardless of who's lined up with him at inside linebacker.

John from Stevens Point, WI

In what areas do the Packers have an advantage vs. the Lions? Does being at home tilt this game to the Lions?

Ford Field always has a tremendous gameday vibe, which hits fever pitch on Thanksgiving. That said, the Lions are pretty banged up and playing on turf for the second time in five days. That's no easy task, especially when you consider it's the first time this season Detroit is playing on turf in back-to-back weeks. Again, just something to monitor.

Betty from Peachtree Cit, GA

I just wanted to say thanks for the great article on Kamal Hadden. It's a testament to the team as well for their diligence and faith in developing next-man-up players. I was proud and appreciative of Matt LaFleur's comments. Best wishes for success for the young man. We will all be rooting for him!

Thank you for reading, Betty. Whether the Ypsilanti, Mich., native Hadden starts today against the hometown Lions or not, he's still a great story. He was drafted in the sixth round by Kansas City and doesn't make the team. Hadden jumps over to Green Bay and grows both as a player and person to earn a place on the Packers' 53. When called upon against the Vikings, the lengthy cornerback was up to the task. As Jeff Hafley said Tuesday night, Hadden was making a case for playing time even before Keisean Nixon's injury.

Richard from Caledonia, WI

Wow! Lots of players on injured list this week! Earlier thought Lukas Van Ness was cleared to play but did he injure his foot again? We need another big win!

Van Ness played six snaps against Minnesota, but Head Coach Matt LaFleur told reporters on Tuesday that the foot still wasn't feeling quite right. He stopped short of calling it a setback, but Van Ness obviously isn't playing today.

Paul from Ledgeview, WI

Wes, with Daniel Whelan commenting on the speed of his gunners, I am curious just how much speed the Packers have on the 53. How many guys have clocked faster than 4.4 in the 40? How many other players are considered "fast" for their size? How significant is speed for their defense?

It's a bigger, stronger, faster sport, so obviously those intangibles are valued in every phase. As far as determining the fastest players, it's an inexact science because not every NFL player is invited to the combine and not every invitee runs the 40. As far as official times, I believe Matthew Golden is the fastest at 4.29 with others hovering in the 4.3s.

Ethan from La Crosse, WI

I know there's no math in the Inbox, but I question how Dave from Aurora sees the Packers needing eight division wins when they only play six division games.

He was referring to having two beat two of them again in the postseason. To Mike's point, the Packers first must get past the Lions for a second time – no easy feat for any NFC North adversary. I mentioned the Packers, but Detroit hasn't been swept by any division foe since Chicago achieved it during Dan Campbell's first year as head coach in 2021.

Steve from Eau Claire, WI

Does the negative yardage from a sack count as passing or rushing yards? I've always wondered, GPG!

It counts against passing yards, hence why J.J. McCarthy threw for 87 yards last week, but the Vikings netted just 52 as a team.

John from Arlington Heights, IL

Why are the Insider Inbox headlines so obtuse? For example, "That was it" reveals absolutely nothing about the Q&A. If you can't be bothered to write a real headline, why should anyone be bothered to read what follows?

There's beauty in simplicity, John.

Jason from Boyle, MS

I think if John Madden were still around, he would be a Jordan Love kinda guy. You know the way he loved Brett Favre. Let's watch Love get another turkey leg.

Love is developing quite a track record in Detroit. He came up big for the Packers two years ago and they could use another virtuoso performance today.

Stephie Rae from Flowery Branch, GA

Happy Thanksgiving to all II, this being Wednesday afternoon and y'all are on the flight to Ford Field, I doubt it will get any airtime since it's likely to be obsolete after Thursday's game. First, glad to see Warren Brinson making some impact! Second, love the Madden Turducken tradition and hope our guys get to feast without any hiccups this year. Third, help me make sense of the symbolism on the Madden patch. I cannot make it out, surely I'm ill-informed. Grateful for all your insight and common sense. GPG!

Oh, ye of little faith. You made it with plenty of time to spare. I'm glad you brought up Brinson, though, because more people need to be talking about him. The rookie sixth-round pick only played 21 snaps against Minnesota but finished with five pressures and his first career sack (split with Isaiah McDuffie). I thought Brinson played a great game and the Packers will need more of that today with Karl Brooks out with the ankle. The "Madden" patch is simply a way to honor John Madden on the Thanksgiving holiday with which he became synonymous.

Erik from Anchorage, AK

On this Thanksgiving may we all give thanks to Jerry Jones.

No chortling, but I'm sure you stand among many diehard fans who are grateful that Micah Parsons is a Green Bay Packer.

Jim from Wausau, WI

Why did the NFL change the Lions game to noon rather than 11:30, the usual Thanksgiving game start time?

That was a small adjustment the league made at the beginning this year. Roger Goodell made the announcement on the "Pat McAfee Show" earlier this year. The NFL wanted to keep a typical Sunday slate of noon/3:25/7:20 p.m. (CT) games.

Jordan from San Antonio, TX

Happy Turkey Day II! I am thankful for this Q&A forum. Thursday is also my wedding anniversary. My wife is a Cowboys fan and cheers for the Pack as well. Win or lose. I hope everyone feels as blessed as I do to have my favorite sports team playing with a chance for greatness. Throw in the family stuff and I am probably the most thankful Cheesehead come kickoff. Just beat the Lions and Go Pack Go!

That sounds like the perfect day with wall-to-wall coverage of Packers/Cowboys football.

Pete from Hillsborough, NC

With the new K-ball rules and elite placekickers, how long do you think it will be before we see a 70-yard field goal? Lately it seems like they are getting awfully close. Is this good?

Good or bad? That's for the public to debate, but it sure seems inevitable, doesn't it?

Kathie from Pasadena, TX

If one of you could do live in the booth for any NFL game past or present, which one would you choose?

Ice Bowl. Seems like it would be warm-ish up there.

Steve from Flagstaff, AZ

Not a question but kind of a cool story that ESPN College Gameday ran this past Saturday. They were doing a piece on Michael Vick. A story on redemption and his new coaching job at Norfolk St. and that person who recommended him for the job, Virginia Senator Aaron Rouse. Yes, that Aaron Rouse who was a third-round pick of the Green Bay Packers in 2007. What is crazy to hear is that Aaron Rouse's first INT came against Vinny Testaverde, who was with Carolina at the time.

What a small world. Rouse is a tremendous story and a testament to resiliency and determination. It's great to see what he's accomplished in his post-football career.

Zak from Huntington Beach, CA

Most people have heard of a "turducken," and I'd like to propose a similar portmanteau: "Vikbearion." This is when the Vikings, Bears, and Lions all get a loss in the same week. Hopefully, the Packers will set the table and beat the stuffing INTO the Lions, followed by a couple "bird" teams finishing the dish with wins over Chicago and Minnesota. On this holiday note, I'd just like to say I'm thankful for the Inbox and the community it provides for Packers fans everywhere. GO PACK GO!

That's a dish every Packers fan is hungry for.

Shannon from Ovilla, TX

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! Win today and we have a 1.5 game lead over the Lions and own the tiebreaker, if for some reason we get to that. Let's make this a two-team race for the division with six to go.

It's all to play for.

Brad from Nokomis, FL

Who is responsible for the "Connections" info listed on The Dope Sheet? Incredible!

The "Notable Connections" section typically falls on our communications intern, which this year is the thorough and affable David Ramirez. Unfortunately, he's also a Dodgers fan.

Keith from North Muskegon, MI

Mornin' II, Wes's suggestion of blaze orange uniforms for the Bucks is absolute genius, even more so that many non-hunters would not even understand the color choice. There has got to be a way you guys can assist in making that happen, right?

Re-posting this because I sent my original submission over to my buddy Jesse Clark, who does social media for the Bucks, and told him I hereby waive all royalties. He sent a laughing emoji back, which I assume means the idea is a go.

Al from Green Bay, WI

It's a three-horse race in the NFC North, and they're rounding the bend! The Pack will earn the W in Detroit. Reasons to believe: 1) This GB defense continues to ascend, and it's not just Micah Parsons. Devonte Wyatt, the LBs, and the back end are making life miserable for the opposition. 2) Jordan Love is having his best year overall, and he's still ascending. 3) Daniel Whelan! 4) Detroit has regressed from last year's heights with new coordinators. 5) Josh Jacobs/Emanuel Wilson runs will open the passing game. GPG!

Hopefully that's worth a few drumsticks. Happy Thanksgiving everybody! Enjoy the game!

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