Dale from Prescott, WI

Is Wes OK? Or is he working on a big project?

He's good. We just switched up some column assignments this week due to the Monday night game.

Al from Tulsa, OK

Hey Spoff, it's wreak havoc, not wreck havoc. And I don't have a degree in journalism.

Yeah, I knew it was wrong as soon as it came out of my mouth, but I didn't want to annoy my colleagues and start the segment over on a late, long day. Just took one for the team.

Bob from Rome, NY

Mike: Last time the Packers played at the Giants in 2023 they were done in by some Italian "cutlet." Let's make sure we don't get burned by some hot, smoldering cigarettes! Yes, I know, exit stage left!

I'm about to join you.

Pete from Hillsborough, NC

Sometimes you win. Sometimes you lose. Some are born to sing the blues … the movie never ends, it goes on and on and on and on. Life in the NFL. Don't stop believing.

The annual Journey.

Chase from Diamond Springs, CA

We keep pointing to the first two games, but there was no tape on the 2025 Packers then. Teams have figured out they can play a certain way and let us beat ourselves. Once we stop doing that, then we actually have to beat them. Only then might we be able to play like the first two weeks or better. Peaking at the right time gives opponents less data to figure us out. It's not a strategy, but it often drives teams to Super Bowls. It's all still in front of us.

If you'll recall, I wrote a lot in this space the first two weeks about defenses loading up to stop Josh Jacobs, and Jordan Love made them pay. Remember the Washington game? Love had 292 yards passing on just 19 completions – a whopping 15.4 per. Yowza. After another game of explosive plays galore in Dallas, opponents said, "We can't let Green Bay play that way." They haven't, and with the exception of the second half in Pittsburgh, the big plays have been harder to come by, and the Packers haven't been successful enough when forced to do things differently, yet, for opponents to readjust. That's really it in a nutshell.

Marty from Plymouth, WI

As I submitted to II several weeks ago, the Packer offense will continue to struggle until the play of our offensive line improves. It has to start there. Then everything else will fall into place.

And I've theorized the lack of continuity up front has hampered the unit's overall play. Now there's another major adjustment to make at center. They've got to get it done, regardless of circumstance. I believe there's plenty of talent in that bunch, and time is getting to be of the essence.

Brian from Ontario, NY

The effectiveness of having an extra lineman has been useful throughout the league this year. Being able to get some push with an extra big body and playing off that with play-action seems like a perfect adjustment with Tucker Kraft out. In theory, this would help with pass protection too. ML ran some but I would love to see much more of it with Darian Kinnard and Anthony Belton to see who excels more in that role. The offense clearly needs to evolve and quickly; it starts up front.

I would expect they'll continue to dabble in it, but it must be practiced and communicated well enough to get lined up right.

Darrel from Pueblo, CO

II, Gutey spent big bucks in FA for Nate Hobbs and Aaron Banks and so far they are looking more like a bust than boom, which is very un-Gutey-like. Do you think either/both will come around at some point or has Gutey lost a little of his magic?

I'm always willing to let a full season play out, but the health issues alone have prevented the Packers from getting any bang for their buck to this point.

Heather from Hixson, TN

With our offense stalling the last few weeks, what do you think is the thing that is going to get them turned around and get that spark going again?

It might be as obvious as scoring a touchdown early on, so the offense gets some momentum and has something to build on as the game continues. The only touchdowns in the last two games have come late in the fourth quarter.

Tallon from Castle Rock, CO

Towards the end of last year it seemed our problem was we couldn't beat man coverage and teams played it a lot because our speed guys were gone. This year with Christian Watson and Matthew Golden teams are playing that two-high look and we can't seem to beat it because our YAC guy, Kraft, is out. Jayden Reed was an absolute zone killer last year, could he be the missing piece? What are your thoughts?

Reed is definitely a YAC guy, and I think Golden can be one, too. Plus I agree with CJ here.

CJ from Wausau, WI

Insiders, I agree the plethora of mistakes weekly are the problem, but I also think the lack of explosive runs is a big issue. Our running game has been OK, but it's not scaring anyone. Isn't that one of the biggest differences from last year?

A couple of explosive runs would make defenses reconsider two-high as well, in addition to the comments above. I prefer to think in terms of multiple remedies, not a single magic bullet (or loogie, as it were).

John from Spring Hill, TN

Mike, thank you for your answer to Steve from Stillman Valley, IL, explaining why Love might have missed some open receivers. It reminded me of your "What You Might Have Missed" series. It also is a reminder that quarterbacks are processing a thousand different things at once, and one small miscalculation (e.g. thinking a pass rush might prevent you from setting your feet when Doubs is open) changes everything. The fan on the couch truly has no idea how fast this game is played.

Nope, and why TV replays showing "open receivers" often do fans a disservice and should never be taken as gospel. What the QB is dealing with in the pocket at any given moment, and whether defenders are positioned to tighten the coverage by the time the ball would arrive, can only reasonably (and by no means perfectly) be understood with a very wide view like the all-22.

Tom from Highland Village, TX

Third try's the charm. I have used your argument about playing Brandon McManus because the coaches see both kickers in practice every day as recently as last week. However, having a range of only 55 yards with the new K-ball rules changes my thinking. Opinion stated here is they add 5-7 yards to kicks. So he is giving up 10 or more yards to most kickers in the league, including his backup. That is too much of the field to concede a chance at three points. He didn't kick into headwinds both directions.

First, the 55 range was my guess based on warmups. Second, the wind chill was in the low 20s Monday night, and the Eagles turned down a 53-yarder for a six-point lead in the final minute. That wasn't the climate-controlled, roof-closed (lol) Arizona dome out there.

Jeff from Foothill Ranch, CA

Hi Mike, we often hear it's a week-to-week league, attack-counterattack, make adjustments, and the like. I wonder if we're so focused on fixing our own (stuff) we're not prepared for the opponent properly? Or if we're so focused on preparing for the opponent that we can't focus on ourselves? Could there be something to that? There isn't much practice time these days in season, so how much can really be practiced anymore once the games begin?

I can't speak to the Packers' approach, but that's the tricky balance every coaching staff must navigate, how to prepare for an opponent and address internal issues simultaneously, and neither ever goes away. When there's too much to clean up, either one aspect or the other gets short-changed. Plus there's what Nathan is adding to the mix.

Nathan from Rice Lake, WI

With all of the shuffling that has happened due to injuries, how much does practice during the week get impacted? If Love and the offense can't practice together, how in the world can they be expected to perform at a high level? Alignments, blocking schemes, routes are all about timing and precision that can't be manufactured without practice.

That's always a factor, and again, something every team must manage. Last week, seven offensive players who played were limited participants in at least two practices (Banks, Malik Heath, Jacobs, Zach Tom, Watson, Dontayvion Wicks, Savion Williams), and when that's a weekly occurrence it adds up. The best teams overcome that.

Jose from Las Vegas, NV

I don't quite understand why people keep calling Jordan Love a "developing" quarterback. After sitting behind a Hall of Famer for three years and now being in his third season as a starter, shouldn't he be past that stage? I've watched most of this year's games, and it actually looks like his field vision has regressed. He also struggles with anticipation on his throws. The good news is that both of those areas can still be improved, especially since he has a strong arm and solid accuracy.

By no means do I consider Love a finished product, and I do believe his health issues last season limited his Year 2 growth. Also, folks are conveniently forgetting that at this stage of Rodgers' third year, the Packers were 6-3, with the fifth win a 9-0 slog against the Jets when the offense looked anemic and kicked three field goals, before it took off for 60-plus points the next two games, then stumbled to 17 points in another loss. We'd all like to see more consistency and fewer growing pains right now, but progress in this league is never linear.

Tyler from Cornell, WI

The offense looks very much like it did in the first half of '23 and towards the end of '24. The consistent thing about this offense is that it takes dirt naps for weeks at a time. I know there are injuries and such to take into account but the offense looking absolutely putrid for eight straight quarters has to give at some point. Last week it was collapse in the red zone, this week it was collapse anytime anywhere. So so frustrating. My big thought after Monday night was "this isn't fun."

It's not fun for anybody, but I'd say the difference between this and when the offense cratered down the stretch last year is it has moved the ball regularly and had numerous opportunities to score. It just hasn't cashed in. That tells me it's not as far away as it might look. It didn't feel that way when last season ended, at least not to me.

Austin from Appleton, WI

I almost never submit a defeatist entry to II, but here goes. Each year since 2021, there's been a game that transitions from "it's a week-to-week league" to looking at the team and realizing that the hurdles to make a deep playoff run aren't likely to be overcome. I think this team is there. I am excited to watch the rest of the year and hope I am wrong, but the bad things from this team seem too consistent halfway through the year to correct.

I understand the sentiment, but I've been doing this too long to just submit to nothing changing. The 2023 team looked like it was going nowhere and then was playing as well as any contender in January. The '22 team was dead in the water with six losses in a seven-game stretch, then found something, blew out the division leader for a fourth straight win and had a home game with a shot to get in the dance. The 2016 defense gave up 33, 31, 47 and 42 points during a four-game losing streak, then suddenly allowed 13, 13 and 10 in the next three games as "run the table" began. I'm not saying this team is guaranteed to suddenly get hot, but it's certainly capable, and I've seen more unlikely scenarios unfold.

Luke from Dubuque, IA

This team is currently at the fulcrum of a seesaw and the game against the Giants will determine a lot moving towards the end of the season. A step in one direction, taking a loss, and our momentum could carry us down a demoralizing path. A step in the other direction, bringing home a win, could launch us into the final stretch with stacking wins while maintaining composure and discipline. Which step will they take?

I've said this many times in similar spots over the years, particularly those mentioned above, and I feel the same way now – I believe this team will right the ship. The question in my mind is whether it will do so in time to still make the most of this season. So, obviously, the sooner the better.

Kyle from St. Charles, MO

Answering the tie letdown with three straight wins had most feeling pretty good. These last two games, with their lack of offense and unfortunate injuries have diminished much of that high. Though, looking ahead at the schedule there's no reason to believe the Packers can't get right back in this. The defense has clearly shown it's legit. Hopefully the offense and coaches can all get on the same page and soon. Starts with NYG.

In the big Jersey tin can, no less. Wes calls it an air conditioner. It might be the most antiseptic stadium in the NFL, but all that matters is leaving it with a win.

Dan from Minneapolis, MN

Packers beat NY. Detroit loses on the road in Philly. Minnesota wins at home over Chicago. Packers are then first in NFC North when the real season begins. Focus on winning the division. Does this work for everyone?

Works for me. Happy Friday.

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