Jim from McLean, VA
It may have taken me 15 seconds to read Mike's explanation on the Marquez Valdes-Scantling free play, but it will take me another year to understand it...
Isn't football amazing? And, as Spoff mentioned, it probably takes Aaron Rodgers 1/3 of the amount of time to process all that information. It's a beautiful game…and I'm just glad we get to watch it again.
Mike from Las Vegas, NV
I know it's early, but did any rookie wide receivers outplay MVS and Allen Lazard?
Statistically? Not one. Denzel Mims went on injured reserve this week, too. That's only noteworthy because Inbox would be littered with "Why didn't the Packers draft Mims?" posts if he'd had 96 yards and a touchdown like MVS.
Joe from Parkland County, Alberta
Mike, Spoff, Wes or Hod, I have an MVP question for you. If Davante Adams keeps his current pace of 224 catches, 2,400 yards and 32 touchdowns and Rodgers keeps his current pace of 5,800 yards, 64 touchdowns and 0 INTs. Who wins MVP? Thanks!
Rodgers. Do you know the last receiver to win MVP? It hasn't happened yet.
Lori from Brookfield, WI
Wes, Adrian Peterson averaged 6.6 yards per carry against the Bears and was fifth on the list of leading rushers this week. Is containing AP the greatest challenge for the Pack's defense on Sunday?
I joked with Spoff last week on "Unscripted" how 10 years from now Adrian Peterson will be 45 and somehow still giving the Packers heart palpitations. I don't care which jerseys Peterson's wearing or how old he is, you take notice anytime he's coming up on the schedule. The guy just finds a way to get the job done.
Matt from Fort Worth, TX
It's still early in the week, but it looks like Detroit suffered some injuries to key secondary players. Do you think an offensive performance like Week 1 could be repeated?
Sunday's win over Minnesota was one of the best offensive showings in franchise history so I don't think you could ever just say, "Roll the ball out there and let's do that again next week." That being said, Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams looked pretty dangerous Sunday. Even if the Lions were at full strength, it ain't easy to replace a cornerback of Darius Slay's caliber. If I'm playing "Madden," my game plan starts with Adams. We'll see what LaFleur and the offensive coaches come up with it.
Jim from Rio Rancho, NM
There have been a few questions on "free plays" generated by AR's brilliance. It seems a lot of these plays end up as TDs, not just great plays. Any stats you can share on percentages such as TDs, completions, and incompletes per attempt, etc.? Great job BTW.
No, but that sounds like a great research project for me. That should be easy enough to track looking back at old game books.
Derek from Eau Claire, WI
After seeing who was on the field Week 1, who is your prediction for best rookie performance against the Lions?
Matt LaFleur said Wednesday he'd like to get AJ Dillon a few more carries, so that's one place to start. But I think this is going to be a critical game for Krys Barnes. The rookie inside linebacker did well in his NFL debut (six tackles in 15 snaps) and the Packers will need a comparable performance against Peterson and the Lions – especially if Kenny Clark can't go.
Bob from Oconomowoc, WI
Any thoughts on the Billy Winn pickup? It's not a flashy or popular choice like Damon Harrison but seems low-risk. If he's called up to the 53, he's a lot more affordable with limited cap space. I hope this is the comeback he's been looking for!
I don't know much about Winn other than there are a lot of folks cheering on his comeback, players and media alike. From what I've gathered, Winn was a very well-liked guy in Cleveland and Denver who's had just a terrible string of bad luck. By extending the rules for practice-squad eligibility, this is an opportunity for Winn to get back in an NFL locker room. I like that. He's a low-risk insurance policy for the Packers depending on what happens with Clark.
Rod from Star Meadow, MT
Often after a game like Week 1, I'll log into the opponent's web site and look for their HC insights. Did so, and was immediately filled with empathy. Only one word fits. Zimmer seemed shell-shocked. Demeanor, voice, and expression said way more than his words. As for his players, they got it. Those interviewed knew what went wrong and knew what they had to fix. There will be a chip on the shoulders of that bunch come next time.
Any NFC North team that's made a coaching change over the past 12 years has done so with Rodgers in mind. For that reason, I maintain Mike Zimmer is still one of the best hires any NFL team has made over that span. Zimmer and Rodgers have had some wars over the years, but nothing quite that decisive. The Vikings will be back.
Doug from Union Grove, WI
Three defensive backs into the HOF in one year would be nice, but realistically how many should we hope for?
Two. I think Charles Woodson is a first-ballot Hall of Famer and sure hope LeRoy Butler's time is near. I'd love nothing more than to see those two go in together – the safety partially responsible for Super Bowl XXXI and the defensive back who was a huge part of the Packers winning Super Bowl XLV.
Steven from Silver Spring, MD
When the team did not acquire a more prominent OT in the offseason, was that because they knew all along what they had with Elgton Jenkins? Did he ever practice last year at OT? He is quickly appearing to be the 2020s version of Larry Allen. And given that OTs make a good amount more than OGs, it would stand to reason he has every incentive to keep the momentum going.
Jenkins continues to impress me every time he takes the field. It's one thing to be versatile enough to play multiple positions but it's an entirely different deal to not have a drop-off at those other spots. He looked as good at right tackle as he has at left guard over the past year. Yannick Ngakoue is a tough assignment and Jenkins pitched a shutout in the time he was there. When Jenkins had to move back to left guard due to Lucas Patrick's injury, he hopped right back on the bike at his home base. He's a special talent with 10-year starter written all over his game.
Jonnie from Garden City, MI
Thank you for highlighting the misdirection plays in WYMM. Seeing what went right and how it happened is always enlightening and enjoyable. Do you think if the matchup allows, the Packers will employ similar tactics against the Lions, or do you see them throwing in a bunch of wrinkles that weren't used against the Vikings due to differences in how those two teams are built?
Certainly the Packers didn't blow all their tricks in one game but the misdirection is more than just a gimmicky wrinkle. I think it's something LaFleur wants to weave into the fabric of an increasingly multiple offense. Will they do as much of the end-around stuff against the Lions as they did the Vikings? Perhaps not, but misdirection is here to stay.
Richard from Madison, WI
Not only was 43-34 a "scorigami," it's also a palindrome. Would it be too much to expect another one this week, like 91-19?
Put me down for 63-36 then.
Geoffrey from Rosemount, MN
Do any players opt to drive instead of take the team flight? Is that even an option?
That's not an option. You gotta stay with the team to play.
Ryan from Colfax, WI
II, how do these quarterbacks play into their late 30s and early 40s? I am in my mid-20s and cringe every time a quarterback gets hit by a 270-pound defensive end. How do they continue to get back up and play this violent game week-to-week?
A good offensive line is where teams have to start. Beyond that, it's up to those aging QBs to take stringent care of their bodies. Look at the lengths Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers have gone to ensure they remain in peak physical condition.
Mark from Bettendorf, IA
Minnesota was 3-for-3 on two-point conversions. It looked as though the defense had no sense of urgency in trying to stop them on those plays. Should this be concerning to the team?
Not great, Bob. The Packers have to look at the breakdowns there and figure out what needs to change. Because two of those three looked way too easy.
Don from Green Bay, WI
I watched quite a bit of football this past weekend, and I thought the level of play was very good. Money aside, I wonder if the owners and players thought we really don't need four preseason games, if any at all!
Four games may no longer be necessary for veteran players to be ready for a season but I still think two or three games are still helpful for talent evaluators in picking their 53-man roster at the end of camp.
Brad from Crifton, MD
Any insight into how the opponent for the 17th game will be determined in 2021? The current system is so clean!
Determining how that 17th opponent is decided has been sitting on the backburner in the aftermath of the pandemic. But I agree with you – the current system is so clean. I hate to see it go.
Josh from Charleston, SC
I saw news of Allen Robinson wanting a trade and it got me thinking if it was possible for GB to obtain him. Directly from Chicago...not a chance but what if GB was to reach out to an AFC team that needs help, offer a player and pick to them while they acquire Robinson to trade to GB. Three-way trade where everyone gets something they need while not directly helping their rivals. Think we can make this happen?
I thought maybe, just maybe, I could go a week without "Should we sign/trade for Receiver X" after that offensive explosion Sunday. As usual, I was very, very wrong.
Ferdinand from Woodbury, MN
How many minutes and seconds did Green Bay lead Detroit during their two games last year? I don't think the Packers will be looking past the Lions this Sunday.
Zero, which is why the Packers can't look past the Lions Sunday.
Nathan from Philadelphia, PA
The Packers have not had a lead in any game against the Lions since finishing "run the table" in 2016. Is it important to get off to fast start on Sunday to erase those memories?
That would be advantageous. The Lions are going to be looking to make a statement after a tough loss to the Bears on their home turf – don't let them up. The faster the Packers start Sunday, the more the Lions will be questioning themselves.
Aidan from Atlanta, GA
First-time submitter, longtime reader. How has Preston Smith progressed in Year 2 of the system? His training camp numbers in one-on-one matchups were low and his impact seemed minimal on Sunday. Is there something hampering him? More film on him? Or am I just thinking too far ahead? Either way, I'm hoping for three players with double-digit sacks this year. Has that ever happened?
I think that was more of a product of how the Packers were utilizing him Sunday. Preston seemed to be dropping into coverage more, especially on third downs. He'll be fine. He's a steady, consistent pass rusher who may have to wear a few more hats this season after Kyler Fackrell's departure. As far as the one-on-ones, I wouldn't read too much into that. A week ago, Allen Lazard had a "quiet" camp, too. If Preston padded his "record" against more backups, this wouldn't even be a question.
Noah from Atlanta, GA
I'll preface this by saying I think Bruce Arians is a good coach. But I was taken aback after seeing he openly blamed Brady then went back and blamed Evans for their interception. I could never imagine LaFleur (or McCarthy for that matter) putting that into the world. Are we spoiled?
Every coach handles the media differently but I have a lot of friends in Arizona who say that was pretty much the norm with the Cardinals, too. We'll see how the Bucs respond to it.
Ron from Waukesha, WI
With Lane Taylor headed to IR with his season-ending injury, how close is G Simon Stepaniak from being activated from the reserve/non-football injury list?
Stepaniak still has a ways to go. He tore his anterior cruciate ligament preparing for a bowl game in late December. Comparatively, Curtis Bolton also remains on PUP after tearing his ACL last August. That's not to say all knee injuries are created equal but it gives you a sense for how far Stepaniak still has to go. The Packers knew that when they drafted him.
Bryce from Kenosha, WI
We were told John would return with the regular season. Where's Kuuuuuuuuuhnn??
You can lead a reader to water but you can't make him listen. John's on the radio.
Lori from Brookfield, WI
Wes, what strategy do you and Mike have for dealing with the COVID-doesn't-allow-Lambeau-to-provide-a-halftime-snack-for-sports-journalists problem?
Our department bought a bunch of individually wrapped bags of chips and popcorn, beef jerky and fun-size candy. You know that phrase look good, play good? The same maxim applies to food and sportswriters – eat a lot, write a lot.
