Mike from Pekin, IL

In response to the Browns' ability to stop Derrick Henry, a strong passing attack should loosen up a run defense. I didn't see the Browns/Ravens game, but I suspect Cleveland loaded the box in the effort to shut down Baltimore's run game. Green Bay's answer should be steady doses of Romeo Doubs, Matthew Golden, Malik Heath, Tucker Kraft and company with lots of play-action. Then, Josh Jacobs will have better luck.

Spoff talked last week about the cat-and-mouse game in the secondary, but the same logic applies on offense. The game is obviously more complicated than simply doing the opposite of what the defense is showing, but on balance, you must be able to run against two-high coverages and pass against loaded boxes. It's the fastest way to put a defense on its heels and fortunately the Packers have the players to do it.

Joey from Eau Claire, WI

Should we be worried about Jacobs' production against Cleveland because of how its defense manhandled King Henry? If so, should we look to Golden finally getting a huge game?

I'm not worried, per se. Jacobs and the offensive line just need to bring their lunchpails Sunday. It's gonna take a workmanlike performance to earn that front's respect. Sprinkling in Golden and Savion Williams in the backfield could help stretch the Browns, as well.

Chase from Diamond Springs, CA

How much of "staying committed to the run" involves running it between the tackles? The key benefit is to keep them honest, but do the sweeps, wildcat, and quick short passes do the same? Or are they more of a third dimension that can help open up either the run or pass game?

It all counts the same in the box scores and the defense must guard against wherever the offense is winning, but I feel like running between the tackles consistently (and productively) sets the tempo for an offense built like Green Bay. Getting Jacobs going north and south is a massive win condition against Cleveland.

Mick from UK

I've heard the "Cold Front" mentioned as a nickname for our defense. I'm thinking the "Ice Wall" sounds a bit more intimidating, plus there is the Game of Thrones/King of the North connotation. Thoughts?

"Stop the run, pressure the QB" doesn't make for a fancy T-shirt slogan, but that's all I care about with this defense right now. Keeping shutting offenses down and the nicknames will come soon enough.

Scott from Sauk City, WI

I know you're not the team doctor and don't know the injury timetable, but it was concerning to me Jayden Reed did both surgeries at once. If Reed thought he could play through the foot, but the collarbone caused him to change his mind, that almost sounds like punting on the rest of this season. Either he thinks the foot will heal faster than the collarbone, or the collarbone recovery is so long he already knows the season is lost, so fix the foot, too. Can't imagine finishing this season without "11."

Matt LaFleur said he doesn't expect the foot surgery to affect Reed's timeline for a return. Regardless, Reed had a fractured foot and a broken clavicle. Both injuries required surgery, so why not knock it all out? I don't see the point in delaying the inevitable when Reed's already going to miss a significant amount of time.

Brian from Russia, OH

The Packers have seemed to jump out to fast starts in each of their first two games, which has allowed the defense to pin back the ears and get after the QB. If the Packers win the toss Sunday, should they receive the ball to start the game rather than deferring their option to the second half?

It's the coach's preference. Kyle Shanahan will defer under any circumstances. While the Packers have taken the ball more in recent years, LaFleur may send the defense out first based on how well it's performed so far. One could argue there's even more momentum to be extracted from a three-and-out or takeaway on the opponent's first possession than the offense scoring points straightaway.

Bill from Crystal Lake, IL

I've seen some comments regarding the need to create more turnovers. I believe those will start to come in bunches as teams will start to take more chances, because our defense is flying to the football, so they aren't having success with the run game or short throws. Plus, our corners are already able to sit back and jump routes which should start turning into INTs. I think the best part is this D is dominating without creating turnovers right now. A lot to be optimistic about moving forward.

And there just haven't been a whole lotta downfield throws. I remarked to Spoff how Xavier McKinney has yet to be the beneficiary of a careless airball such as the one Caleb Williams threw to Kerby Joseph or Russell Wilson to Donovan Wilson. The takeaways will come if the Packers keep getting after it like they have been. Don't press. Only pressure.

Tom from Keota, IA

Hi II. The guy I think Packers fans (and the Packers) should keep their eye on is Harold Fannin, Cleveland's rookie tight end. Had the best season any TE has ever had in his last college year (117 rec, 1,555 yards, 119.6/game). They're easing him in, and he's already gone 7-63 and 5-48. On THAT offense. Taking snaps at slot, in-line, and even in the backfield. He's the sort of guy it's easy to lose track of when you're worried about the big names. He's a big talent, only getting started.

The Browns clearly are looking to build around their tight ends. Through two weeks, Cleveland has used its "12" personnel package as a pseudo-base offense. David Njoku has played 124 offensive snaps (83%) while Fannin has played 101 (68%). With Quinshon Judkins now in the lineup, I can only assume we're primed to see more Sunday.

George from Lacey, WA

Would we really try to get rid of Malik Willis?

It'd be like canceling your car insurance before a cross-country road trip to Walley World to save a few bucks.

Phillip from Corona, CA

Hi guys. This is the best explanation for not making the trade for Willis. "Not a chance. I wouldn't take a second-rounder, either. That's not worth it to put yourself one play away from being desperate, too. And nobody is going to offer a first-rounder, so that's that." We have a backup QB who gives us a fighting chance in case something bad happens. I'll go with what we got. Thanks guys for all your great work. Take care.

My prior point is you can't get cheeky now. We're too far down the road. Every win is valuable whether you're playing for the lone first-round bye, an NFC North title or a Wild Card spot. You never now when you might need Willis.

Subhadeep from Middletown, CT

Micah Parsons and Joe Burrow are two evidence I put forward the Packers do not trade Malik Willis. We get Micah with boatloads of money, draft capital and sending a player like Kenny Clark to Dallas. We also see what Joe Burrow's injury is to the Bengals' hope for a SB run. You get Micah to win now and see a starting QB like Joe put a significant doubt on the Bengals' hopes. So why would you risk Malik trade? I don't see that happening either!

That's the other thing I don't get about this. Jake Browning is the Bengals' Doug Pederson. He's been QB2 in Cincy for four years. If Browning goes down, Cincinnati is in a world of trouble regardless of who's next QB up. It makes no sense for either the Packers or Willis to part company now.

Steve from McCordsville, IN

Thank you for the well-written article on penalties. For my part, I'm constantly dumbfounded by the special-teams penalties. I just don't get it. As a player, you can either successfully make the block, or you can't. Holding and block-in-the-back penalties are inexcusable. I get it that an OL might hold to save his QB. But that is rarely, if ever, the situation on ST. Why is this problem seemingly so difficult to fix?

I get what you're saying, and the Packers need to get it corrected, but it's not apples-to-apples with offensive line play. The game changes when you're defending moving targets vertically rather than a pass rusher directly in front of you.

Jay from Town of Big Flats, WI

Hey guys, I agree with your assessment regarding kickoffs and long field goals. Isn't the deterrent field position if one of those long kicks is missed? I think we are seeing most of these long kicks made at the end of the half or game (which I don't mind). And I think we will see some of those gambles fail as we get into seasonal football weather. If the NFL grows tired of it, just don't give the teams the balls ahead of time.

That's the inherent risk of missing long kicks. Just look at the Packers' starting field position after Matt Gay's miss at the end of the first half. Jordan Love needed one completion to Dontayvion Wicks to give Green Bay a chance at a field goal.

Dustin from Kansas City, MO

Through the first two games, which player has exceeded your expectations the most?

Wicks is off to a great start. He looks more like his 2023 self. LaFleur has done a great job scheming him up, too.

Yotam from Israel

Regarding fielding kickoffs from the goal line instead of letting them touchback to the 35-yard line, I think the reasoning is that a poor return will still usually yield at least 20-25 yards, while once in a while you'll get a break and go 50-plus yards or even all the way. The competitive player believes "this can be the time I'll break free," with simple analytics suggesting it's a worthwhile risk.

Perhaps. With more kickers positioning kickoffs this year, I've noticed fewer returners keeping their heels on the goal line like last season (when they could just let the ball pass for the touchback to the 30). Given the need to make an instantaneous decision, is it possible they fear fielding the ball and stepping back into the end zone?

Mitch from Brown Deer, WI

To answer the question about kickoffs, "Why are they not instructed to let it drop in the end zone?" It's because the ball is not round, it is pointed at both ends. When it hits the ground, the returner has no idea where it is going to go. If he guesses wrong, and the ball doesn't go into the end zone, it's a live ball, and the other team could recover it. The safer option is to catch it and try to get as many yards as possible.

If you make a mistake, get it corrected fast.

Mike from The Woodlands, TX

A year ago, people wondered if teams would just keep going for it on fourth down. Now the concern is teams only needing to gain 20 yards and then booting FGs. Maybe the ability to stop teams on fourth-down conversions in easy FG range will balance out the spike in ultra long FGs. Maybe another scenario will arise that we didn't think of. Or maybe, as an old friend once said, we should just watch. Just beat Cleveland baby!

The ebb and flow is endless. For every action, there will be a reaction whether it's adjustments on the field or at the owner's meetings next March.

Amy from Hudson, WI

Reading the dope sheet vs. Cleveland made me indignant all over again about the lack of recognition for the historic success of Matt LaFleur's head coaching career. Seen in black and white the statistics are incredible. Please tell me how Kevin Stefanski has won NFL Coach of the Year twice and Matt LaFleur rarely seems to even be in the conversation?

All credit in the world to Stefanski, but I've been thinking…why not do two head-coaching awards? Like NFL Coach of the Year and NFL Turnaround of the Year? I've said this a few times now, but NFL COTY (in its current form) is the most meaningless AP award because of the inconsistency in what voters choose to emphasize in any given year. LaFleur's first two seasons in Green Bay are proof of that.

Jason from Wausau, WI

I am going with a couple buddies to the Steelers/Packers game. I've only been to our beloved Lambeau but is there anything we should know before going into Steelers country?

Congrats. You picked one of my top five picks for NFL stadiums to visit. First and foremost, Pittsburgh is an awesome city. Heinz and PNC Park are two the best stadiums/locations in all of U.S. professional sports.

Bob from Rome, NY

Wes: Glad to see the NFL is allowing an onside-kick attempt anytime during the game. It only makes sense since a team down by three scores with 30 seconds left in the third quarter might want to attempt one and the play has to be declared. If I'm right (please don't agree with my wife if you know what I mean), is this the only play ever that was banned only until a specific time in a game? I can't think of one. Waiting for the expertise response as usual. Thank you.

I can't think of any scenario other than that.

Phillip from Wonder Lake, IL

With two wins can the Packers make it four in a row?

You need three to get to four, Phil. My goodness, how many in this fanbase are looking past the Browns…yeesh.

Ryan from Ripon, WI

Do you think the early bye week is going to be an issue? We had our mini Thursday-to-Sunday bye week and then the regular one Week 5, is that going to be a benefit having kind of a stable schedule of weeks being played?

We'll have to see where things stand on the injury front in a couple weeks. Generally, I detest the early bye, but it can be helpful. When the Packers pulled a Week 4 bye in 2013, Clay Matthews wound up having an extra week to heal up after injuring his hamstring against Cincinnati. For the current team, however, those final 13 games are gonna be a slog.

Hannes from Glendale, WI

In response to Kyle from Madison, and that might be just me, but I'd rather see long field-goal attempts than all the tushing-and-pushing on fourth downs all the time. Maybe the new kickoff rule was set up with that in mind?

I'd rather see more long field goals than pushed tushes.

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