Scott from Noblesville, IN

The following is a list of NFL fan bases that feel sorry for the Packers:

No lie told.

Kevin from Bogart, GA

What are the chances GB can pull off a Pittsburgh-type rebound against a conference favorite? The NFL is an up-and-down league so I can only hope.

Everyone knows the Packers' capabilities. This team hasn't rediscovered the mojo it had the first two games of the season, but it's out there. I believe that.

Randal from Sebring, FL

What is your overall take of 2025 at the halfway mark? Is this the Season of Self-Destruction?

That sounds a bit harsh, as well as premature. My take is this is a very talented team that isn't polished enough yet to play with the consistency (however fleeting) expected of an elite team. But there's still time, and they're in good position.

Chuck from Beloit, WI

Hi gang. Not a question, more of a statement of fear. With the way our last two opponents have been able to run against the Packers, I really hate to see what will happen against Philly on Monday night. Against a makeshift O-line no less. We seem to have built around a pass rush and forgotten how to play the run. Can the coaches fix this at this part of the season?

Run defense is about fundamentals and teamwork. It's always fixable. The problem with the Eagles is a defense can do everything right against Barkley, but they've still got Hurts, Smith, Brown, Goedert, etc. Barkley is on pace for "just" 1,100 rushing yards this year, not 2,000, yet they're still 6-2. The Chiefs, Rams and Buccaneers – who are a collective 17-8 on the year – held Barkley to a grand total of 177 rushing yards over three games and the Eagles still beat each of them.

Jeff from Foothill Ranch, CA

Hi Mike. This has nothing to do with the Packers' action or inaction at the trade deadline (as I'm writing this no announced Packers moves), but I'm curious to hear your thoughts on the increased deadline activity in recent years. Am I correct in thinking it's becoming more commonplace for big trades? Are GMs more willing to deal picks than before? Did any move surprise you?

I can't recall seeing any team do what the Jets did, moving two of their top defensive players to load up on draft picks. It's a bold strategy, Cotton. They now have seven (or is it eight?) picks in the first two rounds over the next two years. Mercy.

Jeff from Ely, MN

Too bad Marcedes Lewis isn't still available. It would be great to have him back on this team!

He is available. He's on Denver's practice squad.

Sue from Three Lakes, WI

Extremely bummed Packers fan here. What exactly does it mean to play a soft shell defense and why the heck can we not adjust to it?

A soft shell aligns both safeties deep, as well as plays zone with the corners to keep everything in front and not let anything go over their heads. The Packers were able to adjust to it and move the ball. They just weren't consistent or disciplined enough to not make a drive-killing mistake at some point along the way, which is why defenses will keep deploying this tactic. Their soft shell naturally tightens up in the red zone when the field shrinks, forcing offensive execution to be more precise, and that's where the Packers failed.

Richard from Farmington Hills, MI

Mike's very direct responses regarding the team's performance (or lack thereof) on Sunday should put the lie to those who still think you guys are shills for your employer. Separately, did Aaron Banks have an injury history before this season?

In his three seasons as a starter for the 49ers (2022-24), Banks missed one, two and four games.

Joe from Fargo, ND

In light of what happened on Sunday, and ML's comment about Halloween and just trying to win a football game, I think we can conclude that either A) he knew that Carolina was a tough match up for his team. Or B) the team was not performing in practice the way he hoped. And he knew what happened on Sunday was a possibility. Thoughts?

I don't know about that. Only he would. I took his emotional reaction to the fumble on the first drive as a rather exasperated, "That's the only way they can beat us" declaration.

James from Chicago, IL

Will fans ever understand the difference between a bad play and a poorly executed play? The WR screen was a great play both against Dallas and against Carolina. In both cases the outcome would have been wildly different had all of the blockers blocked.

True, but that block is also much harder to execute when the defender is right up on the line of scrimmage at the snap. It's preferable for the ball to go elsewhere if that's the pre-snap read.

Richard from Greenwich, NY

Good morning, Mike defended Jordan Love's two long floaters in the Steelers game. Both were completions, and the Tucker Kraft reception went for 59 yards. I cringed during that game, but somehow neither was intercepted. The luck ran out against the Panthers. Forcing the long ball seems like a major flaw in Love's game.

I defended the two heaves in Pittsburgh because they were both against blitzes (six-man pressures, coverage numbers compromised) and on third downs outside scoring range (so make something happen or possession's likely lost). The Carolina INT was against a four-man rush on first down. Apples and orangutans to me in the context of situational football.

Sean from Springfield, OR

I'm starting to feel like this team's identity this year is "how many times can we shoot ourselves in the foot and win."

A post that makes me laugh and think at the same time. Add in a cry and Jim Valvano would be proud.

Jeff from Ogden, UT

Rico Dowdle looked like Water Payton on Sunday. How on earth did that happen for 60 minutes? I really don't think Bryce Young had the ability to win the game throwing the ball.

The shame is the Packers didn't allow anyone to find out, which was the fault of both the offense and defense. Young was 2-15 on the road as a starting QB coming into Sunday.

Mike from Socorro, NM

My observation, at this point in the season, is that the Packers seem to play up or down to the level of the opponent. When playing down the odds of a loss soar and when playing up the odds of a win soar. My question is does this seem to be an accurate read of the current Packer team?

This "level of the opponent" is a common take, but it's not exactly how I would put it. As I wrote Sunday night, what stands out to me is when the Packers are forced to play a style they'd rather not, they look uncomfortable and out of sorts doing so, and therefore struggle, at least for a while. That's what the first half in Arizona felt like, and most of the game vs. Carolina. What appears to be "playing to a level" is really the opponent's plan (of dictating a different approach) working until some sort of breakthrough, and that didn't come Sunday – for a whole host of reasons – until the TD with just 2½ minutes left.

Jack from Moweaqua, IL

This wasn't like the Cleveland game IMO, this was more of a four-quarter stinker. They literally called the same play back to back on that early fourth-quarter red-zone drive, Love just went different sides with it. Kudos to Carolina because they outplayed us and outcoached us. This was a much more glaring loss than a few last-minute mistakes in Cleveland. With the defending champs coming in Monday, does the response to this game define how this team will look for the rest of the season?

No, to answer your question, because one game never defines a team, and certainly not this one. But the response will definitely tell us something about what this team's made of. I agree this wasn't like Cleveland, which was really two disastrous plays (one on O, one on ST) that lost a game. This was the team's worst performance of the season, and now it needs to find its best one.

Sean from Excelsior, MN

At what point do the coaches have to evaluate themselves and humbly change the way they are coaching? Because clearly what they are doing is not working. Special teams is a crap shoot every week, even though we have a much "lauded" special teams coach. Offense is consistently plagued by penalties that put them in horrible spots. Defense is probably the closest to being "right" but still has some work. The coaches need a long honest look in the mirror.

I believe LaFleur suggested that look will be happening. There's a danger in overreacting to a bad performance when what you've done has won five (and a half) of eight games. But there's also a difference between a stinker in September and one in November. The status quo risks another total clunker this month or next when the Packers can least afford it, but the process has produced a certain level of success. The line between adjustment and change must be walked carefully.

Paul from Northglenn, CO

I'm curious if the added pressure from Policy has coaching staff looking over its shoulder? Nothing but championships message can be a mentally imposing burden for some and motivation for others. From the outside looking in appearances are the former. Going for it on fourth-and-8 in the opponent's red zone screams desperation IMHO.

I've never heard a "nothing but championships" message, but when you sign up to coach in Green Bay, competing for championships is the expectation, even more so when the GM mortgages his top draft pick the next two years and a massive chunk of salary cap for a generational talent. Any coach who feels that's a "burden" is in the wrong business, and I don't believe that's the case here.

Mark from Westminster, CO

I was thinking more about this loss and the lack of identity and synergy this team has halfway through the season, specifically on offense. Sometimes a team loses a game due to bad luck, other times it's poor coaching, and still other times it's player execution. This loss felt like all three parties showed up and piled on.

Agreed, and when all that piles up and the loss is by just three points, it speaks to how much this team really does have going for it. But getting, and staying, on track will take work and focus from all involved. It won't just magically happen.

Kyle from Wallingford, PA

Another thing for sure about the 2025 Packers is they can lose to anybody. You mentioned that the Packers have been resilient, but we've seen now that the defense struggles to stop the run as soon as they lose a body up front. Now the offense has to reconfigure around missing Kraft. Kraft seemed like the best player in terms of bringing a nasty attitude and bringing the hit to the other team. Who do you think can step up and bring that attitude?

Right now, I don't give a (rip) about attitude. I'd rather have execution, and Kraft's reliability there will be the toughest piece to replace.

Scott from Houston, TX

How are blitzers continuing to delay a second and come right through the middle untouched? It looks like right after the center looks left or right, here comes the blitzer. Is this a system issue or a player not paying attention issue?

That sounds to me like a timing mechanism the defense tried based on its film study of the pass protection.

Rick from Woodstock, GA

Responding to your discourse about officiating from last week, the "spots" that Green Bay received on Sunday were abysmal, at best. Consistently shorted from a half yard to a full yard. I was under the impression that when a body part went down (knee, elbow, shin, etc.), the most forward point of the ball was the "spot"! Not Sunday! Actually this goes back to Brazil last year and continued throughout the year. The refs probably owe us a full field by now!

I'll just say Land Clark's crew Sunday left a lot to be desired. The number of rather obvious calls (late hit not out of bounds, forward/backward pass) that had to be corrected by replay assist was ridiculous.

David from Athens, AL

When were the Badgers ever inches away from a championship?

On April 6, 2015, at Lucas Oil Stadium vs. Duke. Led by nine at one juncture of the second half.

Michael from Sarasota, FL

My bride and I are on vacation in Hilton Head Island, S.C. Monday morning we took a bike ride along the beach and through lovely single-family neighborhoods. I thought of Spoff when I saw a small sailboat tied up at a dock adjacent to a canal-front home. The name of the boat is "Serenity Now." A very timely reminder considering what just happened on Sunday afternoon in Lambeau Field. Go Pack Go!

Looks like my offseason vacation destination has been decided.

Bret from Stevensville, MT

Despite the rollercoaster season, the Packers are in a great position for the segment of the season that "counts." Expand what is working, eliminate mistakes, and play your best football. Can't the running game start to generate some explosive plays? I say yes. If the team can play winning football the rest of the way, the frustrations will be forgotten.

Happy Wednesday.

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