Inbox: Now is the time to stack that success on the road

Packers were rewarded for their improvement with a much-needed victory Sunday

Nov 13, 2018 at 08:40 AM

Wes Hodkiewicz

packers.com senior writer

David from Brown, FL

I have a finance teacher in school who worked on Wall Street for 15 years. He is one the meanest teachers in class you will ever meet. After having him for multiple semesters, I find myself more cynical, more sarcastic, and yes, slightly meaner. I think that the Inbox has done the same thing to Wes, and I love it.

This place has hardened me over the past 2½ years. I can almost feel the hair poking out of my chest. Good morning!

Steve from Lake Stevens, WA

What is the biggest difference in preparation between a Thursday and a Sunday game?

It's like working on three hours of sleep instead of a full eight. Winning these games comes down to who better handles the attrition of the week. Physically, it's difficult for players to be at their absolute best in this setting.

Jeremiah from Denver, CO

Is there anything specific the Pack needs to accomplish to execute in the fourth quarter Thursday? Is there something tangible, like a condition behind our struggles late in games on the road, or has it just been a run of rough bounces and worse timing?

Protect and move the football. That's what was lacking in the fourth quarter against the Rams and the Patriots. The Packers took care of business Sunday at home. Now is the time to stack that success on the road and build a winning streak.

Al from Austinmer, Australia

The fans know it. The media knows it. Maybe the Packers coaches now, finally, after Week 10, know it. No. 33 needs to carry 15 or more times a game. Please tell me he'll get his carries vs. the Hawks.

Jones is a revelation. It's been that way since he got his first opportunity last season. For my money, he's the most explosive runner the Packers have drafted in the modern era. They've had good backs, but nobody with that kind of explosiveness in my lifetime. Jamaal Williams also has had his moments, but that game was tailor-made for Jones to have a career day.

Toua from Milwaukee, WI

I know this Packers team is a throwing team, but maybe it's time to change philosophy about the offense. They need to rely on the running game more. Wouldn't it help Rodgers more if teams need to also focus on Jones in the running game? I hope the run-pass balance shows up at Seattle.

The Packers don't need to be a passing team or a run team. They need to be a balanced team. While game situation sometimes dictates how a game plays out, the Packers have always preached balance since the beginning. The most balanced team I covered was in 2014 when Aaron Rodgers won his second NFL MVP award. He had a pair of 1,200-yard receivers in Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb, and a 1,100-yard running back in Eddie Lacy.

Jim from Tucson, AZ

How long has it been since the rookie draft class, in total, has looked this good, contributed this much, and given us this much hope for the future?

2013. That nucleus of Eddie Lacy, David Bakhtiari and Micah Hyde was special and helped catapult the Packers to the NFC Championship Game one year later.

JT from Paris, KY

"I've got Packer fever and the only prescription is more Greene!" Nice example of next man up. Will Raven Greene get more snaps going forward?

These are the stories that make sports special. Here's an undrafted rookie from the FCS ranks who scratched and clawed his way to the NFL with grit and sheer determination. As they always say, performing on special teams is how you punch your ticket to offense or defense. Greene was called upon in several big spots Sunday and he proved the moment wasn't too big for him. I also thought it showed great faith on the Packers' part calling the direct snap to Greene after he only recently replaced Jermaine Whitehead in that role. Have a day, young man.

Nick from Chicago, IL

Greene is a stud full of swag and tricks. I think his nickname should be "Greene Magic."

Or "Greene is gold."

Lori from Brookfield, WI

Wes, how long has the team been practicing the fake punt?

They've been working on that all season. The only recent wrinkle was Greene as the personal protector.

Jeremy from Newnan, GA

Loved the fake punt up by 16, especially after the Dolphins did it to us earlier in the game. I'm sure one of those situations where if it didn't work the play-calling would get blown up, but I loved not letting the foot off the accelerator.

I don't think the Packers called that play to get one back on special teams, but I felt that play helped Ron Zook's unit end an up-and-down day on a high note.

Zach from Stevens Point, WI

While generally our special teams have not been great, our kick-coverage unit has been very good this year. Especially Oren Burks! Anyone else standing out on special teams in a good way?

The Packers did exactly what they needed to do against a game-breaking returner like Jakeem Grant, holding him to 20.8 yards on four kickoff returns.

Andy from Eau Claire, WI

I noticed that the Packers are tied for the league lead with 31 sacks. I thought pass rush was a weakness of this defense. What do you make of it?

Sacking NFL quarterbacks isn't easy, but Mike Pettine and his defensive players are finding ways to get the job done.

Vincent from Boston, MA

Insiders, there are only seven games left in the season, but the Packers have a better record than Dallas, Philadelphia, Atlanta and Seattle. Sunday's game showed Valdes-Scantling continuing to separate himself from the other first-year receivers and proving he belongs on the field, and the line opening holes for Aaron Jones to streak through. All around us the wolves are howling, but really, isn't it time to just "chillax" and enjoy the season?

I know several of you like to paint me as an eternal optimist, but that performance didn't surprise me one bit. The Packers played two of their better games against L.A. and New England. As long as the team stayed the course and didn't get frustrated, I thought Green Bay wins that game against the Dolphins. The Packers are improving and they were rewarded with a much-needed victory Sunday.

Dave from Lake Mills, WI

I was glad to see Marcedes Lewis getting into the passing game more. I hope that down the stretch, they go 2-3 TE sets. Defenses would have a rough time having fast enough players to cover Davante Adams and MVS and also having big enough guys to bring down Jimmy Graham and Lewis.

Lewis warned everyone not to sleep on him. Miami did and the wily veteran responded with the biggest passing play of the afternoon. But you're right, it is important to establish Lewis as a pass-catcher, so defenses can't sell out for the run every time he enters the game.