Inbox: Panic is for the prey

Hannes from Glendale, WI

My favorite Vic-ism has always been "Good teams take what you give them. Great teams take what they want." The reluctance or inability to dink and dunk their way down the field would then indicate the offense currently is neither good nor great. Until they prove otherwise, opposing defenses will be all too happy to play two deep safeties. Where do we go from here?

The offense needs to do what the defense did Monday and make the necessary adjustments. The Panthers ran through the Packers' defensive front during that 16-13 win. Green Bay responded by clamping down against the Saquon Barkley Monday night. The Packers' offense must find a way forward – identify what it does well and does not do well and press on. The season depends on it.

Dan from Beloit, WI

Help! I'm in panic mode. Give No. 2 a chance.

Panic is for the prey, Dan. Two weeks ago, Jordan Love was the NFC Offensive Player of the Week. These two losses have been disappointing, but JL10 is the leader of this football team and a central part of the solution.

Shanna from Corunna, IN

Defense wins championships. Our defense really played at a championship level. When is the offense going to realize it's got to help? I get it, lots of guys inactive or went down in the game but come on. How many times are we going to shoot ourselves in the foot?

The offense knows it hasn't pulled its weight the past two weeks but just doesn't have the answers yet. The Packers need to find some in short order because the road won't get easier. This week, they head to New York to play a scrappy Giants team that beat Philadelphia last month. Green Bay needs a playoff mindset this week.

Tim from Olathe, KS

Wes, our OL got manhandled again. It's time to put our OL where they can be most successful. We have heard for years that RT is not Zach Tom's best position and it showed against Philly. Jordan Morgan was drafted as a LT and he's playing RG. Elgton Jenkins is a Pro Bowl LG and he's playing C. Aaron Banks seems confused. This lineup is just not working. Will we see some changes soon?

Now is probably not the time for sweeping changes after losing Jenkins for at least four games due to the ankle. I felt Sean Rhyan played well in a pinch and most likely will man that post in the interim. Maybe you could plug Anthony Belton in somewhere, but that's another college tackle learning to play on the interior. The Packers are in the heat of the storm right now. They need unity, not dissolution.

Trevor from Arvada, CO

I think where my personal panic comes in is, I haven't seen a defense in Green Bay pass the eye test like this, in 15 years. And my fear is we are going to let a championship defense slip away and there's no promise it will be this good next year. But I understand you can't have a complete team across the board. But it would be a shame if nothing good can develop with world-class players this year.

That's the most maddening part. The Packers legitimately have a championship-caliber defense that still has room to grow.

Alan from Saugerties, NY

Everybody knows on third- or fourth-and-1 we are handing the ball off to Josh Jacobs. Why not try a QB bootleg just once as a change of pace? It is so frustrating seeing us get stopped time after time when only a yard or two is necessary.

That's what folks will be asking until the kickoff Sunday.

Benjamin from Bear, DE

I'm not going to lie, as a diehard Packers fan, I'm worried about the rest of the season. One concern is how this team continually makes the same mistakes game after game. Pre-snap penalties. Dropped passes returning. Linemen reporting as eligible yet being covered by a wideout. These mistakes should be eliminated during the week's practices. Why aren't they? Finally, a top 10 defense and the offense sputters. Please, talk me off the bridge!

I wish I had something more concrete to offer, but attention to detail has eluded the Packers this season. It's not that they're not emphasizing discipline in practice, but it hasn't translated to games nearly enough.

Shannon from Ovilla, TX

Do you think part of the offense's problems stem from all of the different personnel packages the Packers have tipping play selection? It has bothered me for a few years why the Packers seem to switch out most if not all the receivers play after play, almost like certain plays are designed with specific players in mind and others can't execute those plays. Certain players on certain plays thus tipping the defense to the possible play selection?

That's something Green Bay may need to peek at. There's been a few instances this year where it looks like the defense has a step on whatever the Packers are doing, particularly on sweeps and some inside-zone runs.

Randy from Vernon Hills, IL

Idea for rule change: In short-yardage situations, allow the overhead camera to be used for coaches' challenge or expedited replay review to enforce a penalty for linemen jumping offsides. That way, the fans who adore the "tush push" can still have it, but if you cheat (repeatedly), you'll get caught.

Sure, fine, whatever. Listen, I'm tired of talking about the tush push. It was a good wrinkle when Philly concocted it, but it's become nothing more than a poorly officiated gimmick. It's not an exciting play and adds nothing to the NFL's marketability. Oh, and it might be a safety hazard. The charade will end at some point. Hopefully, it's sooner than later.

Chuck from Hudson, WI

As a gold package holder, I only get 2-3 games a year, but I have never experienced poor conduct from any opponent's fans. Last night I was in disbelief, most if not all Eagles fans were loud, obnoxious, cocky, drunk, and just plain A-holes. Is this their norm or was it too many Spotted Cows after a day of tailgating?

I have some thoughts on Philadelphia's fanbase, but my son once told me if you have nothing positive to say then don't say anything.

Bill from Fort Worth, TX

So, which II is more entertaining from a counselor's standpoint: the mania after a win, or the post-loss depression? One might think the manic thoughts of the Packers being the greatest team ever, saddled with a few inexplicable losses, might be easier. The most rewarding to me, where you're impacting lives, would be working through the depressive thoughts of trading to the hapless Jets to restock draft capital. Plus, some good gallows' humor seems to help you, as well.

My enthusiasm for writing this column has never been dependent on wins or losses. It's probably tied more to how many other responsibilities I have at that moment. Adversity and triumph are the ying and yang of competition, though. To fully appreciate one, you must recognize the other.

Connor from Kingsport, TN

When are we finally going to admit that a large portion of the issues that this offense is facing is related to the play-calling? Trying over and over to establish the run with the same boring and predictable plays is clearly not working. We have seen so much success in the intermediate passing game, yet it seems like LaFleur is so hesitant to let Love go out and sling it. I'd like to see more confidence from everyone, and it wouldn't hurt if Love would audible out of a fourth-and-1 run every now and then.

I'm not gonna pontificate on what the Packers need to do to solve their current offensive woes. There's enough couch QBs on social media providing that analysis. What is obvious is Green Bay is not having the same type of success using the run to set the table for the offense like it did in 2024. So, what's the adjustment, what's the counter?

Mike from Geneva, IL

After the game I had a lot of the same frustrations and anger as a lot of fans. During a long day of traveling for work on Tuesday I had a lot of time to reflect on the game and current concerns about the offense. While the offensive performance was offensive, I realized not many teams are consistent on that side of the ball. Outside of the Rams, Seahawks, Patriots and Colts, no team has proven to be consistent. Even those teams have their moments. Just find some consistency.

Hundreds of millions of dollars are spent every year by NFL teams in search of consistency and yet it remains one of the most elusive aspects of the game. Most can perform at a high level on any given Sunday, but who can do it on most?

Eric from York, PA

Hi Weston. By George, I think I've got it. The Packers have finally reached full consistency by being consistently inconsistent this season. This is what we've been hoping and asking for all these years! Not sure about anyone else, but I'm just going to sit back and enjoy the rest of the consistent ride wherever it may lead. Thanks for all you and Spoff do. BTW, I did catch the "Breaking Bad" reference but was too drained to respond in kind. GPG!

Unfortunately, the Packers' offensive struggles were one of the more consistent aspects of that second quarter of the season. The search for better continues in Q3.

Joe from Bozeman, MT

I think the Packers can assume that every defense from here on out will play a soft shell like the Panthers and the Eagles did (except maybe the Vikings). ML is an offensive mind, so he either needs to figure out how to get more deep balls or they need to practice the dink and dunk. Eventually opposing defenses will have to come out of that shell if the Pack is successful and then it's time to burn them deep.

The situation reminds of the end of the 2011 season and most of 2012 when teams sold out in two-high looks to stymie Aaron Rodgers and the vertical passing game. The Packers eventually drafted Eddie Lacy, David Bakhtiari and Corey Linsley in 2013-14. The good news is they have a bell-cow running back in Josh Jacobs, but they gotta find ways to get him moving. The Packers ran the ball in quantity Monday night, but the quality wasn't what it needed to be.

Jeffrey from Eveleth, MN

They (we) will rebound from this. I believe this team is strong and will respond. GPG. I'm all in.

Fans can be reactionary. That's their right, but an NFL teams must keep perspective on both success and failure. The reality is the Packers have three losses – one to an objectively bad team, one to an objectively OK team and one to an objectively great team. They lost all three games by three points. What does that tell you? Adjustments are needed, but the Packers can't afford to lose the forest for the trees right now. There's too much riding on this season. Green Bay can win these games but needs to start winning these games.

Scott from Duck Creek Village, UT

After paying over $700 for five different TV subscriptions just to watch the Packers, we along with millions of others couldn't watch the Eagles/Packers game because of a contract dispute. I've reached my frustration point and am done with the NFL. I still love the Packers but will be reading about them from you guys (Mike and Wes). Thanks for providing us real, honest, and reliable content for us to enjoy and learn. Go Pack Go.

I'm sorry to hear that, Scott. Hoping you get a positive resolution soon and a few Packers wins for your troubles.

JD from Juda, WI

Love the column, been at it a while. Whether 'yer in the bar or on the field, players gotta play.

Make it a quote and throw it on the board.

Dave from Stevens Point, WI

As a military veteran myself, I appreciate Micah Parsons taking time to meet and pose for active-duty soldiers at halftime. Classy act.

It was a wonderfully kind and classy gesture on Parsons' part. Thank you for your service, Dave.

David from Santee, CA

Love the Packers goal to win the division and reach the Super Bowl each year. Problem is that in the 37 years of Favre, Rodgers and Love they have made just three trips to the big game and lost six NFC Championship games. Go Packers.

Respectfully, do you realize how entitled that sounds? The rest of the NFC North, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Arizona Cardinals, L.A. Chargers and two dozen other owners would do anything for that kind of stretch. I understand the desire and pressure for the Packers to achieve more, but what you outlined is success greater than like 95% of the NFL.

Dave from Germantown, TN

I know this week is just beat the Giants. However, the season will depend on our performance against the rest of the NFC North in five of the last seven games. These teams know the Packers and their schemes better than anyone in the league. How do the Packers set the table to dramatically improve our 1-5 record against the division from last year?

You know what's harder than facing the North five times in the last seven games? Beginning that stretch with a 5-4-1 record. Get on the horse and start figuring some stuff out.

Yotam from Israel

Time for an unrelated question: Apart from Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes, do you see any QBs with HOF potential? I know, a lot can happen, and it's silly to predict (see: Wilson, Russell), but still...

Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen. Once you win an MVP, I think you're on your way.

Zak from Huntington Beach, CA

Mike opted for brevity in his closing for Tuesday's Inbox, so I figured I'd lend a hand today, just in case Wes preferred something a bit more verbose: Adhering to the globally recognized Gregorian calendar, which stipulates a strict seven-day ordered cycle, and given our planet's continuous rotation defining this precise moment as the fourth day in the aforementioned established weekly sequence, we can accurately and without further complication state that today is Wednesday.

And the sun indeed rose in Green Bay.

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