Duane from Oak Creek, WI

Who would have ever thought the Brewers would be at Lambeau with the trophy? Epic!

It was such a cool atmosphere to be a part of and made for an evening I'll never forget. It was surreal to see the Brewers bring the Commissioner's Trophy out onto Lambeau Field. Bob Harlan's halftime ceremony, the sausage race, drone delay and a Packers victory were the icing on the cake. That night belonged to Wisconsin sports fans. They deserve it.

Detlef from Breitenstein, Germany

It certainly looks like the Brewers had fun Thursday night. I cannot imagine anything much more awesome then celebrating the World Series at Lambeau. When I think about my playing days, the celebrations with the team after a big win were at least as fun as winning itself. I hope the Packers will return the favor and visit American Family Field next spring showing off a Lombardi.

Wouldn't that be something? It's always great to see the Packers, Brewers and Bucks support one another. I was walking back to the press box during halftime when armed security mall-walked right past me with the Commissioner's Trophy. It's a beautiful trophy and I'm thrilled it finally has a home here in Wisconsin.

Steve from Ankeny, IA

I broke a couple of ribs in my life, and I was hurting for days. How does Christian Watson return to the game with a broken rib, and what does this mean for him going forward? Love your column!

That's the power of molded padding, adrenaline, and a whole lotta toughness. I've said it for years. Christian Watson is cut from a different cloth.

Al from Green Bay, WI

In addition to the "W" from Thursday night, there were some smaller victories worth noting. First, the Packers' nine official QB hits on Bryce Young (including six sacks) came without a single RTP call! Second, aside from Mr. Watson's broken rib and a bit of blood being spit, there were no significant injuries to our team. Third, we are now one game closer to the return of Micah Parsons, Zaire Franklin and Skyy Moore. What would you add, Wes?

I tip my cap to Scott Novak and his crew. They established a standard for how the game was going to be officiated and stuck to that standard for all four quarters. That's all you can ask. Broken ribs don't heal overnight, but the long weekend should help Watson rest up a little. The Packers need him. This season won't get any easier, but hopefully the tide turns with the injuries. Best of all, we are one day closer to Parsons' return.

Shannon from Whitehall, NY

I fell asleep at halftime, because East Coast and early work. I woke up to Watson catching the ball and thought I was dreaming so I turned off the TV. Has anyone else ever gone to the hospital mid-game and not only returned but continued playing? That is amazing and says so much about him as a player.

I'm sure it's happened at some point over the past 107 years, but nothing comes to mind. I feel confident saying there's never been a more dramatic return to Lambeau than the shot of Watson running from the ambulance to the field. That one is going to be difficult to top.

Nate from Canada

I can be a doomer sometimes but that was a great win for the Pack. So many young guys stepped up. It was like watching a preseason game, where they're just flying around looking to make the team, so encouraging for the future. J. Michael Sturdivant showed great hands on the catch too. I think we're emphasizing too much on the drops. Don't get me wrong, there's too many catchable balls, but a lot of them are not as easy as it looks. The one by Matthew Golden in the end zone, was a super tough catch, not a drop.

It was a tough play, but I was impressed how Jordan Love went right back to Golden on the next play. The Panthers were hurting at cornerback, which led to practice-squad callup Marco Wilson starting. Green Bay knew that and kept feeding Golden.

Jeremy from Rendon, TX

Just a thank you for all you guys do, long days, unhappy fans, and still dealing in humor and teaching grammar. Wanted to note to all the Jordan Love haters he is an MVP QB. Has been and will continue to be. He's dealt with copious amounts of drops, rotating O-line, and still performed. Here's my question, how can a win still feel like a loss? I don't know if it's the running game, the constant sloppy play or what but I'm unhappily happy. Go Pack and thanks again!

You'd have to ask yourself that, but I will say this – if you watch the Packers with any regularity and don't appreciate the importance of Jordan Love to this football team, I don't know what to tell you. He isn't perfect. I'm sure Love wants that interception back, but he is elite and Green Bay wouldn't be where it is without QB1. Love has never played better considering the circumstances.

Bryan from Steamboat Springs, CO

Wes, did Mike make you see yourself out for that "Hopper-tunity knocks" subheading?

I don't think he had enough energy left to fight me on it at 2 a.m.

Matt from Garland, TX

I had a feeling that Ty'Ron Hopper could be special.

I have liked Hopper since he got here. There's a reason the Packers drafted him one round after taking Edgerrin Cooper in 2024. Hopper has good size and that nasty element you need from a see-ball, hit-ball linebacker.

Jeffrey from Eveleth, MN

Watson has a set…of ribs that are very strong. Hopper and Isaiah McDuffie deserve a ton of praise. This is the best set of inside linebackers I've seen in Green Bay. You agree?

It's the deepest the Packers have been at linebacker during my time on the beat. Like Javon Bullard said after the game, Hopper could've been starting for a lot of NFL teams, but Green Bay just happened to have some very good guys ahead of him on the depth chart the past couple years. He's proving he was ready, though.

Ross from Summerville, SC

Gents, if the announcers didn't point out John Williams at center, you wouldn't know he's there. Great job by this young man.

Williams stepped up in a big way after the injuries to Sean Rhyan and Jacob Monk. I tip my cap to Laken Tomlinson, who was making his first start at right guard in a decade. Thursday was probably the Packers' best game as far as pass protection, but it was again a grind on the ground. The search for answers there continues.

Sebastian from Switzerland

Rushing stats against the worst rush defenses in the league: 66 yards against the Panthers and 57 yards against the Cowboys. Isn't that very concerning?

Yes, and Josh Jacobs was asked about that after the game. His reply when asked how sustainable it is to win without a more productive run game: "I honestly don't know. I've never been in this situation. But it's a lot of hope. I would say that. I see the way that these guys work, they're intentional. We'll go have meetings without no coaches, just the O-line and the running backs and we go over what we see and what they're thinking and what I'm thinking and the design of the play and little things like that, so I think it's only a matter of time before it get cleaned up."

Bruce from Lakewood, CO

Gents: The continued inside runs seem like throwing good money after bad. Short passes over the middle to Tucker Kraft and Savion Williams and jet sweeps seem to fit our strengths. What do you think?

Whatever it takes until the run game takes.

Santijav from Staten Island, NY

The thing that came out of last night's game is that the Pack can win games without the run game being a major part. I think that's why LaFleur is now is using more TEs and RBs in the passing game and mixes some running play as balance. Now just get Love a little more mobile and watch our team take off.

They have to capitalize on two-safety looks one way or another. The Packers famously used the pass to set up the run in 2011-12. Green Bay needs to find its formula.

Dana from Bethlehem, PA

Caught much of the game on TV here in eastern Pennsylvania. Outside of the middle of the game, the rest was a bit too nerve wracking. It was nice to see the run game with Jacobs back getting some important first-down yardage, even if the game rushing totals weren't that great. I'll take a 5-3 record at this point in the season, but as a lifetime fan and shareholder, I think we're in for a rollercoaster ride the rest of the way.

Hopefully, the ride isn't as bumpy as you project, but the Packers obviously have work to do. Still there were too many negative-yard runs on Thursday night, but Jacobs picking three or four yards on third-and-1 runs was a positive. The offense needs that to keep defenses guessing on third-and-short.

Bryan from West Salem, WI

I know it's a good problem to have, but...it's going to be a bit of a bummer seeing some of our guys lose snaps when Micah comes back! These defensive ends have been playing some incredible football

I think it'll only make the pass rush that more unpredictable with how Jonathan Gannon can utilize Parsons (everywhere) and Lukas Van Ness, Barryn Sorrell and Dani Dennis-Sutton as three-technique pass rushers in third-down nickel. Whatever the case, I think the entire defensive front will benefit from having Parsons back in the fold.

Gary from Chippewa Falls, WI

Gannon reminds me of Jim Johnson from Philly. His philosophy shows Brian Gutekunst drafted the talent but needed a no fear coach. Let it rip.

Or like Evan Williams said after the game – just a coach who says, "Eff it. I'm gonna trust my guys to make me right here." I like the Jim Johnson comparison, though. I see it.

Mike from Novato, CA

Quick observation on our defense this year. Every defensive coordinator says they're going to be "aggressive," but Gannon seems to actually back that up. Mike Pettine, Joe Barry, and to a lesser extent Jeff Hafley had a tendency to back off with big leads and try to play out the clock. Gannon keeps bringing it, and I think the players respond well to that. At some point it may cost you, but better to go down playing your game than sitting back and letting opponents dictate the pace

Gannon doesn't coach scared. He kept bringing pressure in third-and-long situations late, daring Young to make a play. The Panthers quarterback did a few times, including on the touchdown pass to Jalen Coker, but that also was Carolina's undoing in numerous situations.

Dennis from Toledo, OH

Hello II, after the personal foul involving Golden in the end zone, the TV broadcast showed an interesting interaction between the referee and Golden on his way to sideline. Golden did actually take a jab which could've resulted in an offsetting penalty. Found that to be an interesting response, considering the context of previous weeks of referees' non-judicious penalty calls. I think LaFleur may have coached him up afterwards as well.

It's rare for the perpetrator in those interactions to be the one who draws the flag. Referees often wind up catching, and flagging, the second guy. Kudos to the officials for understanding what happened and why Golden reacted like he did. Marco Wilson was in the wrong there and was penalized accordingly.

Mike from Aurora, IL

Morning. Survive and advance – especially on Thursday night games. I'm sure this is a common question but with all the running woes, do you have any inside scoop (or guesses) on why Kevin Zeitler is not suiting up?

Aaron Banks is healthy again and Green Bay clearly wants to keep both him and Tomlinson in the lineup. I will say Tomlinson has been solid, durable and dependable since he signed here. In the meantime, Zeitler just needs to keep working and be ready when his number is called.

Steven from Studio City, CA

Fact: Patrick Mahomes and Micah Parsons got injured on the same exact day and sustained the same exact injury. Mahomes participated in preseason workouts and was ready for game one of the season. He hasn't looked back. So, I know everybody is different, but what gives with Micah? I understand as an organization the Pack usually is very cautious but come on. The season is dwindling away, and it will take time for Micah to get up to speed. So, what gives?

We've gone over this topic a few times now and Rob Demovsky literally wrote an entire story on it earlier this week on ESPN.com. The trough is that way, Steve. Tell 'em Hod sent ya when you get there.

Jim from Plain, WI

Well, that was harder than it needed to be. What is missing with this team?

A combination of players and execution. The good news is the Packers are 5-3 with everything still in front of them. They need to be better in the second half, but based on recent history, I think they will be.

Mike from La La Land, WI

Still shoulda pitched Jake Misiorowski in the bottom of the 12th, even if his Game 5 start gets pushed back. Either way you get one start and one relief appearance for the remainder of the series from your best pitcher. Do you want that relief appearance in extra innings? Or Game 7 with an unknown score?

I was emotional in my response to Pat Murphy's decision not to use Miz to close out Game 4. The benefit of that 12-inning game was it wore down Tampa's bullpen even more while the Brewers' was well-rested. After seeing only one batter in Game 4, Trevor Megill was able to pitch two innings and shut the door on the Brewers' first world title.

John from Canada

Good day Wes. It wasn't pretty but it was a win. As MLF says, "lots to clean up." But also, lots to like in my opinion. At the pseudo halfway point in the season, I think the defense's identity is readily apparent, and I like it. If the Pack can get to playing complementary football, watch out. And, finally, the refs won't be the topic of conversation for the next 10 days…

And there's nobody happier about it than me. Happy Halloween, everybody.

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