Jeff from Mequon, WI

Hey Wes, for the first time since Week 3, I am genuinely excited rather than nervous about this game. I know Denver not only has a great team, and it's a tough place to play, but this Packers team has finally found some rhythm with room to grow. We are an ascending team. Now how high can we go?

At least a mile.

Mike from Tama, IA

Greeting, gentlemen, more of an observation than a question. I have always loved this time of year in the NFL. Teams in contention are talking scenarios and teams out of contention talking draft. The big thing to remember is, it is all talk. The last few weeks of the season are fun because the players are playing hard and plays change in a microsecond of time. No one never knows what will happen. The big thing, play every down like it is your last, and win and go to the next game!

The Packers have to run their own race and not worry about the traffic behind them. Green Bay has made the playoffs each of the past two years but hasn't won the NFC North in four. That's the goal. Once you win the division, then you can figure out what the rest means in the conference.

Thomas from West Salem, WI

I just read the “Path to the Playoffs.” For me, I want the Lions to lose this week. It's a personal thing for me. I want them knocked out.

I get where you're coming from, but the Packers know how valuable it can be to have that first-round bye in their back pocket after playing the NFC's Super Bowl representative each of the past two years. It's time to look forward, not back. Green Bay must take care of business against a talented Denver squad and reap the benefit of Detroit knocking off L.A.

Patrick from Ashland, WI

I know it's an up-and-down, topsy-turvy league, but that picture on Path to the Playoffs was really whack.

That's also what happens when you have 17 games, 14 playoff spots and still a month left in the regular season. But the fact the Broncos and Rams are both in position to clinch a playoff spot this weekend is wild. Here's hoping for one more week until they punch their postseason ticket.

Jennifer from Middleton, WI

Hi Wes. I don't want to steal Al from Green Bay's thunder because I look forward to his reasons-to-believe submissions before gameday, but I have a related question. I don't think I've watched a Broncos game this year and much of the talk is how good they are. Are there areas of vulnerability you see where we may have an advantage, regardless of rankings? What's not showing up in the stats?

Denver's defense is brilliant but utilizes a lot of man coverage, which plays to the strength of Jordan Love and the Packers. I'm curious whether the Broncos stick with what they major in or opt for something different against GB. This game will be won and lost on third down, though. The Packers are the NFL's best on offense (50.6%) while the Broncos lead the league in third-down D (30.9%).

Rob from Prospect, KY

With the Denver altitude, do you see more frequent rotation of personnel? It seems like having a deep receiver corps is a plus for us. I would think that limiting sustained drives by Denver will be a point of emphasis. Has Denver been more of a quick-hitting offense or do they grind? Sorry for two questions.

Perhaps, depending on your personnel. It's certainly an advantage for the Broncos living and practicing at that altitude and a challenge for the opposition, especially uncommon opponents. Green Bay must take care of its bodies this week, stay hydrated on gameday and get a breath when necessary. Plus, most of this roster has played at Empower Field before. The Packers know what they're in for Sunday in Denver.

Jason from Austin, TX

According to my research (WCBW), Matt LaFleur is 1-1 against Sean Payton with the one loss being that amazing 2021 Week 1 loss when the Packers got blown out 38-3, followed by a million questions about playing or not playing starters (Rodgers) during preseason games. We proceeded to win the next seven games. Anyways, my question is, have you noticed if Sean Payton's coaching style and team identity is similar to what he set up in New Orleans?

I've watched a fair amount of Broncos games this year and it looks like pretty much the same offensive system to my novice eye. Joe Lombardi and Pete Carmichael are still Payton's top offensive lieutenants. Denver runs a fast-paced, physical offense that looks to generate big plays off attrition.

James from De Pere, WI

Not a question but a sidebar on getting used to playing at altitude. When the University of Oklahoma Sooners played in Boulder, the players were told to sleep the night before the game with their windows open. When they woke up the morning of the game, they were ready for the oxygen levels. Go Pack Go.

I don't know if that's possible at a hotel, but I believe the sports science says you need to be in that environment longer than a few days to truly acclimate. The Packers are controlling what they control, though. LaFleur said they had their performance coaches talk to the team on Wednesday.

Ray from West Des Moines, IA

I know playing at a much higher altitude is a concern, but the temperature is forecast to be 50 degrees warmer in Denver than in Green Bay. For me, the choice would be easy, I would strongly prefer to play in the warmer conditions. Do the players feel the same way?

It should be a relatively straightforward game in terms of weather and I'm sure the Packers welcome that. That should help the vertical passing game. They'll likely have two cold-weather matchups waiting for them on the other side of this thing in Chicago and here against Baltimore.

Mark from Kaukauna, WI

Why hasn't the date and time been determined for the Baltimore Ravens game yet? Way to close to the holidays and not have a date yet, what gives? Hard to plan that weekend if the NFL isn't caring about nothing but TV money and not the fans trying to plan their lives and motel stays.

We received that answer Wednesday evening, Mark. The Packers and Ravens will slug it out at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 27, at Lambeau Field. It'll be a normal seven-day week for Green Bay after the Saturday night game in Chicago while Baltimore will be making a quick turn from Sunday Night Football against the New England Patriots.

Doug from Neenah, WI

"They've got Travis Hunter. We've got Bo Melton."

And the Packers are glad to have him.

Bob from Rome, NY

Gentlemen: Any information on how much, if any, Bo Melton is splitting his time between WR and CB? Or with the DB room a little healthier is it strictly WR? Thank you.

We talked with Melton about that after the game. According to him, he splits his practice reps evenly between receiver and cornerback. That said, Melton switched back to wearing the white practice jersey reserved for the offense Wednesday. Take that for whatever it's worth.

Sarah from Newnan, GA

Why are we not utilizing Matthew Golden more?

He's hurt and still working his way back from the wrist.

Ryan from Chicago, IL

Can't wait to watch Kingsley Enagbare go to work against the Broncos' front this week. That third-down hit on Kyle Monangai in the fourth quarter was the tackle of the year so far.

It was a big stop, and the Packers will need more of them in Denver. The Broncos are still trying to figure out their rushing offense post-J.K. Dobbins and it would behoove Green Bay to force Bo Nix to play a one-dimensional game.

Tom from Saukville, WI

Will Keisean Nixon nix Nix nixt Sunday?

Even better…Nixon tricks Nix for pick six.

Al from Green Bay, WI

Wes, MarShawn Lloyd is nearing a return. Maybe this week? Maybe for the Bears rematch? Please remind us of what dimension he adds to the offense when available. Thanks!

Just watch that wheel route against Indianapolis. Lloyd has an explosive first step for a 220-pound man. Once cleared, I don't think he necessarily takes any snaps away from the Packers' top three running backs at this point of the year. I think it would be more LaFleur and the offensive coaches drawing up a few plays to utilize Lloyd's talent.

Jeff from Cedar Falls, IA

Hello II. How are the two new defensive linemen, Quinton Bohanna and Jordon Riley, progressing? Will we see them get any significant game action anytime soon? I think we are going to need them as contributors for the Packers to make a long playoff run. GPG.

Both were practicing Wednesday and continue to acclimate to Green Bay's defense. LaFleur said Monday it's going to be a competitive situation in practice determining which defensive linemen will be active on gamedays.

Richard from Greenwich, NY

Hi guys, after seeing the postgame locker room video I have to ask, who on the team is called "Bird," and why? Thanks

"Bird" is Jayden Reed. It's a nickname his late father Sabian gave him because Reed could fly around the field.

Paula from Apple Valley, MN

I understand the "can" call at the line of scrimmage is changing the play. During the Bears game, the TV analyst said that meant we were going to run the ball. Is that always the case? That seems to be a big disadvantage. Also, it seems to me that Jordan cans the play more than not. Doesn't that say something about play-calling in general?

Not at all. It actually speaks positively about the Packers' play-calling, which has a multitude of built-in RPOs (run-pass options) to give Love choices depending on how the defense aligned.

Dale from Sedona, AZ

Not a question, but Dallas for years complained about the lack of holding calls related to Micah Parsons. Now it's the Packers' turn to do so. It could be that he is so talented that the refs just don't know how to properly judge holding calls against him.

That's more or less the point I made in Tuesday's Inbox and really is what it is. Parsons gets it. What you hate to see is when a holding penalty affects the outcome of a play, though. I think of Darnell Wright grabbing Barryn Sorrell on his way to Caleb Williams, who used that extra beat to complete a pass downfield.

Bobby from Neosho, MO

There have been a lot of parallels drawn between this team and previous Packer teams that won the Super Bowl (third-year starting QB, 27 years old, etc.). Here is another one (sorta). The 2010 team never trailed by more than a one-possession score. This year's defense has only spent 59 seconds on the field while trailing by more than one possession. The three drives the offense has had when trailing by two scores resulted in FG, missed FG, TD.

It's a good observation. What's more, the defense has had the benefit of playing with a lead during most of this four-game win streak. That's a massive advantage for any defense and allows Jeff Hafley to tweak his schematic arithmetic.

Jim from Prairie du Chien, WI

Good morning all! Jaquan Brisker spoke about the fans and players being quieter than usual in the Bear game. What was your perspective on crowd noise from the booth? I know section 120 "brought the noise." I went to sleep with ringing ears from the constant noise from the row behind me. GPG!

Brisker must not have been listening when Wright's hold of Parsons ran on repeat on the Lambeau Field videoboards. I completely disagree with Brisker. I thought the Lambeau crowd was great on Sunday, one of the best all season.

Steve from Cedar Falls, IA

With Philip Rivers returning to the NFL with the Colts, one has to wonder if the phone was ringing in Green Bay asking about Malik Willis.

We're past the trading deadline now. The Colts' only options were to sign a "street" free agent, pull a player from another team's practice squad or coax someone out of retirement like they did with Rivers.

Thomas from Oviedo, FL

There's are a couple "trap games" coming up this weekend. The Bears are upset about their last game and looking forward to the next game. Browns win. Also, the Seahawks will be upset by ole man Rivers.

The Colts haven't named a starting QB yet, though Riley Leonard (knee) is practicing this week. As far as the Browns are concerned, here's hoping Myles Garrett finds his way to Caleb Williams, and Shedeur Sanders can keep rolling after an eye-opening performance vs. Tennessee.

Josh from Seattle, WA

Are you curious to see if Collin Oliver gets activated and gets to make a role in an odd front alongside Parsons?

We'll have to see. A few years back, the Packers opened the 21-day windows on Patrick Taylor and Jonathan Ford to get them practice time but didn't activate them to the 53.

Michael from Chewelah, WA

In a billion-dollar business, you get fined for throwing a $100 football into the stands. Why are they so cheap that they won't allow them into the stands?

It's a safety issue. The NFL doesn't want to get sued.

Nick from Springfield, MO

We did it, folks! "The Dan Patrick Show" was discussing the merits of laser goal posts today. Only a matter of time...

One small step for Inbox, One Lambeau Leap for football.

Austin from Appleton, WI

I agree with Spoff that 11 wins puts this team in the playoffs, but the mentality in the locker room must be that 12 wins gets them a home playoff game. They need three of the next four. Mile High goals.

And Mile High stakes.

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