Mick from UK

"I think it's time we started competing for championships, right?" Gutey Jan 2025. Just checking that everybody got the memo.

Duly noted.

Tucker from Belton, TX

I will not chortle. I will not chortle. I will not chortle.

There's no time. We're already at T-minus three days and counting to another big game.

Andy from Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Talk about a sequence – a massive punt downed inside the 10, a defensive three-and-out on the goal line, a good punt return, and the offensive drive ending with Josh Jacobs in the end zone, essentially putting the game away. Crush time, big time.

That was all three phases playing, yes, complementary football.

Devin from Kansas City, MO

This game was very satisfying to watch, especially given our record last year against division opponents. The third quarter however had me a little antsy as our offense sputtered some. But our defense stood tall and really set the tone eventually. Were either of you a little uncomfortable around that time as well?

I was never totally comfortable until the Jacobs TD referenced above, mostly due to how much I respect the Lions. But maintaining a multi-score lead for basically the last 2½ quarters of the game is no easy task against that club. I wouldn't have thought going in the Packers would be in control of the game almost from start to finish.

Sam from Ronan, MT

CBS showed the introductions, but the analysts were talking. It was evident there was a crowd pop when Micah Parsons got introduced, but what was it like seeing/hearing it in person?

It's never the same from inside the press box.

Dave from North Potomac, MD

Too bad Mike left the chat just a few seconds before No. 1 getting his first sack for the Pack. It seems fair to say Micah Parsons makes everyone else's job a little easier. Even yours today! How does that feel?

I'm sorry I bailed just a tad too early. My bad.

Michael from Grovetown, GA

Great win! The broadcast focused a lot on what Parsons was doing, and I get that. However, what was his overall impact on the game? I know he had a sack, but do you think he changed the way Detroit had to operate?

The Lions were paying a lot of attention to him when he got pressures on a couple of his early third-down snaps. They weren't entirely confident leaving Sewell one-on-one against him, and Sewell is an All-Pro. He got the pressure on the Evan Williams INT. His impact was undeniable.

Scott from West Richland, WA

Mike, I think we all saw a lot of great moments both on offense and defense, of where this team can go, while also realizing it was Week 1 and seeing many miscues. My question is, were my eyes wrong, or were the limited snaps Micah took a perfect example of why we traded for him? It wasn't just the sack he got.

Exactly. Goff looked uncomfortable most of the game, frankly, and with his eyes glancing toward Parsons on occasion.

Patrick from Boston, MA

Haven't seen the defense play like this in a long time. Detroit looked out of sync, like they were expecting to dominate. Micah Parsons is so quick, he certainly didn't look injured, just out of shape which is understandable. They double-teamed him a lot, which opens things up for other guys. They stopped the run, allowed very little YAC, they swarmed, they never let up. I hope Jeff Hafley got a game ball.

I'll be interested to see how Detroit moves forward. They've been a punch-you-in-the-mouth, bully-ball team for a few years now, but they had to revamp the interior of their offensive line (both guards and center). Can they still punch people in the mouth and bully them the same way? It didn't look like it Sunday. It's only one game, but it's something to watch.

Gardner from Circle Pines, MN

Good morning II. In my mind, the best thing about the win vs. the Lions is that the Pack stood up to the bully of the block and gave them a taste of their own medicine. That's a big change for the better! Your thoughts?

To protect Jordan Love the way the O-line did, and to stop the run the way the D-line did without Clark, against that team in particular on both counts … that speaks volumes about how the Packers have developed in the trenches. I just hope Zach Tom and Aaron Banks are OK. Darian Kinnard filled in fine and Jordan Morgan can slide into guard, but the Packers don't want to be missing their high-paid starters.

Jerry from Des Moines, IA

I think the secondary held up really well. There were a number of times Goff initially had time, but couldn't find a receiver down field. Complementary football all around. This one didn't look like preseason to me! GPG

The Packers didn't have to devote extra bodies to stopping the run, so the coverage was always there in the back end to take away the big play, forcing Goff to throw checkdowns and short stuff all day. To complete 31 passes and not get over 200 yards until after the two-minute warning at the end of the game is crazy.

Sean from Boulder, CO

I know a lot of the attention was on #0 but the two I couldn't take my eyes off were Nos. 90 and 95. If they are able to adapt to their new roles so effectively going forward, the ones we are supposed to watch will be just fine. Do you think Lukas Van Ness needs to add more weight if this is his new role or is his athleticism the focus of the switch?

Nobody wants LVN's athleticism compromised. If by switch you mean moving inside, that's situational to get three edge rushers on the field together. Devonte Wyatt finished the game really strong. He had a second sack that was wiped out by an offside on Parsons.

Jeff from Mequon, WI

Hey Mike, what more can you ask for? Immediate impact from Parsons, offense that came out and finished hot, defense that made Goff look uncomfortable all day, and maybe one of the best plays in the game came from Daniel Whelan with his massive punt that took 16 seconds off the clock at the end of the half. This was an incredibly encouraging performance, and the only negative I can find is Love making a couple questionable decisions. Other than that, mercy. Buckle up.

If we're referencing a couple questionable decisions after posting a 128.6 passer rating, I'll take that any day.

Jake from Decatur, GA

No "statement" wins in September, but for a season opener, I think, that was pretty convincing. The two things I wanted to see most were <3 dropped passes and <5 penalties. Very satisfied. If they can play like that against the Commanders, I like our chances.

Clean football never hurts the cause.

Tim from De Pere, WI

Hey Mike and Wes. This is my first time writing, but I have been a huge fan of II for several years now. To me, the most exciting thing was how many Packers made plays. They clearly came to play and executed well. This is a long season with Washington right around the corner, but starting the season 1-0 at home against the rival who beat us twice and won the division last year is a great start. Thoughts?

Love had 16 completions to 10 different players. I don't know if I've ever seen numbers quite like that before, and if the group embodies the team mentality and doesn't worry about individual stats, all the better. What I liked best is the offense couldn't do what it wanted to do early but still found success. Would you have believed me if I'd told you Josh Jacobs would have six carries for eight yards at the half and the Packers would have 17 points? Adapt, adjust, execute.

Barry from De Pere, WI

Seriously fed up with all the blue in the stadium seats. Season-ticket holders selling? It'd be sweet if the organization would cancel season tickets for those intent on peddling them on secondary markets.

Well, that's not happening. The organization is revoking season tickets for those who have sold all their games in multiple years, but it's obvious how to avoid that punishment. Seeing all that blue in the stands for a season opener in great weather makes all the constant crowing about "best fans in the NFL" ring a little hollow.

Stan from Pensacola, FL

I will let others talk about the Packers great win. I'd like to talk about AR. A really impressive performance and he shows he's still elite, maybe not as mobile but no questions about his arm and decision making. Thoughts? GPG

Rodgers played well and I'm glad to see him have success. I still worry about that O-line in front of him, though, just as I did with the Jets.

Matt from Watertown, SD

I know there's plenty of excitement about the game against the Lions. So I'll leave that for everyone else. Did you get to catch the Bills/Ravens game? Wow!

What a ballgame. Mercy.

Dale from Fenton, MI

First we have you two guys with your obscure movie and TV references, now Ed Policy comes along with Max Klinger trivia – where will it all end?!

Oh, I hope Ed's just getting started.

David from Gainesville, FL

Let me try to sneak a non-Packer question in. Is there an exemption to substitution rules on fourth down? During the Chiefs' fire drill at the end of the first half they obviously substituted, yet the ball was set quickly by the ref with no time for the defense to respond. It seems the rule should still be in place, especially in that situation.

When the offense is up against the clock to get set and get a snap off, the usual concession isn't given to the defense because otherwise it could slow-play it to run the time out. It's on the defense to be ready to react. Another rule that's suspended, so to speak, on those fire-drill field goals is the use of a K ball. The officials never swapped the ball out before Butker's kick.

Sean from Boulder, CO

To Brandon, that is not true. While Holmgren did attempt to use the plays as scripted, they in fact adjusted plays as needed if the situation called for it. They didn't call for a 15-yard out when it was third-and-goal from the 4, or run on third-and-15. Mike's explanation was pretty accurate, it gave a template for the start. Yes, they tried to stick with it to see how things worked and defenses adjusted but it's fallacy to claim they went 1-to-whatever without regard to the situation.

Thank you.

Jim from Muskego, WI

One of my favorite sports "gurus" on YouTube, or maybe it was Twitter, or X. Anyway, he said most of the NFL websites like this one that have write-in questions are fake. He indicated that most writers like you (both of you in this case) make up their own questions so they can appear smarter and feed their own egos. Is this true? It would sure explain why you never answer MY questions.

OK.

Steve from Plymouth, MA

Mike, after watching awful umpiring in a MLB game, I got to thinking about in which of the three major sports (MLB, NFL, and NBA) do the refs have the greatest influence on the outcome (I do understand their job is thankless). In the NBA, called fouls have always been seen as an issue. In MLB, called balls and strikes can directly affect how games are pitched (though this may be fixed in the near future using automated ump's). In the NFL, penalties can take points off the board. Thoughts?

There's no getting around the impact of officiating, and it'll never be perfect. In my opinion, it's on the leagues to do the best they can with current technology to get calls right, and it's on the players to play above the officiating and not let it affect their effort and focus. The rest comes out in the wash.

Jonathan from Sierra Vista, AZ

Speed kills and on full display. Question: I understand the taunting penalty on Xavier McKinney at St. Brown, but why didn't St. Brown get flagged later when he was following McKinney and barking at him after he made a catch? Thanks.

As I said in the live chat, the NFL's "points of emphasis" can look great on paper, but fair application in the real world is never that simple. The officials are caught now between upholding a point of emphasis and making a mockery of the game for throwing a flag every time somebody hollers something at an opponent.

Diane from Hot Springs Village, AR

How will you get the team ready for Thursday night's game? Awesome job today.

I'm going to make sure everyone in the digital department gets a couple good nights' sleep this week. Especially me. I'm the old guy after all.

Keith from Bakersfield, CA

Imagine how well we would've done if the starters played more in the preseason…

Thanks, I needed that.

Eric from Keene, NH

You agree, you concur, you accede, you submit, but do you abide?

I'm aware, but not on my movie list. Sorry.

John from Belleview, FL

For those interested, the smell you get after a rain is called PETRICHOR.

If you can barely smell it, is it lower case?

Alex from Bozeman, WI

One game in and we already have as many division wins as we did all of last year. So we got that going for us, which is nice.

Happy Monday.

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