Inbox: The Packers need to find it

Darren from Wakefield, MI

Thanks to the Inbox and Vic I don't get upset about losses. I'm wondering if I'm in a minority here or something where this loss is more than brushing off a Game 1 loss and nobody winning awards in September? That was also the tone last year in the II btw. This was a division game in a 17-game season where the division is usually super tight come end of the season. Curious to see how much weight the loss truly becomes. This was not the Raiders for example.

Last year's Packers-Lions series proved to be the difference between one team making the playoffs and the other staying home. Green Bay fell a step behind on Sunday. Now, it has ground to make up before the next NFC North game in Week 6.

Matt from Kula, HI

The four-minute offense – burning clock and imposing your will with a strong running game – traditionally was what championship-level teams accomplished to hold a lead and "finish." Mike Holmgren's teams in the '90s excelled at this, but I don't hear much talk about it nowadays. Shouldn't this be an emphasis to solve the perplexing trend the Packers seem to be experiencing? Does the team have the OL for this to be achieved?

The Packers were very good at running a four-minute offense during Matt LaFleur's first few seasons in Green Bay and excellent behind Josh Jacobs in 2024. So, I don't think you need to go back 30 years to find success in that area. But the same principle is in place – the need to run the ball when the defense knows it's coming. That's scheme, that's execution and that's willpower. The Packers need to find it.

RJ from Plymouth, WI

What makes a screen game so effective? I feel under Mike Sherman with Ahman Green it was quite the weapon and helped mitigate the blitz. Is there any way this could alleviate pressure if teams are going to push the blitz nonstop like the Vikings did?

I can think of one instance on Sunday when Green Bay tried to run a screen to MarShawn Lloyd, but the play got blown up from the jump and Love had to dirt the ball. It still is an option whether it's a running back or Tucker Kraft.

Brandon from Rockford, IL

Hindsight being what it is, what do the Packers do differently if the Jets game picks up where the Vikings game left off as far as O-line play goes? Jordan was ripping it pretty quick and effective those last few drives before the ball was tipped for the pick. Is the short pass game going to be the answer? Thanks, fellas, for getting me through my mornings at work every day!

Screens, misdirection, motion, more "13" personnel. There is an endless number of things you can do as an offense to counter that aggression. Kraft talked about it after the game – when the Vikings go all-out with their pressures, there are inherent holes in their secondary. The Packers must identify those opportunities and execute. They did at times against Minnesota, but not enough in the second half.

Erwin from Oklahoma City, OK

II, what are your thoughts on Lloyd and his performance? Since it was his first game in probably three years, it looked like Lloyd will be a valuable asset with more game experience. The times he carried the ball he made yards and you could see his strength, speed and suddenness. There was not a lot of room for him to run on most of his carries, but when there was a lane, he made an impression. What did your eyes see and what was your evaluation of Lloyd's performance?

Encouraging. Like LaFleur said Wednesday, I don't know if there was a large enough sample size to draw any conclusions on Lloyd or Chris Brooks. Each guy had an explosive run, but more consistency is needed from the offense. A healthy Lloyd is an explosive Lloyd. Sunday was a performance to build on.

Joe from The Villages, FL

Call me a glutton for punishment but I had to rewatch the Vikings game. With the blinders off, I saw a team that offered enough to easily win against many teams, however the O-line needs to get it together. We cannot have this bad of officiating again, can we? My question is, will we see Aaron Banks and the new RB from Iowa this week?

Banks practiced Wednesday, but the Packers are taking a wait-and-see approach. We know he was limited, but it's uncertain how many, if any, team reps he took in practice. Kaleb Johnson could be in play for Green Bay. He was up against Minnesota, but I don't know if that was the right opponent/defense to throw the new guy on the field.

Jake from Herriman, UT

A lot of people are mad at Matt for the fourth-quarter meltdown. I get it. The offensive line was the primary reason for the loss. Some of that is coaching. However, Jordan Morgan, Anthony Belton, and Banks also have not lived up (so far) to their draft/contract pedigrees. I know GMs don't pay attention to "draft experts" but both Jordan Morgan and Anthony Belton were seen as reaches when drafted. Neither has yet been able to disprove that assessment. How good can a team be when high draft picks don't play to their draft level?

I'm not trying to prove or disprove anything, Jake. The product on the field does that. All we're doing here is telling you what the Packers see and clearly, as an organization, they felt confident in the direction they were heading to stand pat on the offensive line sans adding Jager Burton through the draft. They would've made wholesale changes in the offseason if they weren't confident in the group they had (e.g. safety in 2024, receiver in 2022, outside linebacker in 2019, etc.). They're counting on a young O-line taking the next step. As disappointing as Sunday was, one game does not make a season – especially an opener. It's definitely gut-check time, but Sunday is a new day.

Jeff from Montezuma, IA

A friend commented that at least the missed extra point didn't come back to haunt us. The one thing I think people miss is if Trey Smack makes it, the controversial FG taken off the board stays and GB has a nine-point lead. Overall, Smack looked great. What have you seen since his early "struggles" in practice?

The one thing nobody ever seems to consider with practice – it's not a game. Maybe it's the wind or maybe Smack didn't hit it quite right. But there also are times when Smack is trying new things. At the end of the day, the only thing that matters is whether you can put the ball between the uprights when the lights are on and the pressure is at its peak. Smack passed his first test with flying colors inside U.S. Bank.

Matt from Gallatin, TN

I'm as disturbed as anybody else by the officiating in Sunday's game. How long do you think it takes for the NFL to decide that every penalty should be reviewable in this league?

That'll never happen. The league has shown it'd rather stick with the status quo and deal with some intermittent grumbling than do anything substantial, let alone drastic.

Tallon from Castle Rock, CO

You guys are like therapists, great job this week. You calmed some of the craziness down while also being honest about the refs. The big long-term concern is the O-line, which like Wes said is as important as having a QB. The bright side is that you get two games in five days to turn the ship really quickly. What worries you most about the Jets? Mine is the cursed MetLife Field.

I think the therapist could use a therapist. I'm happy the game is being played in September. I do not like playing on snow-covered turf. But Geno Smith is a gunslinger. The Jets will be in this thing all four quarters unless Green Bay's defense generates takeaways off that aggression. I offer no predictions about what New York's record will be this year, but I see a much more competitive roster than the one it fielded a year ago. The Jets are no cake walk, but the Packers gotta get it done.

Bob from Jensen Beach, FL

Enough angst after one loss! Jets had a decisive win over Titans and showed good defense with three sacks and multiple hurries by Cam Ward. Offense has a revived Geno Smith and young running back Breece Hall. How do we avoid what would be a truly awful loss?

Finish.

Bob from Abilene, TX

Regarding the Micah Parsons injury, both he and Patrick Mahomes sustained them on the same day (I think that is correct) and I thought they were the same injury (again I think that is correct). Why is Mahomes back on the field so much sooner than Parsons? Or were they not the same injury? Just curious because I thought Mahomes looked like his old self, which is very scary for the rest of the league. Or is this simply the Packers' nine-month process for this type injury?

Not the same injury. Parsons also had work done on his meniscus. It was just ACL and LCL for Mahomes. But yes, the nine-month protocol is there, too.

Steve from Nashville, TN

Do the referees supply the red challenge flags to each team each game, or do the teams supply their own? And do they ever clean those things? Just wondering.

I believe coaches have their own because Mike McCarthy used to have a message from his family written on his.

Jay from Lutz, FL

Guys, if we are going to have a bad season, I say make it even worse. No, I am not being obtuse, as the better draft choices and the easier schedule makes the pain of losing so much better. In other words, a so-so season of 8-9 is actually worse than going 3-14. No playoffs either way. You see my point?

You do know the Packers led until there were 6 minutes, 37 seconds left in the game, right? Terrible ending, for sure, but it's not like Green Bay walked into that stadium and got rolled. Also, the Packers don't have a first-round pick next year...so maybe sit the next couple plays out.

Craig from Subiaco, AR

Bo Melton and has been moved from the 53 to the practice squad and back again multiple times this year. Can you explain two things: How is he not getting picked up by other teams and why are the Packers moving him back and forth?

Melton is a vested veteran, which makes him unsusceptible to waivers until November (when all players are subject to waivers). That's how Green Bay landed an unretired Jared Veldheer all those years ago.

Gary from Chippewa Falls, WI

There was no mention of Edgerrin Cooper reading the sweep and blowing past the line like a rocket ship on rails.

It is tough to point to the positives when all everyone wants to talk about is the opposite, but Cooper was exceptional Sunday. We talked all offseason about the role he's set to play in Jonathan Gannon's defense, and we got a taste of it.

Scott from Manson, IA

When an eligible receiver runs directly at a defender who had established position, and initiates contact, I have never understood how this can be considered illegal contact by the defender. This is what happened when Javon Bullard was flagged. I honestly think this is something that needs to be changed or at least considered.

Maybe Spoff can correct me here, but it's my understanding that illegal contact becomes void once the eligible receiver contacts a defensive player.

Daniel from Boise, ID

Just want to make sure I got this straight. MN had two consecutive penalties of false start on a third down in the first half to set them back, resulting in a fourth down where they punted. Outside of those two penalties, MN had one other penalty the entire game. So, MN was getting their butt kicked the first 2½ quarters in the FIRST game of the season and MN played such sound technical football, blocking and tackling, that they only committed one more penalty the entire game? Really? Nope!

Correct.

Jessi from Sterling, KS

Maybe you're apologizing to the production crew when you go over on “Unscripted,” but please know you don't have to for me! I am sure most of the fans feel as I do, and we love it when you go over. Great work, Tuesday's "Unscripted" was a perfect blend of joining us, being blue in the face over officiating and knowing the Packers need to be better. Do we know who the officials are for Jets game and if they are consistent in how they call for all four quarters?

Scott Novak. His crew threw the fifth least amount of flags last year. Wanna take a guess who had the second most?

Adrian from Chula Vista, CA

If you could change one penalty, what would it be? For me, it's RTP with body weight. I understand the why (protect the money), but common sense needs to be taken into consideration. If the defensive player hits the QB as he releases the ball, it should be continuation. To expect the defender to contort his body to not land on the QB is ridiculous and could result in injury to the defender. As long as the defender is not trying to drive the QB into the ground, it should be football, not a flag.

The body weight penalty needs to go. It's been eight years and they still can't officiate it correctly.

Chance from Rochester, MN

I'd imagine II gets flooded with questions daily. How do you sift through all the questions and decide which ones you want to answer? Is there a certain criteria?

This time of the year is mostly luck. Once the regular season hits, Insider Inbox could easily be 5,000 words each day if Spoff and I weren't dragged in 250 other directions, too.

Ben from Pittsfield, MA

Not a question but saw this and felt it appropriate. "We do not heal the past by dwelling there; we heal the past by living fully in the present." – Marianne Williamson. Let's get on with it, and a win this weekend will make us all feel better.

And remembering the future.

Al from Green Bay, WI

So, the winless Packers are going on the road to play the undefeated Jets. Hmmm. Sounds like a trap game for the Jets.

We're on to the Meadowlands.

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