Inbox: There are others on the rise as well

Dwight from Brooklyn, NY

What's the weather prediction for Sunday?

Sunny and 40s. Should be nice and crisp, a perfect mid-November day for football.

Brian from Charlottesville, VA

Wes mentioned Kirk Cousins' record at Lambeau. Seems like he gets his 400-plus yards passing no matter what, but the number of interceptions is the backbreaker. Is the key bringing the pressure to force ill-advised quick decisions or adjusting the coverage so McKinney can sneak in out of nowhere?

Gannon's defense is predicated on unpredictable rush patterns and disguised coverages. I don't see him doing anything different just for Cousins. He's going to continue to mix things up and see if he can disrupt him both pre- and post-snap. This isn't the same Packers defense Cousins has faced numerous times.

Lawrence from Missoula, MT

How similar is the Vikings' offense to a few years ago, when Cousins played for them? If it is different, as the new guy will he have a limited playbook this week?

That's not quite the right question. It's how much of his old Cousins playbook can Kevin O'Connell dust off on short notice? I'm guessing plenty given Cousins' familiarity with the main targets (JJ, JA, TJH).

Max from Germany

Dear II, in his article about LB Niemann, Wes wrote, "Niemann even took over the communication headset from Isaiah McDuffie for a few moments." Can you explain how that works on such short notice? How many green-dot helmets have to be prepared on the sideline during the game?

There are usually at least two additional players who have a spare helmet wired with the speaker, so if the defense has to switch green-dot players, it's just a matter of a player swapping helmets on the sideline.

Ray from Clark, NJ

Mike, if the trade deadline was a week sooner, do you think the Vikings trade for Cousins prior to the Carson Wentz (8.9 rating) disaster Monday night? Game Monday, trade deadline Tuesday, timing is everything?

Indeed, and the trade deadline used to be a week earlier. I don't think they make the move at 6-1 with Wentz waiting in the wings.

Jeff from Foothill Ranch, CA

Hi Wes and Mike. I was wondering if you could speak to leaguewide trade deadline activity the last few years. It seems not long ago, most didn't even know in-season trades happened in the NFL or that there was even a deadline. It seems like it's becoming an MLB-like occurrence, not just with activity, but big-name activity. How has it changed during your time on the beat?

The deadline has definitely become more active in recent years. By moving it back, there's more time for teams to decide whether they feel they're contenders or better off beginning to retool or just clear some cap space by moving veteran contracts.

Joe from Liberty Township, OH

The recent question/response about Packers QBs winning at various visitors' stadiums didn't mention Pittsburgh. Until Jordan Love won there last year the last Packers QB to win at Pittsburgh was Bart Starr in 1970. Dickey, Majik, Favre and Rodgers never won a game in Pittsburgh as the Packers QB. One more FYI. Terry Bradshaw was a rookie in 1970.

Ah yes, I remember writing about that now. Weirdly, Favre and Rodgers only played one game each in Pittsburgh as Packers QB, and Rodgers lost by one point on the last play of the game.

Tallon from Castle Rock, CO

When you think of Packers Vikings at Lambeau, where does your mind go first? Antonio Freeman was great, but I'll always remember the time Jaire locked up Jefferson and let him know all day.

Favre's two visits in '09 and '10.

Tom from Bend, OR

Does Jordan's stat of quickest release time have anything to do with the speed of Christian Watson and Matthew Golden, and their ability to create separation?

Some, but it has more to do with the pressure Love was under in the first handful of games and how the passing game was adjusted to get the ball out faster.

Alan from Fresno, CA

Wes made me laugh when he said the Pack should establish a run game against the Vikings. Oh wait, he was serious. Much has been said in the space over the years of finding out who you are as a team. This year we are a pass-first team. Why not build on that? We have the WRs and TE to do so. I believe in MLF to put together a game plan that can accomplish that. I am obviously not a coach, but why not be who you are?

There's a lot to be said for that, but I think what Wes was getting at is it's a lot harder to win one-dimensionally against the league's better defenses. The Packers don't have to rush for 150 yards against the Vikings, but the ground game has to be functional to prevent Minnesota's defense from dictating the game.

Randal from Suamico, WI

When will we know who starts at left guard against the Vikings?

Probably during warmups on Sunday.

Tom from Santa Paula, CA

Greeting II, the Vikings' D is suffocating. The Bills ran the ball 41 times and were mostly ineffective, until the massive time of possession differential wore the D down. It was a game of attrition. Perhaps Love, Golden and Watson can score a few quick ones, or our D gives the O some short fields, but if not, we'll need to wear down their D in a long slog. I don't think we'll need a lot of points, but we'll need to stick to the run game, even if ineffective for a long while, to win. Sound right?

If the Packers can build a lead and run the ball in the fourth quarter to win, great. But as far as short fields, my focus is on the Packers not giving the Vikings any. Their comeback in Week 1 started with a long kickoff return to the GB 28, and then two late TD drives covered 15 yards thanks to turnovers deep in GB territory. That's a total of 43 yards for 21 of their 39 points. Make them go the long way.

H.R. from Henderson, NV

Second time asking this question this week: Where is MarShawn Lloyd? He didn't play Sunday, there are no reports of him being injured, and all II has talked about with RBs this week are the quartet of Jacobs, Johnson, Strong, and Brooks. Has Lloyd simply become the odd-man-out due to his injury history and lack of production? He isn't on the injury report, so he can't be hurt, right? Is this a sign that his time in GB might be over? Inquiring minds want to know.

Lloyd cropped up on the injury report last Thursday (knee) and was declared inactive for the Patriots game 90 minutes before kickoff. He is not on this week's injury report, but based on last week's game, I believe Kaleb Johnson has overtaken him on the depth chart, and Brooks' pending return puts him in line to get snaps as well.

Scott from Sheboygan, WI

I couldn't agree more with Mike's comment in his Mid-Week Chat about one of the things that helped the run game in New England being Kaleb's running – "No dancing around, he just attacked." Running with an attitude doesn't solve everything, but it has to benefit the OL when they don't have to sustain a block any longer than necessary. Who knows, maybe running with an attitude might even lead to linemen blocking with an attitude?

I look at it like this: The Packers' biggest problem with the ground game has been negative runs. If the back is attacking the LOS rather than trying to find a hole, it helps eliminate negative runs. If the hole is there, yardage will be gained. If not, yardage won't be lost.

Tommy from Washburn, WI

Glad to see Skyy Moore back at practice alongside Chris Brooks. Not glad to see Trey Smack's name pop up in the injury report. Any insider info you can share?

LaFleur said Smack kicked fine in practice on Wednesday.

Bryce from Middleton, FL

Do you think the thought of the possibility of the Packers' offense figuring out how to run the ball more effectively keeps opposing D coordinators up at night?

Opponents will concern themselves with that when the Packers prove they can do it. They've got their minds occupied with all the explosive plays in the passing game. The way the Packers move the ball, games will come down to the red zone. Since the frustrating 1-for-4 in the RZ led to the loss at Detroit, the Packers are 7-for-8. The Vikings are the best RZ defense in the league by a wide margin. The condensed part of the field will decide things.

Christian from Park Falls, WI

Packers are going to have to come up with a run game against Minnesota. I feel like Jordan's long ball will be very successful against Flores' heavy pressure just like it was in Week 1 before all hell went loose.

I doubt the Vikings will play as much man coverage as the Patriots did. If they man up, challenge them. If they drop into zone, take what's there.

John from Columbia, TN

Is it true that a couple years ago many were complaining about Love not being able to throw a deep ball?

Very.

Randy from Pineville, NC

I would think the way Jordan Love has handled the blitz, it might slow down the Vikings' pass rush a bit. Especially since they have never seen an explosive passing game as the Packers have right now. They might see the need to keep their defensive backs and safeties in coverage.

As I laid out in my matchup story, the Vikings have seen the Packers' explosive passing game, back in Week 1. Minnesota has allowed 16 pass completions of 20-plus yards through eight games, and the Packers had seven of those in the opener. But I don't see Flores hesitating. He stayed aggressive and lived with the results until the dam finally broke. I'll be shocked if he changes course.

Matt from Sioux Falls, SD

I felt Hafley had a better first year than a second year with Micah Parsons. His first he was really creative with sending pressure, kind of like Gannon is now. But when we got Micah that seemed to stop and we got too Micah reliant. Will Gannon keep sending the dogs plus let Micah do his thing? If he does this defense will be scarier for the QBs.

The last thing I'll be expecting Gannon to be is passive, Micah or no Micah.

Mark from Barada, NE

The blitzing sequences being dialed up appear frenetic. I keep thinking our fellas got to be gassed. Is the condition of these guys that much better than other defenses in the league? I get out of breath watching them fly around with their hair on fire and know fatigue impacts the mental aspect of the game as well. Why do you think more teams don't coach this free-wheeling, hard-charging, exciting style of defense?

Because you must have players smart enough to constantly adjust on the fly to take on other responsibilities, and in particular coverage players who can handle compromising positions that make their job a lot harder. A defense without that can't go blitz-crazy or it'll get torched.

Cosimo from Winona, MN

The Packers clearly value Zaire Franklin's leadership, but, before exiting vs. the Patriots it seemed Hopper was coming on and may have a brighter upside. What do you think the linebacker snap counts will look like if McDuffie, Franklin, and Hopper are all healthy?

My best guess is Franklin plays full time while McDuffie and Hopper share Cooper's role situationally.

Roxanne from Helena, MT

What happened to the Chargers?

No idea. Haven't watched a single one of their games. But to see they have eight losses while the entire NFC North has nine is mind-boggling.

Keith from Menasha, WI

Do you believe that there's a strong chance that the Packers have to win their remaining three division games in order to make the playoffs (primarily due to the strong records in their division)?

Not necessarily. I don't think they can lose all three, but as I've said repeatedly, any realistic chance of winning the division starts with winning this game. Dropping to 6-4 right now in this division would put the Packers in wild card or bust territory, in my opinion.

Joe from Plano, IL

Last season, the Packers picked up a big road win in Pittsburgh, with Jordan Love receiving MVP buzz. The team then lost at home to Carolina. What can the team do to avoid a similar outcome this weekend after a big road win?

Protect the ball and finish drives. In that Carolina game last year, which the Panthers won on a walk-off kick, the Packers turned it over twice and went 1-for-5 in the red zone. Good luck beating anybody that way.

Steve from UK

One thing that stands out about this Packers team is the amount of young talent coming through. Which of the younger players do you think has the potential to become a real star in Green Bay over the next couple of seasons, and why?

I'm focused on the young stars we're seeing emerge now. Matthew Golden on offense and Evan Williams and Brandon Cisse on defense are the first ones who come to mind. Edgerrin Cooper was on his way before getting hurt. There are others on the rise as well, but I'll need to see more before anointing anyone else an emerging star.

Collin from Brookland, AR

Were we right to start the Jordan Love MVP conversation last week? I think it may have worked. On the other hand, the media darling Caleb Williams threw four picks but stole some of the spotlight with another game-winning drive. I can't wait for Christmas.

Just beat the Vikings. Happy Friday.