Inbox: They know what must be done

Jeffrey from Eveleth, MN

Well Weston, it's Minnesota's deer season opener this weekend. I'll take a Packers victory even if it means a 10-pointer shows up on my trail cam while I'm on the couch watching the game.

The deer can wait, my friend. There's winning to be done.

James from Appleton, WI

It sure is good to see Chris Brooks on track to come back. I mistakenly thought he was down for the season. I never thought he was going to run for 1,000 yards, but I did think he was going to get more playing time based on his blocking and ability to convert on short-yardage. Now, however, would a healthy Brooks immediately become RB2?

The underrated part of getting Brooks back is might allow the Packers to reintroduce their two-RB packages, which have been a staple for years in Green Bay. Underneath all the hats that Brooks wears, what's often overlooked is he's been a solid lead blocker for Josh Jacobs at times and that's a presence the offense has missed since Josiah Deguara departed. Brooks may not always be the one touching the football, but the Packers are better when he's out there. He's an underrated part of this whole thing.

Jeff from Waterford, WI

Do you think the Packers can get a running game going with the talent we have at the O-line?

I do. The Packers were respectable, though unremarkable, running the ball behind makeshift offensive lines during Aaron Jones' first two years in Green Bay, finishing 17th and 22nd in rushing back in 2017-18. They have pieces but need to get the formula right.

John from Stevens Point, WI

Who will rise up and be a difference maker for the Packers this week? I'm betting on Lukas Van Ness.

That's a good pick. Van Ness leads the defense with 11 quarterback hits and 4 ½ sacks – both career highs – and is coming off a strong performance against Carolina. The Packers need to keep tabs on Drake Maye Sunday, and it starts with a disciplined pass rush. They know what must be done.

Jeff from Hastings, MN

My question is about third-down execution. Is it me, or on third-and-5, do the Packers more often throw a low-percentage deep pass instead of a 5-10 yard play? I am sure MLF has plays to get those yards. Is this more on Jordan Love situational awareness or MLF's play calling? Thanks for everything you guys do.

I think a major misconception of the Packers' play-calling is that they're constantly looking for an explosive play in third-down situations. Yes, Green Bay may have a few more downfield concepts in its playbook than the average team, but there are progressions to every call, and those deep balls often are only exercised as a final option to win the down.

John from Columbia, TN

Insiders, I always enjoy it when you explain the strengths of the opposing QBs and how to beat them (e.g. keep Maye in the pocket). If you were writing about Jordan Love, what would you say? What are his best strengths and how do you beat him?

Before this year, I would have said stopping and blitzing Love, but he's evolved his game and played well in the face of both scenarios this season. The biggest key to beating Green Bay is probably building a lead and forcing Love into "get-back-on-track" situations. There's where defenses have turned the Packers over this season.

Jackie from New Freedom, PA

When will Micah Parsons actually be back to play?

If everything goes according to plan, Parsons' 21-day practice window closes on Thanksgiving Eve in Los Angeles.

Duane from Oak Creek, WI

How do you think Parsons looks entering his comeback period?

Like a beast awoken. I make no predictions about Parsons' production, but his internal fire burns as brightly as it ever has. He's ready to give Green Bay everything he's got.

Jessi from Sterling, KS

Exciting to see Mike Holmgren on the finalists list! But that list to beat out is daunting due to you know who. Is this his last shot for Canton?

Hopefully not, but it bears repeating – Mike Holmgren should already be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He should've been elected two years ago if not for some asinine changes to the selection rules that prevented both him and Bill Belchick from making it. Belichick is the favorite, but I'm hoping voters remember the wrong that must be righted with the 78-year-old Holmgren. Plus, if not for another rule change, Belichick shouldn't even be eligible for Canton for two more years.

Ray from Phoenix, AZ

Gute has picked up three O-linemen to try and fix the run game, but no real results yet. Being last in running after eight weeks tells me we are still broken and more moves need to be made. We need a back that can speed through any small opening, and Jacobs is not that kind of back. If we cannot afford Jonathon Taylor, what are your thoughts on going after Tony Pollard?

I'm not playing this game. I cover whoever is on the team. Brian Gutekunst felt the need to acquire Laken Tomlinson, Kaleb Johnson, Mekhi Becton Sr. and Kevin Zeitler. If the Packers feel they still need help, I'm sure Gutekunst will do what it takes to provide such relief. Until then, yeah…

Mark from Winona, MN

Loved your response to Richard in regards to Vikings winning Super Bowl. As a lifetime Packers fan with a lifetime Vikings fan wife, I've been asked about this numerous times, my response has never wavered. "If the Vikings were representing Earth in the Universe Bowl I'd have to root for Venus" GPG!

Guessing Richard is among the few Packers fans who wanted the Lions to win it all a few years ago because they were bad for so long. Not a shot. Feel no sympathy for injured rattlesnakes. They'd still bite you if given the chance.

Kerry from Lakewood Ranch, FL

How can Richard from Madison not be put in the penalty box for the rest of the season?

We don't have one anymore. The organization needed space for the new media bathrooms.

Jim from St Pete Beach, FL

Wes, with the NFL expanding international games, interplanetary games can't be far behind. Since Venus is the only planet that rotates in the opposite direction of Earth, when the Packers play there, the refs will be held accountable. So future fans have that going for them…which is nice.

Will the NFL plop those in the middle of our bye week, too?

Joe from Dells, WI

I know that Jesus teaches us to "love your neighbor as yourself," but hoping to see the Vikings in the Super Bowl? That's a step too far.

You can love thy neighbor while rooting for their downfall. I do it with my buddy Dave in fantasy football every week.

Jim from Escanaba, MI

Steve from Ellison Bay got me thinking about the trilogy of Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers and Love. Their elite arm talent is what separates them from most QBs. I can't help thinking they also learned from each other. Favre was wildly prone to INTs and Rodgers made protecting the ball a priority. Rodgers used the media to call out coaches and players publicly while, as Steve pointed out, Love seems to protect them and assumes most of the criticism publicly.

I have a lot of appreciation for Aaron Rodgers, but I've always felt Love was the right quarterback at the right time for this football team. What's cool for Packers fans is you've been treated to some amazing football for the past 30 years and hopefully many more to come.

Yotam from New Zealand

I managed to see a few Jaguars games recently and the progress Trevor Lawrence made these last few years is amazing. I feel this would probably have been JL's trajectory had he not sat behind Rodgers for three years. It proves again the importance of patience in player development, especially the QB position.

Spoff made an excellent point Friday regarding the importance of getting the coach-quarterback combination right. The Packers are a good example of it with LaFleur developing Love and then growing the offense with him, but the Jaguars' turnaround really proves it. Lawrence rode an early rollercoaster but looks comfortable in Liam Coen's scheme. Credit James Gladstone for giving Coen and Lawrence skill talent to work with, too. The Jaguars are a fun squad.

Joe from Bozeman, MT

We II contributors are constantly admonished for asking questions about opponents scheduled multiple weeks ahead of the impending game. Then here comes Wes talking about Jordan Love possibly setting all kinds of team records. Just let him beat the Patriots, Wes.

I think you missed the forest for the coconut on that one. There's a Mississippi River-sized difference between pointing out the pace a player is on through the first half of a season and opining on how the Packers will block Aaron Donald and Myles Garrett three weeks from now.

Ben from Cripple Creek, CO

Maybe Simmons does move the needle completely, but I'm still not sold on the Bears having a "good defense." True, they can only play who they're playing, but situationally, they've only looked good on defense against teams in not so good offensive situations. Their secondary, while having a couple big names, is not frightening at all. Maybe that's just a Packers fan burying his head in the sand though.

It's the same scenario as when Chicago traded for Khalil Mack in 2018. It's a good defense, adding a great player in hopes of winning a championship. But I've seen enough of Ben Johnson's Bears to know this truth: It's all about ball control. Defensively, there's a reason Chicago is seventh in total yards but 31st in yards per play, third against the run but 22nd in rushing yards per carry and 14th in pass defense but 31st in passing. When the Bears control the football and win time of possession, they win. When they don't, results may vary.

Chase from Diamond Springs, CA

The assumption is this team can't keep winning the way they are, but is it not possible that they do? I think it's more likely we follow a 2010 trajectory by discovering a run game late season, but if the defense continues to ascend, why not? I guess the hypothesis will be tested over the next month.

Yes and no. The Packers are creative and talented. They are going to win their fair share of games because of that. At some point, losses don't end your season right now. To survive in the postseason, Green Bay must develop a suitable run game to balance out a formidable passing game. But there's no doubt in my mind the Packers can win 10-plus games doing what they've done the first two months.

Tom from Wellington, FL

I take great umbrage at Reed's assertion that Jordan and Ronika were wearing blind ref costumes. They were quite clearly wearing Foot Locker employee uniforms.

Precisely. Ronika even confirmed it on TikTok. That's as good as Encyclopedia Brittanica these days.

Jeremy from Redding, CA

So, all I need to do to get the league to acknowledge the poor officiating is to invent a supersonic jet the size of a football field with a glass roof that will travel west fast enough to give the illusion of the sun rising in the west and setting in the east. I think I will just stick to my laser goal post prototyping. Now I just need to train them to intercept drones (not Kyron, the flying ones).

I don't think I scored high enough on the science portion of the ACT to fully comprehend your submission, but I appreciate it all the same.

Josh from Nicaragua

Wes, just when I thought I was out, you pull me back in! I've always hated punk music, so the Rise Against love was lost on me. But Slipknot? Really, Slipknot!? I would have never pinned you as a fellow maggot. Any chance we can see you in one of their masks for next Halloween's edition of "Unscripted"?

I have a very eclectic taste in music. I'll listen to pretty much anything besides traditional country. While I appreciate Slipknot, I'm an even bigger fan of Corey Taylor. He's one of the most impressive all-around musicians of my lifetime.

Thomas from Edgewood, NM

I am truly impressed with Mr. Spofford! A true inspiration with his reference to my two favorite old guys on "The Muppet Show," Statler and Waldorf. Was not expecting that, but it did provide comic relief! Thanks Mike! GPG and just beat the Pats!

Mike is good for a sly Statler and Waldorf reference a time or two each season. The guy should have his own Muppet.

Al from Green Bay, WI

5-3 vs. 5-3. On the road against the AFC champ. It's a great opportunity for the Packers to take the next step. Reasons to believe: 1) Rest matters at this point in the season, and the Pack had a mini-bye. 2) Health matters, and for the first time this season, the Pack may be healthier than their opponents. 3) Experience matters at the QB position. While Drake Maye is ascending, Love has been there and done that. 4) JG has this D humming at every level. 5) GB just has more weapons! GPG!

It's a great test for Green Bay but also an excellent opportunity to turn up the dial entering the second half of the season. The Patriots are banged up, but that's still a good football team and excellent coaching staff. I can't wait to watch it. Enjoy the game, folks.

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