Tyler from Cornell, WI

I love the post-game camera of the players coming in from the field. A lot of "1-0s." The message seems to be sinking in. We know Matt LaFleur preaches it, but it's nice to see it really becoming the marching orders. One game at a time!

All you can do is win the game directly in front of you. It's a lesson I learned well while losing a lot as a youth.

Jeff from Foothill Ranch, CA

Hi Wes, I just want to say thank you to Jessica from Tucson for her submission. I love stories like that about players that help "humanize" the game and remind us that these are real people doing real things off the field. I hope at the very least he has earned himself another opportunity somewhere with his performance.

Of course. I mean, how could an Inbox reader NOT have a direct tie to Lucas Havrisik's substitute teaching days in Arizona? Then you throw in the fact that Havrisik's mom and Matt Orzech's dad randomly worked together? They're the stories that make this game special.

Donald from United States

Will we keep the kicker around somehow? Or did he just have a great audition?

It was the best tryout a kicker could hope for, which should keep Havrisik out of the classroom and back on the NFL radar. The Packers were fortunate enough to have two spots open on the active roster, so adding Havrisik for a "spot" start wasn't a big lift. Now we just wait and see when Brandon McManus might be back. But the room is there on the roster if Green Bay needs Havrisik again in Arizona.

Don from Boise, ID

That third TD was one of the best YAC I have seen. Timely and made a statement. Is it too soon to nickname Tucker Kraft "The Bulldozer"?

The touchdown was nice. Don't get me wrong. But Kraft's 24-yard catch down the seam might be my favorite catch of his season. That's where the Packers wanted to see Kraft grow this year and it's happening. He now leads Green Bay with 18 catches for 268 yards (14.9 yards per catch) and three TDs. The Packers have a burgeoning star on their hands at tight end.

Chris from Anchorage, AK

Talk to us about the progression of Matthew Golden. What stands out to you?

His hands and spatial awareness. He has those elite traits like a Ja'Marr Chase where there looks to be a magnetic pull between the football and Golden's body. His 35-yard catch was elite, and he showed his maturation on the 31-yard crosser that factored heavily in the Packers' win.

Richard from Telford, TN

Do you think Brian Gutekunst gets overlooked as a GM? Not only has he had three consecutive stellar draft classes, but he delved into FA and trades like no other Packers GM; acquiring Xavier McKinney, Josh Jacobs, Micah Parsons, Keisean Nixon, Malik Willis, Matt Orzech, Daniel Whelan, Brandon McManus, and now Lucas Havrisik. Many of whom are great locker room leaders and brought home a win their first week on the team.

He's the most underrated GM in the league. Wanna know why? Because, like his predecessor, Gutekunst simply does the job. You know what else he's really good at…listening to his scouts when it comes to finding those diamonds in the rough such as Willis, Chris Brooks and Havrisik. There's no ego in that room. Every decision is made to help the Packers.

Marc from Califon, NJ

Hi gents, I know that Chase had 10 receptions, but I thought Nixon played a heck of a game. Hard-nosed and always there. I only watched the highlights. I don't have the same view as you guys. Thoughts? Thanks!

Nixon backs down from no man, is durable as hell and maintains a short memory. You can win with guys like that.

Jeff from Ogden, UT

In defense of our defense, Joe Flacco understood something that his predecessor did not. Chase is always open, and when he's not open, he's still open. I'm not sure any defense, including ours, can cover that guy.

Exactly. Chase is one of those rare wideouts who just needs the ball thrown in his area code to make a play. His 19-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter left me speechless.

Tom from Nolanville, TX

Holy Guacamole! So much wailing and gnashing of teeth over the game. You'd think the Packers had lost. Three wins at home by the scores of 27-13, 27-18 and 27-18. Joe Flacco is a savvy QB, just like Aaron Rodgers (who's having Pro Bowl season). You just can't write off experience, which is what our rookies and second-year players are getting now. The Cardinals are going to give the Packers all they can handle this Sunday. Should be a lot of loud Packers fans there.

I tip my reporter's fedora to Flacco. He knows who he is as a 40-year-old quarterback and doesn't venture out of that boundary. Flacco got the ball out quickly to his playmakers' hands. The decision to bring him to Cincy will make that offense better in the long run.

Ron from Spooner, WI

If an injured Kyler Murray can't go for the Cardinals, do you see them trading for Flacco to start against the Packers this Sunday?

Well done.

Zion from Mount Horeb, WI

What do we have to do to get our defense rolling again?

Get takeaways and finish in the fourth quarter. All the better if they can do both at the same time.

Gary from Denver, CO

I see Za'Darius Smith just retired. I really enjoyed not only his on-field performance but infectious personality while he was a Packer. Any special stories you have from his time here?

It'll always be the Smith Bros. media scrums. I was there for the first one in Chicago back in 2019 and the last in 2021.

Jimmy from Rockford, IL

I know there's holding on every play, but there were at least three times I thought I saw Micah Parsons get tackled rushing the quarterback. Wondering if either of you saw the same.

There were at least two instances where I felt like the Bengals could've been flagged for holding Parsons, but it went uncalled. Matt LaFleur addressed it Monday, acknowledging how frustrating it can be for Parsons. It's something the Packers may need to bring up with the NFL. Meanwhile, Parsons can only worry about staying the course and doing his job.

Steve from Ankeny, IA

Regarding our defense falling off in the second half of games, I'm wondering if part of the issue is that we don't have a true nose tackle. Our defensive ends are responsible for a lot trying to rush the passer and also assist on runs up the middle. Are we just getting tired?

First, I'd implore you to read Spoff’s story from LaFleur’s Monday news conference. The Packers understand the need to close out games. At the same time – and you can call this a glass-half-full mindset – the Packers are now operating without both Kenny Clark and Devonte Wyatt. Yet, they still boast the NFL's top-ranked run defense (73.0 yards per game) and No. 5 total defense (280.2 ypg). Yes, there's plenty Green Bay needs to work on, but there's plenty to like, too. The defense has a need for improvement, not reclamation.

Gary from Denver, CO

Jordan Love spoke of how nice it was to have the preferred starters back on the OL. How many snaps did Aaron Banks and Zach Tom play? Did you notice any issues or was Josh Jacobs' performance all we needed to know about how the OL did?

To me, the offensive line got back to being the hammer. As Jacobs talked about after the game, his 14-yard TD run was as well-blocked of an inside-zone run as you'll ever see. Jordan Morgan had remarkable finish on that play, too. It was a very promising performance all-around.

Aaron from Tucson, AZ

Good morning, II! No question, just a comment about Jordan Love. He looks more and more like an elite QB every week. I've seen some absurd comments about his play, such as benching him for a mistake. The fact is, not only is he playing like a top five QB already, but he's only getting better! Some of his throws are mind-blowing (see the Golden throw along the sideline Sunday). He's completing more than 70% of his passes, is top 10 in QBR, top five in passer rating, and has elite belief in his abilities. MVP!

I get the adage QBs get too much credit when their teams win and too much criticism when they lose. In Love's case, it seems he's missing out on the former and getting too much of the latter. The guy doesn't get nearly the amount of, um, love he deserves for his play. He's still making big plays downfield this season while doing so with more accuracy and fewer turnovers. Before anyone throws out that garbage about Love's contract, go watch Tua in Miami right now, Lawrence in Jacksonville or all the franchise QBs. Meanwhile, Joe Burrow, Brock Purdy and Lamar Jackson are all on the shelf. The Packers are fortunate to have Love as QB1 and that locker room knows it.

Jay from Lutz, FL

Guys, mark my words, Savion Williams will have a TD on a kick return. My question is why did it take so long to put him in there?

Because the Packers only drafted him in April? Williams has been back there all season. He and Bo Melton make for an interesting combo. Both had solid returns that set the table for scoring drives.

Julian from Gastonia, NC

My concern about the games at Arizona and Pittsburgh is a very simple one. Green Bay is 1-5-1 in their last seven road games. I'm hoping that the tie at Dallas was a step in the right direction and that they will gain the confidence to start winning more of these road games.

I couldn't care less about last season at this point, but I'm with you about the 0-1-1 road start being troublesome. The Packers need to get one on the board this Sunday in Arizona. It won't get any easier in Pittsburgh, especially with how well Rodgers is playing.

Eric from North Bend, WA

Is the Bears game the most anticipated game of the year?

Honestly, I'm not sure if it's my top five.

Caleb from Knoxville, TN

Are the Jets just cursed? No matter the QB, no matter the coach, no matter the front office, things always seem to end in disaster for them.

I'm a firm believer teams make their own fortune…or in this case, misfortune.

Jon from United Kingdom

Dear NFL, please never send the Jets over here again. Thanks, The International Community.

I've struggled with the idea that the best way to promote the game internationally is to book marquee matchups such as Minnesota vs. Cleveland and Denver vs. the New York Jets.

Darryl from Houston, TX

Longtime reader – since the early Vic days; you two have done a fantastic job of handling and enhancing that legacy. NFL scorigami tidbit: Three games in NFL history have ended 27-18 and all three have involved Green Bay (Week 2 loss in Buffalo in 2000; Week 2 and 6 wins over Washington and Cincinnati in 2025).

It's not only a small world. It's a crazy one, too.

Derek from Maple Grove, MN

A little perspective for everyone. As I was watching the game, my thought was that the team did what it needed to do to win, looked like it was more consistent than it had been, but still had room to grow. Then, the standings tell me we are leading the division and second place in the conference. If you had told me that's where we would be prior to Week 1 I would have said: "That sounds about right." This team is what we expected and still can be everything we hope for!

And as long as it stays healthy, this team's best is out there.

Rich from Sierra Vista, AZ

Mike and Wes…will either or both of you be at Packers Everywhere this coming Saturday in Scottsdale? Also, I expect it to be crowded as so many of us transplanted Wisconsinites (me because of the military) and other great Packer Backers will likely show up. So, when is a good time to get there to ensure we can beat the crowd and get in? As always, Go Pack Go.

According to the press release, we are scheduled to be there. I don't really have a good answer for you on when to get to the pep rally – they're all different – but pre-rally festivities and prizing beings at 4 p.m. local.

Gregory from Myrtle Beach, SC

So early in the season and I guess the tie game is already important in the standings. What say you guys?

Sometimes you gotta kiss your sister.

Shannon from Ovilla, TX

The Packers' defense in the first halves of games has been elite but the second half defense has been meh. Why are they struggling in the second half so much? Also, do we need to chip in to send you to more Brewers games Wes?

That's what Green Bay is trying to put a finger on, Shannon. And yes, I'm good for a Brewers win every six, seven years.

Gregg from Arlington Heights, IL

You can count this Cubs fan as all-in. But Robin Yount and Paul Molitor are two of my all-time favorite ballplayers, so I am always ready to jump on the Brewer bandwagon. And Bob Uecker? I hope all Brewer fans realize how fortunate they were to have the one and only Uecker be part of their lives.

It's well-documented how long it had been since I attended a Brewers game prior to Saturday. But this middle-aged man was hit with a huge wave of nostalgia watching Molitor throw out the first pitch. It got the juices flowing again. Hopefully, the Magic Brew can come through. Have a great week, everyone.

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