Smuck from River Falls, WI

Is it just me, or was that one of the most fun Packers defenses to watch in years?

This Packers defense hunts you from every direction. I don't think I've ever seen a Green Bay front produce as many free rushers to the quarterback as this 2026 squad has done through six games. Zaire Franklin, Xavier McKinney, Isaiah McDuffie and Evan Williams all came untouched through the offensive line at various points Sunday. The Packers also have tackled well on the perimeter, get hats to the ball and pressure is helping generate takeaways. It's a lot to deal with for an opposing quarterback.

Gary from Chippewa Falls, WI

Matt LaFleur seemed to have more intensity in his demeanor after the Bears game. Since the rage call for Christian Watson, LaFleur seems to be taking offense against defenses trying to stop his play calls. He and Love are in lockstep.

I hate to inform some of y'all that Matt LaFleur is the same guy he was before the last Bears game and he'll be the same guy after the next meeting in Chicago. They didn't make "All gas, no brakes" shirts six years ago for no reason. Perhaps LaFleur is digging a few inches deeper into his bag right now, but this is how the Packers want to play ball.

Eric from Colorado Springs, CO

All this giddy chortling over the recent success of the defense has me thinking. When was the last time, if ever, the defense was the identity of a Packers team? As far as I can tell we've had good defenses and even great ones, but that always seems to be overshadowed by "15," "4" and "12."

I think it's happened quite often. The Packers couldn't have lived with Favre's interceptions if it wasn't for Fritz Shumur's defenses responding to sudden-change situations. I'd argue it also happened as recently as 2019. Aaron Rodgers only threw 26 touchdowns during Matt LaFleur's first year as head coach and Green Bay leaned heavily on Mike Pettine's defense during a 13-win campaign.

Joe from Bozeman, MT

A win is a win (Aristotle?), but the running game still needs work, and the O-line is going to get Jordan Love killed if they don't start pass protecting better. I love that Jordan has not let the pass rush affect his throws but eventually even he will get a little gun shy. I guess we will also shortly see whether it's the linemen or the RBs that are the issue.

I'm more bullish on the pass protection than you are, but certainly improvement is needed all-around. Green Bay struggled to run the ball against the 32nd-ranked run defense in the league entering Week 5. If you're consistently sitting in third-and-7-plus, the defense is going to get after your quarterback.

Dave from New Berlin, WI

O-line has improved pass blocking. Do you think they can improve their run blocking?

I do, but the running backs and blockers just haven't gotten on the same page yet. When the holes are there, the backs aren't finding them. When the holes are not there, the backs are getting dropped for negative yardage. A lot of ironing is needed to get the wrinkles out of that sheet.

Bill from Menominee, MI

I know the traditional rushing offense is almost non-existent, but it did appear that Matt LaFleur has really been dialing up some creative short-yardage plays to make up for it. Six yards is six yards. Whether it's a reverse flea-flicker, or a quick pass to a running back. The third-down completion percentage was representative of a team that looked prepared for an arsenal of non-explosive plays that were very important to the outcome.

The Packers are doing everything they can to win on early downs right now, whether it is screen passes out of flea flickers, end-arounds or quick passes. It's all on the table, but at some point, Green Bay will need to run the ball on first down when the defense knows it's coming.

Andrew from Richmond, VA

I think the game plan really showed the faith they currently have in their outside corners. Many times, asking them to go 1-on-1 against one of the premier receiver tandems in the league. Having those guys up to the task lets our safeties wreak havoc in the middle of the field. I've been a longtime Keisean Nixon believer, and Brandon Cisse certainly looks the part. Do you think they can keep it up? Also, shoutout to Carrington Valentine having his number called and immediately coming in ready to make plays.

I gave a shout out to the secondary in our "Takeaway" video Monday. Nixon is a pitbull out there and you can see how that mentality is rubbing off on Cisse, who also isn't shy about initiating contact to get a ball carrier down. When it comes to coverage, both guys battle for the ball. What's more, Valentine again proved his value as the "next man up" on the perimeter with how he played in Cisse's absence.

Hailee from Cedar Rapids, IA

What did the Packers do during the offseason that has made our running game go from existing to nonexistent? We didn't even have this pathetic running game in the '70s and '80s. We can't even get out of the backfield.

The Packers weren't star-spangled awesome at running the ball last year, either. But now they've played six games without their former Pro Bowl running back. To Joe's earlier point, getting Josh Jacobs back will be a good litmus test for where the Packers are on the ground.

Jim from Escanaba, MI

Having lived in the Pacific time zone for nearly 40 years, this East Coast time zone is horrible for primetime games! Simply horrible!

Well, the 3½-hour runtime didn't help matters, either.

Dave from Comer, GA

Maybe I am an old curmudgeon but with two taunting penalties I think the entire team should be shown highlights of Barry Sanders as he scores, hands the ball to the refs, and goes back to the bench. If that's good enough for Barry, it's MORE than good enough for you. Get over yourself, kid.

That was Jordy Nelson, too. Taunting is a major emphasis across the league right now. Until the NFL pulls back on it, it'd be a prudent move on the Packers' part (albeit boring).

John from Stevens Point, WI

A lot of woulda, shoulda, couldas in the passing game vs. Dallas, but still plenty of firepower through the air, and a great defensive scheme and execution to get the win. This team could be dangerous if the running game comes around, the silly personal foul and unsportsmanlike penalties cease, and the case of the dropsies is cured. Scrappy, fun team to watch. They seem to be figuring things out.

The Packers are so close right now. They absolutely, positively, must clean up the drops for a myriad of reasons. In my mind, I can't but think how unstoppable the Packers' passing game would be right now if it wasn't for those miscues? Even with all the drops, Green Bay still ranks fifth in passing offense and stands among the league leaders in explosive plays. The big plays are there to be made. The pass catchers just need to do a little more to really break it open.

Fredrick from Okatie, SC

Very impressed by the plays our offense used. I was happy to see some scrambling by Love, his designed running and QB sneak. That has been my gripe that were not changing up the game plan to meet the current situation. I felt we played really good Sunday night. I was a little disappointed that our scoring fell off in the second half but extremely thankful that our defense kept things in check. So, here's my question, did we play that well that it made Dallas look bad and can we keep it up?

Love wasn't perfect, but he was spectacular. There is no position on a football field that can make a team right more than quarterback. This 4-2 start has been fueled by Love's toughness and playmaking ability.

Frank from Green Bay, WI

Watching from the end zone as Evan Williams crept up to the line only to drop back into coverage on the interception of Dak was one of the best plays of the season. He is fast becoming a star in the league.

Everything Spoff said on Monday, but I'll add this: The Packers signed one of the best safeties in the game when they added Xavier McKinney two years ago, but Williams is the free safety Green Bay has been searching for in the draft for more than a decade. His instincts, anticipation and ball skills are next level.

Andrew from Placentia, CA

I just thought of a silver lining to all the drops. Two of the drops in the end zone led to Trey Smack field goals. Without those opportunities, maybe he doesn't have as many chances, which may have gone a long way to rebuild his confidence. I think Love already has faith in Matthew Golden and Watson, but Smack gaining confidence down the stretch may be huge.

I loved LaFleur electing to kick that 25-yarder in the first quarter. That is a makeable confidence-builder for Smack, who then drilled two more makeable confidence-builders. The kid is gonna be all right. I have no doubt about that. But I also like Green Bay putting Smack in a position to succeed in more favorable conditions.

Scott from Harshaw, WI

What is the biggest takeaway from Sunday night's game that most people won't notice?

Isaiah McDuffie may split reps with Ty'Ron Hopper but still is going to be very important for the Packers' defense moving forward without Edgerrin Cooper. His tackles before Javon Bullard's fourth-and-2 breakup quashed Dallas' drive and eventual hopes for a comeback.

Bruce from Lakewood, CO

Dear Insiders: Is the key to taunting that you do whatever you do facing an opposing player? Golden's celebration looked similar to other players flexing after a sack or other good play and as harmless as the first down indication celebration.

I think one important rule all young players must learn – never celebrate in the face and/or direction of the opponent. It's obvious to referees. They will find a reason to call that.

Dave from Phoenix, AZ

Good morning II. That was some referee match on Sunday night! There were a lot of bad calls either way, but on the George Pickens reception, why was it ruled an incomplete pass? It appeared he had control of the ball against his chest, and his rear end was already on the ground when his "sleeve" touched out of bounds. I thought it was an incorrect call, but what do I know. What did you think?

I don't know. I thought Pickens' butt hitting the ground was enough, but I guess too much of his jersey touched the chalk?

Luke from Holcombe, WI

So, does New York have any guidelines for when or how they use their expedited review power yet? How does this process not completely undermine the whole coach's challenge system when the league can just arbitrarily step in and save them a red flag use (and then get it wrong anyway)? The optics aren't good for favoring one team or another on a close turnover call.

That's what it feels like right now. I will say that was the first time I've seen replay assist overrule itself. Kinda fun.

Mike from New Orleans, LA

I heard someone on a podcast suggest that if the QB leaves the pocket, anything other than egregious contact downfield should be allowed. I really like this idea. It seems every week some defensive player gets called for holding or PI after solid coverage while the QB is running around behind the line. Do you think the league would ever consider this and do you like the idea?

Makes sense. I think there's a need for common sense among officiating crews. The viewer knows an egregious penalty when they see it. For all the flags that have been thrown this year – including the one on Bullard during Kyler Murray's botched slide – I'm not sure that I have seen one.

David from Fishers, IN

I know you have probably received so many questions on the reffing from the game. I have a question that is also a statement: "!@#$%^&*()!!!" There is no consistency from week to week nor from play to play. I'm almost at the point of not wanting to watch as a fan. I can watch other games for entertainment and comment on how rigged everything looks, but it is just hard to watch Packer games as a Packer fan. There... I guess I feel better now.

Rashan Gary's shove of Love was almost identical to Lukas Van Ness' on Prescott. Neither should have been flagged. If we're gonna tighten the rule to no longer allowing the pass rusher a step, then put it in writing already.

Mike from Pekin, IL

I was hoping for a better response today (Monday) regarding the three "roughing" calls on the Cowboys' last score. Added together, they wouldn't add up to one roughing call. The one on Lukas Van Ness and the one on player leaping to block the pass who landed close enough for a Love tap on Dak Prescott were downright RIDICULOUS! The zebra who made those calls gifted Dallas six points. BTW, the two taunting calls, Golden flexed his muscles to the crowd not at the defender. Yet a DL can tap dance after a tackle. C'mon!

Last thing I'll say here…this is the officiating the NFL wants. This is the officiating the NFL gets. It's all fun and games until it costs your team in a best-of-one playoff game.

Tim from Blandon, PA

I have two thoughts I'd like to share. (1) I've seen two games at Pittsburgh, and both were great experiences as a visiting fan. (2) On complaining after a win, I'm reminded of a great line I heard from a manager: "You could pay some people their weight in gold, and they'd complain about having to carry it to the car."

Ten years writing this column has taught me this: There are two types of sports fans – those who root for a win and those who root for an apology.

Mark from Genoa, IL

I know this is silly, but after a third of the season completed, the NFC North has all four teams in the top seven for playoff seeding.

It's almost like this has been the best division in football the past five years or something?

Arthur from Eau Claire, WI

My day was not going so hot but the laugh I got from Mike's answer to Keith from Springfield made my day a whole lot brighter. Thanks Mike! Spicy Spoff is the best!

Spicy (and sleep-deprived) Spoff is best. Have a great Tuesday.

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