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Inbox: This team has shown it time and again

He had to come through as the closer in this one

QB Malik Willis
QB Malik Willis

S E Fern from W. Terre Haute, IN

We don't want no stinking trap game.

It never ends, does it?

Donna from Darien, WI

I don't know if I should be relieved that the injury to Jordan Love is his groin instead of his knee? Gritty win for this team.

Great question, but I guess I'll take a soft-tissue injury for now rather than a(nother?) knee ligament.

Bette from Orange City, IA

Will Love be up to next week's game?

No idea at this point.

Robert from Verona, WI

Wow, what a team win. We are so fortunate to watch this group pick each other up. Some teams (that will remain nameless) go all out to acquire talent, but it's clear there is a difference between acquiring talent and building a team.

Culture matters. But so do talent, smarts and adaptability, and with Malik Willis, this team has shown it time and again.

Mark from Big Bear City, CA

Good morning Mike, it's nice to have a kicker that makes all of his attempts. Nine points, I'll take that every Sunday, Monday or Thursday.

Experience matters. He'll miss one eventually, but there's no substitute in the clutch for been there, done that.

Chris from Neptune, NJ

Great team win. You never want the injuries but the Packers really rally around each other when they do. How about Brandon McManus getting the second game-winner in second game for the Packers. Has that happened before?

Not in league history, according to the Elias Sports Bureau (via Wes).

Butch from Donna, TX

We have a great relief pitcher.

And he had to come through as the closer in this one, too.

Jim from Hudsonville, MI

Lots of great players, and plenty of great performances so far this year. I know it's a team game, "all 11" and all that, but I don't think we're 6-2 without Malik Willis. There aren't too many players you can say that about. Am I way off base?

In 2013, the Packers got two wins and a tie from their backup QBs … in eight games. In 2017, they got three wins from their backup … in 10 games. What Willis has done for this team is remarkable almost beyond description.

Julian from Gastonia, NC

The Jaguars' apparent lack of concern for Malik Willis throwing the football ended up costing them a football game.

That's why I asked LaFleur after the game if he thought the Jags were caught by surprise by the shot play, and he answered affirmatively. That whole fourth quarter, the Packers were either running it or throwing very safe passes. Nothing too interesting. Then, bang. The way it was all described in the postgame pressers, I did my best to outline in both my Game Recap and also Rapid Reaction piece.

Kevin from Jenison, MI

Great contributions from the Packers' safety, RB, K, backup QB (let alone draft picks) – not a bad job by our GM in the last year.

Two acquired in March, one in September, one 10 days ago … the process never stops.

Detlef from Breitenstein, Germany

We have a kicker who is 2-2 on GW FGs and a backup QB with a 3-0 record. These might go down as the greatest in-season and preseason moves in Packers history respectively. At least I don't remember anything close to that! Can you think of one? I am a little disappointed with the defense though, giving up 10 points to tie the game late. As great as they played at the beginning, it seemed we played way too soft coverage in those scoring drives. I am worried about the Lions' O coming into Lambeau.

It was feast or famine for the Packers' D. On top of their game to start, then a rash of explosive plays at the end of the first half, a long TD drive in the third quarter, a massive turnover, and then more explosives. Just a weird day. Losing Evan Williams seemed to contribute to the shift, but there had to be more to it than that. I thought the Jaguars protected Lawrence well, better than the Packers had seen from their last couple opponents. The four-man rush wasn't as disruptive as it had been recently, and Lawrence beat a couple of blitzes. There's a LOT for Hafley & Co. to go over after this one. That was certainly not the second-half defense (17 points) we'd seen all year.

Ralf from Arnsberg, Germany

Josh Jacobs' footwork is something special.

I kept saying it in the live blog. I even bumped into him on the way to the bus and told him myself how much of a treat he is to watch. Just a stud.

Mike from West Bloomfield, MI

In the blog people were grumbling about our early penalties hurting us. But I believe we didn't have another penalty the rest of the game as we finished with just three for 20 yards.

Correct, and the Jags had eight for 59. Settling down in that area definitely helped.

H.R. from Henderson, NV

I know it isn't the sexiest position, but man, what a weapon the Jags punter was today. Multiple kicks inside the 10, one rolling out at the 2. Gotta tip the cheesehead to the opposing punter for that field position.

True that, but the Jags were the one team that made the big mistake when backed up. Edgerrin Cooper just makes a big play or two every game, doesn't he? And he's just getting his feet wet.

Kyle from Osceola, WI

There's something kind of special about a running back without a career TD giving himself up rather than scoring. What a team player!

Super heads-up play by Brooks, and on-point work from the sideline to make sure the situation was communicated to everybody. LaFleur said after the game they call that a "Rolex" scenario, because keeping the clock ticking is all that matters. That's a great name for it.

Kevin from New Milford, CT

One more comment regarding the one- vs. two-point conversion. If the team with the seven-point lead fails on the two-point conversion, the trailing team can now tie the game with a TD and XP. If that sends the game to overtime and the previously trailing team wins the toss and scores a TD, you can lose the game without seeing the ball again. Kind of a far-out scenario but it could happen. I think forcing the trailing team to score eight points sounds better to me.

By going up eight, overtime is also your worst-case scenario rather than giving the opponent the opportunity to win in regulation should it want to try.

Jack from Moweaqua, IL

In doing some digging on great defenses and their TDs allowed/turnovers, the 2000 Ravens were just insane. During the regular season they had 23 INTs to 11 passing TDs and 26 fumble recoveries to five rushing TDs allowed. And in the postseason they had a 12/1 turnover to TD ratio. For the season that's almost a 4/1 ratio. MY GOODNESS! I can understand why they didn't have to have any type of explosive offensive.

For comparison's sake, the '85 Bears had 34 INTs vs. 16 passing TDs allowed and 27 fumble recoveries to six rushing TDs. Throw in 10 turnovers in the postseason vs. one TD, and that's 71-23 all told. Insane is a good word.

Roger from McGrath, AK

After the Hail Mary in Washington, is a reminder that there's no chortling in the Inbox warranted? If there's life, there's hope.

What a wild fourth quarter in that one. Mercy. Watching the Hail Mary on the plane, my thought was it doesn't always pay for the defense to have everyone jump for the ball. The Commanders' guy was back there all by himself waiting for the tip, and the catch was uncontested.

James from Anna, TX

How often does a flag for defensive delay of game happen? I've never seen one before.

New one for me, too. As I explained in the live blog, I guess it has to do with the defense shifting right before a placekicking snap. Too bad the Packers couldn't make them pay for the miscue.

Tucker from Belton, TX

In regard to the "violating the spirit of the rules" conversation, I think rushing to the line to snap the ball after a questionable call should end. In baseball they can briefly pause play if they want to look at a replay, I think football should do the same.

Just allow for a sky judge to halt play if necessary. Simple.

Scott from Sussex, WI

You may not want to tell people how to fan, so allow me. If you start assuming wins in your head and planning ahead for the team you have no control over, you miss out on the little details of the present. It leads to disappointment, jaded comments about the play calling, and talking-head shouty-show nonsense. Best laid plans of mice and men and all that. Staying in the moment is advice that works almost everywhere and includes the act of fan-ing.

I'm gonna use "shouty-show nonsense" when I can from now on.

Jodi from Grand Rapids, WI

Imagine every current prominent Packers coach and administrator wrote a book detailing their professional and personal philosophies. You can only select one to read. Who is your choice? I'm going with Sam Seale.

That's a great choice. Would be hard to pass up. I might also go with Russ Ball.

Mike from San Diego, CA

Ecstatic for the win. My only concern is the Packers have just been "surviving" in the last few close wins. I know they were met with adversity losing Love early, but at what point does this become a concern? The Lions just throttled the Titans with double-digit passing yards – will be tough to compete when we haven't been bringing our A game as of late. Here's to hoping they're ready to meet the challenge!

You try to bring your A game every week and see what you've actually got. That's all you can do. Look around the league – the Ravens lost to the Browns, the Texans squeak it out at home vs. the Colts, the Dolphins get their QB back but blow a late lead at home and lose to the Cards, the unbeaten Chiefs are in a one-score game in the fourth quarter with the Raiders, the Jets and a HOF QB can't beat the struggling Patriots, the Bears are blanked in the first half before getting it together and seemingly have it, only to lose on a Hail Mary. Yes, there are some blowouts and runaways, but I say it all the time: This league is bonkers. You win as many as you can, give yourself a shot in January, and then see what you've got when it matters most. That's it, that's all. The rest just keeps me busy.

Chuck from Menomonie, WI

Let's address the elephant in the live blog room. Specifically, the absence of a memorable sign-off. Mike, you simply don't have one. To wit: "Take care, Spoff." (vs. Cardinals) We are not entertained. "Gotta run." (vs. Rams) Come on, Mike! Where. Is. Your. Dagger? "Gotta go folks. Wow." (vs. Jaguars) Pfft! Turn out the lights, the party's over. I expect better from you, Mike. Please give this issue all the attention it deserves. ;-)

Ha. That's honestly the last thing I'm thinking of. My mind is already on the bulletin story I have to write that caps Wes's quarter-by-quarter updates, so the full rundown can get posted ASAP. When the game goes down to the wire, I haven't gotten a head start on that wrap-up, so that's where all my focus lies. Then it's send that in, pack up and rush downstairs for the pressers.

Greg from Belvidere, IL

Am I the only one that flipped the page to next week's game vs. Detroit right after that game-winning FG? Lots of players got banged up. Love, Jacobs, Alexander, etc. Need to get healthy quick.

Fingers crossed. Whether anyone can play next week or not, hopefully nothing's too serious.

Chris from Oregon Mountain, VT

Not only entertained, but also energized. The heart-racing drama surely made my leaf raking chore go faster. (Well... that's my story, and I'm stickin' to it!) GPG!

The bye week can't get here soon enough … for the Packers' health, and for my yard.

Rob from Prospect, KY

Has anyone ever noticed how hard it is to win in this league?

And people get tired of me keepin' it real.

Louanne from Green Bay, WI

So, how many Uncrustables do the Packers go through in a week?

Happy Monday.

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