Markus from Aurora, CO

Road trip, again! After that comes a break. But first: Beat the Cowboys!

Giddy-up.

Al from Green Bay, WI

Call last week a letdown, a fluke, or whatever. We'll just call this week a win. Reasons to believe: 1) The O-line will come off firing and will show no mercy. 2) Jordan Love. His last game in Dallas was pretty good, huh? 3) Defensive domination. They will get after it, and it's not just about Micah Parsons. 4) Josh Jacobs. I think he starts to cook this week, channeling his inner Aaron Jones in Dallas. GPG!

I call last week history and this Sunday opportunity. With the bye week looming, this is the Packers' shot at announcing their presence with authority (again).

Bob from Hudson, WI

The way to open up the run game is to throw more passes farther than the 2-5 yard passes we see so much of. Throwing those short passes keeps more people closer to the line of scrimmage and therefore less holes to run through.

Big plays, Bobby. Run or pass, you gotta stress a defense with some big plays in key situations. The Packers did so against Detroit and Washington and came up short in Cleveland. You gotta get back on the horse in Dallas.

Ben from Cripple Creek, CO

Jeff Hafley's description of what double/triple-teaming Micah Parsons does for the defense was PRICELESS.

That's the benefit of having a game-changer at that position. It's no different than how offenses treated Clay Matthews in his prime. As Hafley astutely pointed out, it's up to the coaches to figure out how to capitalize on all the attention Parsons is receiving to create other opportunities. The more you can throw at an offense, the more it'll help Parsons in the long run, too.

Ray from Phoenix, AZ

How has Lukas Van Ness played so far? He went from starter to sub after the Parsons trade. I thought we might see him more inside after the trade. Has he been on the field much with Rashan Gary and Parsons?

The Packers have sprinkled Van Ness into some of the third-down rush packages with Gary and Parsons, but he's also balancing out the edge rush behind those two. Van Ness is playing more than he's ever played, roughly 50% of the defensive snaps through the first three weeks.

Dennis from Boise, ID

All this talk about Parsons' return to Dallas and revenge and all that makes me a little nervous about putting one more log on the fire for Kenny Clark. It is his first game against HIS former team, too, and so far, he's off to a good start with his new team. Thoughts?

Clark is their best defensive player in my opinion and that's not taking anything away from Trevon Diggs, DaRon Bland and all the other playmakers the Cowboys possess. Dallas sought Clark out for a reason. He obviously plays the run well but also generates a strong push from the interior. It's a major assignment for Elgton Jenkins, Sean Rhyan and anyone else tasked with slowing down the three-time Pro Bowler.

Jon from Willmar, MN

Zach Tom should be allowed to heal until at least after bye. Final lineup set for offensive line?

A lot of jars up in the air right now. Spoff will let you know 90 minutes before kickoff, but I'd assume Jordan Morgan plays left guard and Darian Kinnard gets the call at right tackle.

Steve from Kansas City, MO

Am I one of the few that are seeing reality right now? Yes, a healthy Pack looks like they could be great this year, but until they sort out their O-line issues with injuries – we are at risk in every game we play. Tell me I'm wrong. What worries me most is Jordan Love getting hurt running for his life. I hate that injuries play so large a role in who wins and loses.

I think last year desensitized some to the perils of playing offensive line in the NFL and how difficult it can be to traverse a 17-game regular season with just five or six guys. Do you guys catch/remember what I wrote last week about how the makeshift O-line pulled together to help the Packers dispatch Myles Garrett and the Browns in 2021? It took a total team effort to keep Aaron Rodgers clean that day. We'll see who's all available Sunday, but Green Bay has the linemen to get the job done. That unit must play with discipline, execution and continuity for 60 full minutes.

John from Portland, OR

Remember several weeks ago when we were all scratching our heads wondering why Brian Gutekunst traded for Darian Kinnard? Well, thank goodness he did, because the O-line that was supposed to be an area of strength for us has turned into an area of great concern with three guys injured. Let's hope the men left standing can rise to the challenge this weekend in Dallas, and let's not judge personnel moves in their immediate aftermath. Thanks for all the great coverage.

In most years, the Packers seem to make a late-summer/in-season acquisition to beef up the offensive line (Jared Veldheer, Dennis Kelly, Byron Bell, Andre Dillard, etc.). Kinnard was the guy for 2025 and made tons of sense given his experience playing both guard and tackle. I doubt anyone expected Kinnard would be pressed into action this soon – Dillard barely played all last season – but this is why the Packers make these types of moves.

ALEX from TERRE HAUTE, IN

SHOULD WE BE WORRIED ABOUT AARON BANKS AND ZACH TOM INJURIES AND WHEN DO YOU THINK WE CAN SEE THEM RETURN TO FIELD?

NO. THEY'LL BE OK BUT JUST NEED SOME TIME TO HEAL UP. THERE'S STILL AN OUTSIDE CHANCE BANKS PLAYS, TOO. THANKS FOR YOUR QUESTION.

Steve from Phoenix, AZ

I want to be encouraged by your optimism about how our O-line will show its pride Sunday, but we have three who are not practicing. A patchwork offensive line can change everything. I was here in Phoenix for a game in December 2015. You don't forget games like that.

The Packers started that game with four of their preferred starting offensive linemen, with Don Barclay replacing David Bakhtiari at left tackle. The problem was both Corey Linsley and Bryan Bulaga got injured. In theory, it should be a different ball game when a team has a full practice week to prepare a starting five than reacting to injuries.

John from Green Bay, WI

What are the keys to winning against Dallas?

Win on the ground. Josh Jacobs and the run game need to get going while the defense must find an answer for Javonte Williams and the Cowboys' offensive line. Generating a game-altering takeaway also would help the cause.

Matt from Racine, WI

Do you think Matthew Golden could have stayed inbounds and ran for six?

Based on our conversation with Golden this week, the rookie first-round pick feels he could have done more to stay inbounds, but these decisions are made in the blink of an eye. As Golden gains more experience, those plays will become second nature.

Hanly from Bozeman, MT

If you could transport one current Packers player back in time to play for Coach Lombardi, who would it be and why? Pretty sure I'm using "who" and not "whom" correctly here.

Tucker Kraft.

Kirsten from Madison, WI

When you talk to Kenny this weekend, please convey Packer Nation's continued appreciation and gratitude as well.

He knows. He definitely knows.

Eric from Green Bay, WI

Jayden Reed was put on IR and when it was first announced it wasn't clear to me if he was on the IR designated to return or on IR and out for the season. Looking at the roster on the Packers website he is listed as on IR without the DTR. So, is Jayden Reed done for the season or could he come back later in the season if he is able to recover from his surgeries even though he wasn't DTR initially? What are the rules on IR and IR DTR?

The only time the Packers need to "designate" a player to return from injured reserve is final cuts (e.g. MarShawn Lloyd and Jacob Monk). That's done to differentiate which players are on season-ending IR and which could return this season. Green Bay can return up to six additional players from IR during the regular season at the team's discretion as long as those individuals were placed on IR after the mandatory reduction to 53 players.

Matt from Janesville, WI

Well, I may not be a part-time assistant quarterback coach, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express once...Pass the cheezy poofs please! GPG

We all know nothing. Some are just self-aware enough to realize it.

Kevin from Bettendorf, IA

I'm sure I'm not the only II reader responding to Jim from New Ulm today. I've watched the NFL for 50-plus years without ever thinking I know more about football than the coaches. But I've seen more times than I can count coaches who, in the heat of the moment, overthink way too much. Pete Carroll in Super Bowl XLIX is the easy example, but it happens all the time. With all respect to professional coaches, fans watching on TV have some football smarts, too.

But they aren't the ones making those decisions while the world is watching, either.

Erik from Anchorage, AK

Who was your vote for Fat Bear Week?

856.

Walter from Toms River, NJ

I have been submitting questions probably 15 years and never had a response. My question is I only submit after the Insider Inbox has been already submitted. So, I assume two reasons for this, 1, my question was seen and just not answered, or once the question period is over any questions will be ignored. Just need to know if I am wasting my time responding after the session is over. Thank you.

I couldn't tell ya, Walter. We get a lot of submissions. But you're published today. Welcome to the club. Say hi to Frankie Edgar for me.

Anthony from Southington, CT

Hey guys! I'll be at the game Sunday night! I'm going with my brother, who just finished his cancer treatments, his wife and my sister. We are hoping to go to the pep rally Saturday evening. My question is, should we, as Packers owners, bring his wife and my sister who are Cowboys fans? Not certain how that would play at the pep rally. Hope to say hi to you guys and tell you in person what a great job you do. GPG!

Absolutely. It's a very friendly, communal event. We may have set a record for opposing fans at the Philadelphia pep rally last January. All the best to your bro. Keeping him in my prayers.

Scott from Palos Park, IL

I am anxiously awaiting the new podcast: Over-Arching Conclusions with Mike Spofford. When can we expect to see that hit the airwaves?

Probably tomorrow, if somebody agrees to sponsor it.

Kevin from Ocean Isle Beach, NC

Not a question but I wanted to thank you guys for your commonsense responses on the Cleveland game. I find it best for me to only read Inbox the week after a bad loss. I know the team will bounce back this week!

Hopefully, see ya after the bye.

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