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Win or lose, it's just one game

Put the ball in Davante Adams' vicinity and he's going to make a play

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Todd from Winona, MN

If I remember correctly the Bengals are the only team Aaron Rodgers has not beat. Is this correct? Brett Favre beat all 32 teams by joining the Vikes to beat the Packers to get the 32nd team/win.

That's correct. With a win over Cincinnati on Sunday, Rodgers will join an illustrious group of quarterbacks who hold victories over 31 NFL teams.

Steven from Independence, MO

Is Kevin King our starting corner?

How you wish to classify starters is up to you, but King has earned the right to be on the field. Opportunity is aplenty for defensive backs with how much the Packers are running their nickel and dime sub-packages. It's up to King to capitalize on whatever snaps he sees against Cincinnati.

Bram from Colorado Springs, CO

What impact will a healthy Ahmad Brooks make?

Significant. His durability and versatility are important behind Clay Matthews and Nick Perry. I know Dom Capers said he felt fine about the workload of his starting linebackers against Atlanta, but it's critical to keep them healthy and fresh. It's a good sign the Packers got Brooks back at practice Wednesday.

Rod from Chugiak, AK

While giving grace for a rookie to grow – especially as big men usually take a couple or three years to mature – I am really looking forward to seeing what we have in Montravius Adams. Tony Pauline's Senior Bowl assessment was "A man among boys." RJF expressed being impressed by his advanced moves.

I'm with you. We didn't get a chance to see him in pads during training camp, so Adams is kind of an enigma at this point. He's a taller defensive lineman, but has good knee bend and explosiveness. He has some real ability.

Adam from Chicago, IL

We have to know, how was the Atlanta press box? Were giant pretzels provided?

The first thing I said to Spoff when we sat down was, "Wow, this reminds me of Dallas." The press box is in almost the same exact spot as AT&T Stadium in the corner of one of the end zones, which isn't ideal for seeing the opposite end of the football field. Giant pretzels also were provided and appreciated.

Kyle from Sun Prairie, WI

For offensive interference on a pick play, is the direction the defender is moving a consideration for the rule? Typically the DB/LB is chasing the receiver and the collision is head-on. I can't find a replay online, but the replay in my mind says the guy Bennett ran into was not making an effort to chase Cobb. For everyone else who is upset about the Week 2 loss, I would rather lose now and win the next time we meet them. Penalties work in our favor sometimes and against us in others. It's part of the game.

Not to keep banging the Atlanta drum, but the point you make is exactly the reason why the call confused me. It didn't even appear the defensive back was trying to fight through Bennett to trail Cobb in coverage. That's the last I'm going to say about it.

Kelly from Kaneohe, HI

Wouldn't the head referee have the authority to question the vantage point and pick up the flag? Shouldn't that be something they discuss when making the call?

We're on to Cincinnati.

Matt from Hartford, WI

What's happened to us? Used to be that perfection was the unobtainable goal that we strive for, now it's expected? What happened?

I have one gripe with fans and it's not exclusive to Green Bay. When they're winning, their team is unstoppable and everything it did last week will happen again the next. When the team loses, it's automatically time to start blowing everything up and rebuild. Win or lose, it's just one game.

Mike from Stevens Point, WI

"A pessimist may be proven right in the long run but an optimist has more fun along the way!"

If you're hoping for the worst, you'll never be satisfied with the results.

William from Fork Union, VA

Do you see a true leader on our defense with so many different formations?

The Packers might have a new personnel package, but the players on the field are largely the same. Morgan Burnett, a two-time playoff captain, is the centerpiece of "Nitro," so I don't think leadership is an issue.

John from Flanders, NJ

Seriously, if we win the toss this week do we take the ball and score and set the tone on a team that hasn't scored a TD yet?

I'm always in favor of deferring until the second half, but the scenario you present is tempting. I'll be curious to see what the Packers do if they win the toss.

Shawn from Kissimmee, FL

The best games are the ones that keep us on the edge of our seat. When do you think Aaron Jones will get an opportunity? I liked what I saw from him in the preseason.

*It sounds like the Packers want to get their rookie running backs more opportunities based on what I heard Monday from Mike McCarthy and Edgar Bennett. Montgomery has been effective, but he's also on pace for 1,100 snaps. Jones had a couple nice runs in the preseason, but there are other factors the Packers take into account when divvying out snaps. *

Dean from Leavenworth, IN

I think Ty Montgomery has a legitimate shot at 1,600 total yards rushing and receiving and 15 TDs. How unusual would that be for the Packers?

It hasn't been done since 2003.

Garrett from Hugo, MN

Insiders, don't we need to run the ball more? I am losing track of how many times McCarthy claims he wants to run the ball more, yet here we are again. Less than one-third of our plays have been runs. And please don't use playing from behind as an excuse, because we didn't run the ball to start either. Only eight out of 29 first-half plays were runs. Where is the balance?

I thought the Packers hit the target in the opener against Seattle. Atlanta was a different situation. Once Green Bay fell behind, it was forced to take to the air more frequently. I'm sure it'll be an emphasis against the Bengals.

Matt from Greensboro, NC

A couple of in-game injuries can quickly deplete a position. It's been mentioned Cobb would likely be an emergency backup QB should Rodgers and Hundley go down. Which position do you think is "easiest" to fill in an emergency? I'd say DBs should have knowledge and speed to fill in for WRs. I can't see D-lineman swapping for O-lineman or vice versa. Linebacker for RB? No.

Well, Letroy Guion actually finished last year's playoff game in Atlanta at guard, so that kind of throws your assumption out the window. I think linemen are probably better suited to play across the line because of how much they work against each other. Davante Adams also showed receivers could be counted on in the backfield in a pinch.

Darby from Mesa, AZ

It seems like Davante Adams does pretty well on the deep passing plays when given the opportunity. The touchdown pass from Rodgers last Sunday was a great example, and last year the over-the-shoulder catch he had in Philadelphia was another. I guess my question is can the Packers make Adams that next reliable deep threat?

Put the ball in Davante Adams' vicinity and he's going to make a play on it.

Lori from Brookfield, WI

When the O-line allows Rodgers to be sacked and tormented as he was in the last game, is this directly addressed with them, or do they completely understand their erroneous play and look to improve?

My job title here reads "Staff writer," but that's probably 25 percent of what I do here. Earlier this year, our UX coordinator, Matt Haberkamp, worked with me on learning to publish stories to our website. Soon thereafter, I was on weekend call when unfortunately Judge Robert Parins passed away and I had to get Cliff Christl's obit online. I was unprepared to handle such a situation, but Haberkamp walked me through it over the phone. There's an understanding I wouldn't be able to do it as well as Matt, but I did my best. That's all my bosses could ask as I sat in an empty office on my off day, wearing the same clothes I'd just been cutting my lawn in. So I wouldn't classify the offensive line's play as "erroneous." For a worst-case scenario, I thought they held up pretty well all things considered.

Paul from Channing, MI

Love this place. I was a track coach. We didn't have injuries. We did a comprehensive group stretch and then before each event all players were required to do individual stretching again. Both sides of the ball stand for long periods waiting to get in the game. They then asked their muscles to put out 100 percent on the first snap. They are tight and so many times something has to give. Except for Drew Brees, I don't know another player in the NFL that stretches before battle. Am I crazy or what?

They're two completely different sports. It's like saying Tommy John surgeries aren't prevalent in the NFL, so what is MLB doing wrong? I get what you're saying – muscle tears occur with explosive movements, but track-and-field athletes also aren't making contact with each other every time they step to the line. NFL players stretch and many do yoga to keep their muscles loose, but injuries happen.

Kevin from Louisville, KY

"Be better." Well done, Wes. Well done.

I'm not trying to put anyone on blast, but I just have no time for fat jokes. It's low-brow humor. To Ryan's credit, he wrote in Wednesday and everything is cool. Moving along.

Corey from Mooresville, NC

I was really surprised by a piece ESPN did about Eddie Lacy and his weight. It really shows you how all of that affected him personally, and how we as fans can sometimes push too far when it comes to players and what we think about the way they perform. These are human beings putting their bodies on the line every single week.

And I think that's what we sometimes forget.

Cale from Chilton, WI

What happened to Clay? I watch him and it seems like he's avoiding injury more than he's looking to stick his nose in tight spots. Have we lost our Claymaker?

He had 1½ sacks Sunday.

Dave from Germantown, TN

The Packers indicate they will have 13 players on the injury list today. What happens if it is determined that more than eight of these players can't play on Sunday? Do we cut a player (or put a player on IR) and bring in a healthy body from the practice squad or somewhere else, or do we go in the game one player light and hope no one else gets hurt?

I can only remember one time when the Packers had more than seven injured players going into a game. I believe it was in 2012 against Detroit. T.J. Lang dressed for the game in an emergency situation, but didn't play. Obviously, they also have the transaction wire at their disposal.

Carl from Manzanita Post, MI

To me, it seems like history is repeating itself. Watching Rodgers try to drag this roster to a Super Bowl reminds me of watching Brett Favre win a SB early in his career and then muddle along with a declining roster trying to get back to the mountaintop. I see No. 12, 69 and 76 as elite players, not too much after that.

Here we go again with the statements without actual questions. So what you're saying is the Packers have been in the NFC Championship Game in two of the last three seasons, yet the roster is declining? OK, got it.

Steven from Montclair, NJ

Lesson learned to all the "Packers should have drafted Watt people" out there. If you develop an opinion that will change based on three quarters of solid play from our second-round pick, you should probably hold off on your conclusions. It is too early to judge Watt and King at this point. Just enjoy the game!

On Sunday, I was sitting in my hotel room in Atlanta watching the noon slate of NFL games. A few minutes before kickoff, I subbed out Frank Gore and put Javorius Allen in my RB2 spot (cut me some slack…I just lost David Johnson). Gore scores a touchdown and I'm kicking myself. As it turns out, Allen wound up having the better game. The lesson I learned is to not rush to the instant conclusion whether something is a good decision or bad decision.

Kyle from Osceola, WI

I read somewhere that Chargers punter Mike Scifres has a longer completion (28 yards) in this early season than eight starting quarterbacks. And teams still think Colin Kaepernick doesn't belong? Come on, man!

I don't want to open a can of worms here because I believe this subject brings out the worst in internet forums. From the beginning, the only point I've been arguing is Kaepernick had a 4-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio last year and a 90-plus passer rating. There currently are 12 quarterbacks who have thrown at least 40 passes with less than an 80 passer rating.

Scott from Palatine, IL

When you guys are watching a game do you ever see something and your first reaction is, "Boy, the Inbox is going to be full of comments about this?"

It happens at least twice per game.

Ben from De Pere, WI

Regarding all of the questions about making sure we get the call right, I am not so sure I want all the calls to be right. The suspense and emotions during those wild moments are amazing!

So I'm guessing you were a big fan of the old tuck rule.

Luke from Kenosha, WI

Thanks for taking the time to talk to me and my 10-year-old son on Family Night. This is a comment not a question. I coach a fifth-grade team. Numbers are low for the team (13). Due to injuries and fatigue, I've had to switch some players out of their "normal" positions. Parents were furious. I explained to them, "Players not plays" and not by position. Parents love me now! Thanks Vic, Wes, and Mike.

It was great to meet you, Luke. All the best to you and your football team.

Dave from Saint Peters, MO

After the first two games, I'm a firm believer in luck averaging out to 50/50, making luck non-existent long term. Do you believe in luck? Or even Karma?

I'm a firm believer you make your own luck…and your own Karma.

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