Inbox: All gas and you know the rest

Mike from Baraboo, WI

I anticipate a win going away this weekend. What are the keys to winning vs. the Rams?

The Packers absolutely must start fast. Not only can Green Bay not afford to fall into another early deficit, but it also must prevent the Los Angeles Rams from building any type of momentum in the first quarter. LA is struggling to stop the run and score touchdowns. Now is not the time to give the Rams hope in either of those two categories. Remember who you are – all gas and you know the rest.

Linda from Lakewood Ranch, FL

Good morning, Wes. Will Jordan Love be able to put pressure on his back leg this week?

Love was able to put pressure on his back leg last week. He just needed to redevelop his feel for the football and comfort within the pocket. Both steadily improved through the course of the game. This week, Love needs tighten up his throws and protect the football.

Peter from Union City, MI

The Vikings game was like a microcosm of last year. The thing that stands out, looking both at the first half of last year and the first half of last week's game, is that Love and the offense still look impressive. They move the ball almost easily but then shoot themselves in the foot. As long as we have Love and Matt LaFleur, and clean up some fixable things, this team will be strong.

September showed this offense can play with anyone. Like usual, LaFleur and Co. cooked up some creative schemes regardless of who was playing quarterback. Again, in order to win with regularity, the Packers must cut down on the penalties and turnovers. I have faith in this coaching staff to make that happen. But that's the difference from being a prolific offense and a productive football team.

Al from Green Bay, WI

Let's get that bad taste from last week out of our mouth and savor the opportunity to beat the Rams. Reasons to believe: 1) Love continues to heal, and he got his sea legs under him in the second half last week. Look for continued progress. 2) As Spoff pointed out yesterday, LA's run defense is worse than the Colts'. 3) Every team deals with injuries, but the Rams have more than their fair share, and it will cost them. 4) Jayden Reed on offense. 5) Rashan Gary and Kenny Clark to deliver this week on defense. GPG!

Getting Gary and Clark going is a must, especially without Devonte Wyatt. Both could pop off with a multiple-sack game at any time and perhaps as soon as this Sunday. I'm confident Gary will find his groove. I also like what Jeff Hafley said about Green Bay possibly moving him around more. Gary originally was billed as a Za'Darius Smith-type pass rusher who could line up inside on third downs. Clark has had some slow starts in the pass-rush department but always gets better as the season wears on.

Jim from Eau Claire, WI

I saw that Edgerrin Cooper did not participate Thursday. That concerns me especially when it's a road game. Are the Packers just being cautious with him?

Cooper returned to practice on Friday after sitting out Thursday. He's still among the seven questionable for Sunday, though. Green Bay needs him. Cooper has something to offer this defense right now.

Seth from Madison, WI

Whatever Romeo Doubs is currently going through, I hope he's OK.

100% agreed. Rome is the best. He's been been nothing but a consummate professional during his two-plus seasons here. Without knowing anything, I just hope everything is all right.

Ryan from Ripon, W

Is there an identity issue with the team currently? As I watch the defense, I am not sure if it's aggressive or bend don't break. The offense, I just can't seem to put my finger on it, but something seems off. Maybe it's a good thing because it makes the team unpredictable, but it's confusing at the same time.

I think it's more an execution issue than an identity issue. The Packers can be as aggressive as they want with the play calls but then you better get home. Hafley mentioned how the Packers sent a pressure on Justin Jefferson's 27-yard crosser in the fourth quarter. The front couldn't get to Sam Darnold quick enough and the Vikings' QB hit a late-developing route against man coverage for an explosive gain.

David from Janesville, WI

Gents – for all the consternation regarding the kicker position, Packers fans should feel pleased about the punter position. Daniel Whelan didn't garner much attention when he was signed, but he beat out a veteran by not only being a better punter but also an equally good, if not better, holder. He's positively affected games, which wasn't always the case with the punting unit. At least that part of the kicking game has gone well. What a find by Brian Gutekunst.

Spoff and I have written extensively about Whelan's progression in this column, but each week he still continues to impress and improve. For so many years, the Packers struggled to win the battle for field position. Whelan has kept Green Bay on the plus side of that equation this year. His leg has become a legitimate weapon for the Packers. Hopefully, Whelan keeps it going as the temperatures begin to dip…after this weekend.

Kenton from Rochester, MN

Another week and another injury report where the list of injured Packers is three times longer than their opponent's list. Depressing.

The Packers' injury report is long, but proper context is needed. True, Los Angeles has only four players on its injury report but there also are a dozen Rams on injured reserve/physically unable to perform. The Packers have six on IR, including two players (Ralen Goforth and LJ Davis) who were unlikely to make made the 53-man roster.

Richard from Canton, GA

Compared to the early Ask Vic days, the website content team (including yourselves) create so much content on a regular basis. Feels like it's above and beyond what the typical NFL team does. Is there one thing the team would like to replicate that another team does?

I'm proud of the content we produce. I'd put our whole entrée of written, video and social content up against any team in the NFL. I wish I had more time to work on enterprise stories, but there just are only so many hours in the workweek. Our social team is also killing it right now. We've opened the envelope this season and I think both the players and fans are enjoying that shift. To answer your question, there's always things you can glean from other NFL sites, but I like what we're doing.

Phil from Madison, WI

Now I see the league is considering "fixing" the kickoff by moving the end-zone kicks out to the 35. More for the offense, same stupid result. Move the kicker back to the 20 or 25, and any kick that doesn't reach the 30 is dead where it lands, unless the receiving team catches and returns it. End-zone kicks go back to the 25. Problem solved. By the way, no mention from readers that Rasheed Walker played penalty free, nice improvement from him.

The penalties have been the only issue for Walker so far. He's been otherwise solid, especially in pass pro. As far as kickoffs, this is why the NFL competition committee wanted to start at the 35-yard line in the first place. It's too late to switch now. As I've said before, the league should've tabled the measure for another year if it couldn't get the votes. Touchbacks going to the 30 was never going to be a strong enough deterrent, especially if you're kicking to an All-Pro like Keisean Nixon.

Dale from Aurora, CO

Speak to the depth of the offensive line. Is there someone being groomed to play left tackle should Walker have to miss games? How are some of the new guys looking?

We don't know exactly how the Packers would handle an absence at either tackle spot. Andre Dillard and Kadeem Telfort played there a lot during camp. Elgton Jenkins, Zach Tom (flipping sides) and Jordan Morgan could all bounce outside, too.

Roger from Lakewood Ranch, FL

Good morning, Wes. I missed an apparent good movie reference in your last II. I don't watch many movies, so I almost always miss your movie references. As a result, I feel I miss a lot of the best part of II and there isn't anything that I can do about it.

Insider Inbox is like a speakeasy with different levels of engagement. My hope is anyone can come in, sit down for a drink and feel comfortable. But there's several floors to the house for those who wish to become frequent patrons.

Nic from London, UK

You've basically said the results with the kicker aren't good enough and that the Packers should explore every option. How is that not clear enough to people? It isn't exactly an endorsement, and you do have to cultivate relationships with these players so I'm not sure how you excoriating him and then dissing his mom and his dog would accomplish anything. As always there's as much to glean in what you don't say as what you do say, and it's a heck of a lot less toxic and speculative that way.

Bless you, Nic. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but football is a streaky game. Just because the pendulum shifts one way or another doesn't mean it's gonna stay there. Brayden Narveson provided some insight this week into the issues he was having with his plant foot against Minnesota. Let's see if he can make those corrections and start placing those well-hit kicks inside the uprights.

Brian from Twain Harte, CA

Favorite movie quote as applied to the Packers would make a fun question for the Outsiders Inbox. Mine would be Chauncey Gardiner's "I love to watch." What say you?

I've added it to the list.

Tyler from Stetsonville, WI

This might be more of an offseason question...but where are you on the crunchy vs. smooth peanut butter?

Crunchy, obviously.

Jackson from Wausau, WI

A real heartbreaker for Brewers nation. I think we were all left in shock, nonetheless it was successful season as the Brewers were predicted to be average at best. Even though the desired end result remains elusive we will pick up the pieces and give it hell next year. Let's not forget the real prize is the journey and the memories made along the way and let's remember it's a long season Packer fans. Enjoy the ride, we only go around so many times.

I don't know much about the Brewers or baseball anymore, but I remember how demoralizing it felt when they lost to the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2011 NLCS. Here's hoping all those Packers, Brewers, Bucks, Badgers, and Golden Eagles fans out there get another championship soon. You've earned it. It also shows how special it is to capture titles like the Packers in 2010 and the Bucks in 2021.

Gary from Davenport, IA

I am in my early 60s and have been a Brewers fan since the beginning. I have finally made peace with the fact that they will not win a title in my lifetime. Have you guys reached that conclusion yet?

Never. While I acknowledge the MLB's salary structure puts the Brewers at a decided disadvantage, hope always springs eternal for me.

Tom from Woodbury, MN

Is there any NFL stadium with a tailgating setup like Kansas City?

Kansas City may have the field beat in terms of the total circumference of a parking lot. But pound-for-pound, it's Buffalo for me. Bills fans have the right balance of space, ruthless enthusiasm and tables (which my friend Tom Grossi learned about last summer).

Cynthia from Asheville, NC

Greetings II and Packer Nation. I've made it through the mess here in AVL for the most part. I live up in the mountains so there was no flooding, just trees and power lines down everywhere. We are all so grateful for all the outside help here! I'm in town now, so I can get signal and catch up on things. I have missed Packers news so very much. But there have been many things to tend to like finding water. I won't be able to see the game this Sunday so GPG! And hug your beloveds, please.

I definitely will do that, Cynthia. I'm so sorry to hear about the devastation there but glad you're safe. I've been to Ashville twice before. It's a gorgeous city.

James from Asheville, NC

Greetings from flood ravaged Asheville, NC. I'm safe and sound but the town I love is devastated. Yesterday was the first day I had internet contact with the outside world and didn't even know how the Packers did on Sunday. Today I'll be again helping to distribute food and water and proudly wearing my Packers shirt. I hope to see a few other fans. No question to ask other than a request to send some Packers love our way. We badly need it. Go Pack Go!

We'll continue to do that, James. Praying for you, your family and the surrounding community. To those who cannot watch it, we here at packers.com hope to provide you with as much detail and positivity as possible.

Derek from Eau Claire, WI

Wring your hands or bang your drum if you must,
but the path is set and the details standby.
Best get to it.

Let's get it. Enjoy the game everyone.