Jay from Mount Robson, B.C., Canada

Teams that lose the first time have the upper hand next meeting. They know where and what went wrong with the game plan and make the necessary adjustments. Whereas the winning team won't know what's coming and sticks to what worked the first time. Advantage Packers.

I don't disagree, but I think Green Bay beat the Lions last Thanksgiving because it jumped on them early on both sides of the ball and rode out the storm. Of course, the Packers are a different team now than they were in Week 9, but the keys to victory against Detroit are the same – start fast, play physical, protect the ball and win the situational phases of the contest. It's all there for them.

Matt from Kula, HI

As Wes pointed out in "Three Things," inside linebacker has seen a resurgence with the team. Vic used to say you need a thumper and a chaser at the position. Does that still hold true? Isaiah McDuffie seems to be a thumper and Quay Walker a chaser. Would Edgerrin Cooper fit both definitions?

Cooper has huge upside as a high-impact defender who runs a 4.5 40, but I need to talk about McDuffie. The guy is a throwback. He could've played in any era of the NFL. As both Matt LaFleur and Jeff Hafley discussed over the past few days, the Packers didn't even know if McDuffie was gonna be able to play against Miami. He winds up being out there for most of the game, generates 10 tackles, forces a fumble and breaks up a critical third-down pass on an eventual turnover on downs. As a former sixth-round pick, Isaiah McDuffie has been a real find for the Packers. His toughness and physicality are unparalleled.

Eric from Erie, PA

I agree that the strength of this team is controlling the line of scrimmage and running the ball, but I have a feeling this week we might need to spread the ball in an all-out air attack for at least parts of this game. I think Detroit is going to defend the run and try to make Jordan Love throw the ball. So, I think it might be better to start the attack through the air this game and make them think about pulling a safety out of the box and then pound them with the run, either way set the tone.

That's an interesting take, but balance has been the spice of football life for Green Bay this season. At first glance, you may think the Lions are statistically better against the run (fifth) than the pass (25th) but average yards per play tell a different story. Detroit is giving up 4.4 yards per carry (15th in the league) compared to 6.3 yards per pass (good for eighth). Basically, teams forgo running the ball because they're playing from behind. The Lions also have the third-most interceptions (14) in the NFL. The Packers have Josh Jacobs. If Jacobs can handle 20-plus carries again, I'm feeding him and letting the run game continue to set up Green Bay's downfield passing attack.

Tim from Macon, MO

Hey everyone! Hope all is well! To quote one of our very much beloved Packers, "You can if you will!" Just wondering what you think the Packers have most improved on since the loss to the Lions a month ago? Let's back the Pack and many, many thanks for all you and your great crew do! I really mean that guys and ladies!

Faster starts, fewer penalties and more points. The Packers are undefeated this year when they score more than 30 points.

Carl from Onalaska, WI

On Jayden Reed's screen pass TD, if Christian Watson engages in a block right away, is that offensive PI? Is that why he paused and waited for the defender to come to him?

Correct. If it's a forward pass, you can't engage the defender until the pass has been completed.

Nate from Lino Lakes, MN

I've listened to all of Matt LaFleur's pressers but haven't heard a question about Jahmyr Gibbs' photo where he (perhaps) accidently shows team play calls. Has Matt commented on this? Is there an advantage to learning from something like this or has Detroit already changed their calls for Thursday?

LaFleur has not commented on this. The only media scrum I've been part of where it came up was Josh Myers on Sunday. Here's what the Packers' center had to say: "I haven't looked at any of it at all. So, I don't know what exactly it was that got leaked out there. But depending on the gameplan and exactly what they were trying to do, it could potentially be very bad. Just kind of depends." It is what it is. The Packers just need to worry about themselves.

Jack from Moweaqua, IL

Looking back early in the season, these three games I felt would tell us who this year's Packers are. We got one, now it feels as if we are meeting a top contender who bleeds for the second. Wes, what do you think is our best option offensively to attack a wounded defense?

Without repeating myself again on Jacobs, I'll say Christian Watson and the downfield passing game. He was brilliant last year in Detroit (five catches for 94 yards and touchdown) and really seemed to be rounding into form before aggravating his hamstring against Kansas City. Hitting a few explosives, especially early, could really take the Ford Field crowd out of it.

Ben from Cripple Creek, CO

But as good as DET's defense was against the Jags, Colts, and Texans, our offense is a little different when firing on all cylinders. Not to throw shade at those other teams with a few good QBs, but Houston hasn't really been the team that they were last year after we beat them.

With total and absolute respect to Detroit's defense and how it's played in the wake of Aidan Hutchinson's injury, the Packers boast a much different offense than those three squads. Green Bay can run, has an offensive line that's played most of the year together, and a plethora of receiving weapons for Jordan Love to utilize.

Kyle from Pittsburgh, PA

In response to the injury issues and the wear and tear on the players on short rest for Thursday games, do you think the league, or the players' union would consider a rule where rosters expand to 55 (or more?) for games where teams have less than five days' rest? It would allow teams to get a look at practice-squad players under in-season, high-stakes conditions. It would also allow some resting of players that are maybe not injured but are dinged up enough that a lighter snap load might help.

I doubt we see rosters expand under the current format. Maybe it's something the NFL and NFLPA will revisit when/if an 18th regular-season game is added. But the response to the current landscape was the expansion of the practice squad and the provision that allows teams to activate practice-squad players to the gameday roster (up to three times) if in an injury pinch.

Dan from Algonquin, IL

Hi Wes, I know teams and editors aren't crazy about Thursday night games, but as a fan, I love being able to sit back and watch the rest of the NFL beat the snot of each other over the weekend. This week sets us up nicely for a long rest before a Sunday night game in Seattle, and then a Monday night game in Lambeau vs. the Saints. If we go 2-1, we are in great shape at 11-4 heading into the final two games. Can you dig it?

I dig. I understand and appreciate the entertainment value of Thursday Night Football. I just detest the physical toll it takes on players. I also acknowledge it's never changing. We're so far down the river at this point I don't bother yelling at the clouds anymore.

Will from Cheddar, UK

With so many referee decisions being reviewed, but importantly, not all, I am beginning to feel it doesn't all work out in the wash, so to speak. There are missed offsides and false starts in the red zone that make a massive difference to the game but are not reviewable. To me, review everything or nothing otherwise you are creating inconsistencies.

I doubt that ever happens. Pace of play is too important to bog down games with official reviews. In my opinion, LaFleur has the right take on this – play well enough that the referee decisions don't determine the outcome of your game. It reminds me of the old mixed martial arts adage, "Don't leave it in the hands of the judges."

Jim from Chetek, WI

I know there's no math in the Inbox, so I did it for you. The nine wins have come against teams that are a combined 45-65. The Texans (8-5) are the only team currently with a winning record we've beaten. Three losses are to teams that are 31-5. Packers make the playoffs even if that trend continues, but it sure would help both the record and the confidence to win a couple against good teams. It starts Thursday night. GPG!

You can crunch the numbers however you choose. I just say get in. If the Packers take care of business over the next month, they'll get the quality wins you desire.

Woody from Cincinnati, OH

Hey folks, why can't the Vikings just lose a game when they are supposed to?

Man, do I feel that.

Al from Green Bay, WI

From Thursday through Sunday, 15 NFL games were played. Of these, only three weren't decided by seven points or fewer. That's right – 12 one-score contests. What does that say about parity in the NFL?

It says business is booming, my friend.

Jeffrey from Eveleth, MN

We still have some talent on the injured list. Will it be too late in the season to incorporate MarShawn Lloyd and Luke Musgrave into the offense?

Not at all, but they gotta get healthy first. Both have been around the facility, working with the training staff.

Courtney from Noblesville, IN

I will happily ask this question sporadically just in case I hit you on a slow week for a fun question. Is there a better sequential set of players on one side of the ball than our Nos. 8-11? Josh Jacobs, Watson, Love and Reed? Can you think of any other historical sequential crew with this much fire power?

That's a pretty good quartet. Recently, Jordy Nelson (87), Jermichael Finley (88), James Jones (89) and B.J. Raji (90) were pretty fun, too, albeit on two different sides of the field.

Tim from Windsor, CO

Like roughly 56,000 other LinkedIn Packer Page followers, I see the Victory Monday photos posted on the LinkedIn page of staff enjoying treats. I've yet to notice Mike and Wes show, nor Larry, for that matter. Hard to imagine a missed opportunity to free (non-stolen) lunch? Cheering for more Victory Mondays!

I was photographed once while talking with Mark Murphy. I looked very demure, very mindful.

Clipton from Pasadena, CA

Can you help me understand the scoring of Josh Allen's touchdown pass to himself? If a QB laterals to a RB on a pitchout who then scores, it's a rushing touchdown. So, if a player laterals to a QB who scores, why is it a passing touchdown?

It marked a receiving touchdown for Allen (as well as a passing touchdown) because the play started with a forward pass to Amari Cooper. It's no different than how the statisticians score laterals during an end-of-game situation.

AJ from San Jose, CA

If Aaron Rodgers was healthy last season and the Jets started 3-9, do you think the Jets would have benched him so they could keep their first-round draft pick? Is there a rule against doing that?

Did you see what happened with Daniel Jones this year? All is fair in football and finance.

Milan from New York, NY

Mike, Wes, I bought the Lombardi T-Shirt from the Packers Pro Shop. Now that it is connected to Amazon, a couple of clicks and it's done. Which brings me to the obvious. When is the PPS gonna sell Mike and Wes T-shirts? It will be a bestseller, a collector's item!

We're here, Packers Pro Shop. Have your people call my people…and by my people, I mean Ma Hod.

Jim from Eau Claire, WI

To answer Chuck from Santa Ana's question, a phone booth is where Superman changes his clothes.

Obviously.

Roly from Forest Hill, UK

Hey Wes/Mike, my brother and I are heading to Seattle from the UK for our annual Packers pilgrimage (a game in the U.S. since 2012). We're in conflict over the pep rally, I'm all for it and he wants to give it a miss…can you help me persuade him it's a must for any true green-and-gold-blooded fan? Thanks in advance.

Because it's my birthday? In all seriousness, the Packers Everywhere pep rallies are a lot of fun. Seattle is one of my favorite NFL cities, too. If you can convince him to go, I promise he won't be disappointed.

Corey from Richland, WA

Have you heard the latest story out of Arizona about Packer alum Chuck Cecil? I guess a man can be removed from the NFL, but the NFL cannot be removed from the man.

Cecil is built different, man. Cecil banging his head into a player's helmet reminded me of Ric Flair hitting himself in the head during pro-wrestling promos until he bled.

Caleb from Knoxville, TN

Is Mike Tomlin's zero losing seasons one of the most underrated triumphs of the last 20 years?

That's a credit to a first-ballot Hall of Fame coach and an impeccably run organization. Kevin Colbert and Omar Khan have done a great job on the personnel front in Pittsburgh, as well.

Lori from Brookfield, WI

Wes, while the questions pertaining to the Detroit game are very important, the vital question is, "When is the official 'Weston Day' in the Inbox?"

Maybe the Saturday before Outsider Inbox 2025.

Jim from Hudsonville, MI

Wes, if you or Spoff ever struggle to get through a tough Inbox session, just remember these fine words of wisdom from our head coach: "Ya gotta have a little 'F'-it in ya"!

That's the exact approach I took to Inbox last Saturday.

David from Goldsboro, NC

I remember back in the day an announcer saying it's hard to beat the same team twice and nearly impossible to beat them three times. We could face both Detroit and/or Minnesota three times and Seatle twice. A little early I know, just beat the Lions, but I'm curious to hear your thoughts on this statement.

I have no idea what's gonna happen Thursday night. I just know I can't wait to see it. Have a great Tuesday.