Inbox: Well, it depends

Monty from Velva, ND

Jordan Love's health…more pass rush…better LB play…better health in the secondary…consistency on the OL…what do you feel is the key for a second-half surge from good to great?

It ain't no accident you led with Love's health, Monty.

Tyler from Stetsonville, WI

If there's anything we learned from this past week: Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good. So close to a perfect week in the NFCN but end up only getting one of three. Time to get on a run and it starts Sunday in Chicago.

Good teams find ways to win in adverse situations. The Packers' 6-3 start speaks to that. Unfortunately, Detroit and Minnesota clawed out a few Ws themselves against the AFC South.

Ray from Phoenix, AZ

Eight games left and weather will be getting colder. Only two of those games in domes. Time for the running backs and kickers to step it up!

Really, that call goes to everyone on the roster, not just the running backs and kickers. This is Packers weather and Sunday's game at Soldier Field would be a great time to remind the NFL of that.

Eric from Wausau, WI

If you build it, they will come. In my humble opinion, the Bears' single-minded focus on finding the next great quarterback is misguided. They've had a bunch, and they almost always get masticated. If the Packers can execute and clean up their self-inflicted wounds, I am semi-confident that they can beat the Bears' TEAM. Also, isn't the beauty of having four running backs the idea that when one goes down, you have a next man up?

A lot isn't adding up for Chicago during this three-game losing streak, but at the end of the day, your quarterback can't get sacked nine times. Whether that's the offensive line not holding up or Caleb Williams holding onto the ball too long, it's tough to win in this league if your QB is getting hit that frequently. Williams' 38 sacks now pace the NFL, four more than C.J. Stroud. Conversely, Green Bay's QBs have been sacked a league-low 12 times.

Al from Green Bay, WI

Clearly the Bears are struggling, especially on the offensive side of the ball. If you're Mr. Hafley, are you inclined to dial up extra pressure on a struggling rookie QB, or do you bank on your front four being disruptive enough and maximizing coverage?

Well, it depends. Can the Packers get home regularly with four against Chicago's offensive line? If they can, there may not be a need to mix in five- or six-man blitzes as often. One way or another, Green Bay needs to apply pressure, because the Bears' offensive numbers since the bye have been startling: 18 punts, five turnovers on downs, four field goals, two touchdown runs, a lost fumble and a safety. Strangest of all, Williams has neither thrown a touchdown nor an interception. Here's hoping for more of the latter than the former.

Richard from Canton, GA

The Bears have yet to play a divisional opponent, but the Falcons and Saints have played five out of six games, with the final game in the final week. I get the NFL scheduling is a bit of a dark art, but doesn't that level of difference really skew the playoff picture for the whole conference?

It's crazy Chicago made it to Week 11 without playing an NFC North adversary. There are quirks to every schedule, but this year definitely seems to be heavier on the quirkiness than most years.

James from Appleton, WI

Here's my point of emphasis for the Bears game: Dear Packers secondary, when Caleb Williams is running around and holding the ball too long, keep yer mitts off the receivers. Chicago doesn't need any automatic first downs.

I feel like I need a "Mitts off" T-shirt now.

Lee from Denver, CO

Hi Wes, I'd like for you to share some of your vast (-ly more than my) experience in football. Personally, I think that the offense will come out of the break looking more polished, especially in the red zone, than before. The reason I say this is because Robert Saleh will have extended time to work with Matt LaFleur on the offense and how to adjust to defenses that are stymieing the Packers. What do you say? Do you think Saleh could have a big impact?

For sure, Saleh is definitely part of that. He's a brilliant football coach and uniquely positioned with his credentials to give LaFleur an honest synopsis of what the Packers' offense is doing well and what it needs to work on. Green Bay's offense is close, man. Considering everything that happened at QB, I feel that unit played well in the first half. It just needs to tie a few things up, namely the penalties.

David from Janesville, WI

Gents, Grant's comment about not hating division rivals any more likely has some roots in the changing times, but I think part of it is the Packers have just been so good for so long. When we got pounded by the Bears every season, they were easy to despise. You don't think Detroit remembers their decades of Wisconsin frustration? Look at the "greenbay sucks" sweatshirt on Amon-Ra St. Brown. Bears fans started "Green Bay sucks" chants in London. Pain makes it mean more, and we haven't hurt as much lately.

Smoke is forming around the firepit. I feel like the combustible elements are present for the Packers-Lions rivalry to mushroom in the coming years. It has just the right amount of competition and smack talk. Give it time.

Ross from Grand View, WI

It would seem that many of your questioners have never played a rough sport. An ankle injury is an especially hard one to get over if it's in the wrong spot. I twisted my ankle badly sliding into a home plate that wasn't properly set up. No breaks, no tears, immobilization would be no help. I was 19. Fifty-four years later, it still pains me every day. Seeing NFL players playing 3-4 weeks after a shoulder separation makes the hair on my neck stand up. Healing takes as long as it takes.

Football is a chess match with bruises. The average person couldn't imagine what an NFL player puts himself through to be out there every Sunday.

Jason from Austin, TX

Man, there is way too much stuff going on in this world for me to get upset about someone thinking about playing the Lions two more times … Anyways, I think our top two needs on offense coming off the bye week were ball security on the quarterback and better hands on the wide receivers with catching the ball. At this point in the season, is there any coaching that can be done to help improve catch rates or this more mental?

Improvement is not seasonal. It doesn't just arrive in summer and leave in early fall. It's a constant emphasis. There have been countless examples of young players making a monumental leap during the final month of the season. Kenny Clark's strong finishes to the 2017-18 seasons immediately pop into my head. So yeah, the Packers' pass-catching still can be rectified.

Lee from Sullivan, IN

There's always talk about teams copying and stealing plays from other teams. It all has to start somewhere. Do you recall the Packers being the first to run something that became common?

I wouldn't call it "common," but the misdirection receiver passes the Packers executed with Dontayvion Wicks last year. San Francisco ran the same play in the Super Bowl, resulting in Jauan Jennings completing a 21-yard pass to Christian McCaffrey.

Craig from Sussex, WI

Looks like Houston set a good example of how to play against the Lions. Did the Texans expose the Lions' weakness, or did they simply play them better than most other teams?

You don't have to be Jeff Hafley to know everything starts with containing the Lions' run game. Houston did a great job of bottling up the run and forced the game into Jared Goff's hands. Goff's five interceptions came on second-and-11 twice, first-and-10 twice and second-and-10. The Lions were able to overcome that, though, because of situational efficiency and the Detroit defense shutting down Houston's offense in the second half.

Mark from Mt. Vernon, WI

Good morning, lots of questions, concerns with Jordan Love throwing picks, and yes, it has been an issue, but I believe the rest of the games will be different. My question, with both Detroit and Minnesota having better records than the Pack, don't you think Jordan is the best QB in the division? My feeling is that the other two could be what keeps their teams from reaching their potential.

Dennis Krause asked me this same exact question before the Packers-Lions game and my answer remains the same. I respect everything Jared Goff has done this year, but Jordan Love is the best quarterback in the NFC North.

Pete from Ft Wayne, IN

With MarShawn Lloyd coming back. Do you keep four backs on the 53-man roster? Three backs on game day roster?

You keep the best 48 on the gameday roster. If that includes four running backs, then that's four running backs. Josh Jacobs, Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks can all play, but I still think Lloyd has something to offer, as well.

Gary from Davenport, IA

After watching those two Detroit field goals sneak through at the end of the game, a question came to mind: Would Gene Steratore's index card have fit between the football and upright on either of those kicks?

That photo should be hanging in Canton if it's not there already.

Sherman from Eureka, CA

In reference to the Lions game, has any team thrown five interceptions, or possibly more, and still won before?

George Blanda did it with the Houston Oilers in 1962. He threw six picks in a 28-23 win over Buffalo, one of two games Blanda threw six INTs that year. Former Lions quarterback Frank Sinkwich also threw six INTs in a 26-14 win over the Cleveland Rams on Nov. 26, 1944. Those were the only two instances I could find where a QB threw six-plus INTs and his team still won.

Ron from Mitchell, SD

Whenever I see a reference I think may be from a movie, TV show, book, etc., I highlight and search before pouncing...

Veteran move.

Kerry from Canyon Lake, TX

Dissenting voice to opinions in Monday's Inbox, and with all due respect to other fans, I really hate international games, and the Texans' red uniforms were hideous. What say you?

You can't stop what's coming, Kerry. International games are here to stay. Also, I wouldn't have minded Houston's alternative uniforms had the Texans been interested in playing football in them for a little longer Sunday night.

Thomas from Oviedo, FL

In the past Aaron Rodgers has slammed Gute for not providing enough "weapons." Do you think he's ready to admit that the offensive line is a QB's best weapon? The Packers' 30 years of greatness has largely been because of the O-line yet many teams don't copy that. Maybe they don't sell as many jerseys.

I'm a firm believer you build a football team from the inside out. A young QB is only as good as the offensive line protecting him. If a team doesn't have that piece figured out, the offense will suffer.

Stan from Pensacola, FL

Goff throws five picks but team wins, rarity? Want to say it was nice to see Preston Smith get a sack and another tackle for a loss in his first game with the Steelers, hope it continues for him. Bears week, protect the ball and get after Caleb, done deal.

Works for me.

Ashton from Dallas, TX

What determines which players get interviews postgame/during the week and which players don't? Do the players get to choose, or is it up to the organization? Seems to me that some players never get press time, and others speak to the media every single week.

During the week is catch as catch can. Love has a set availability but everything else kind of fluctuates. It's the same for beat writers postgame, but networks have a wish list for who appears on camera on the field. It starts with the TV network broadcasting the game and then goes to national radio and other affiliates.

Jeff from Mequon, WI

Hey Wes, I imagine you've seen the clip of Patrick Mahomes asking the referee to "let him know if the defense was close to him." Based on your experience, do you think this is being interpreted incorrectly as in implying Chiefs/Patrick Mahomes favoritism or is this more innocent than most folks seem to think?

We'll see what Mahomes and possibly the NFL have to say about it. Maybe that's common practice, but it was a new one to my ears. It certainly isn't gonna help quash the "NFL favors Mahomes" narrative.

John from Belleview, FL

In today's world of hateful comments on (un)social media, this is generally an oasis of reason and friendship. We just don't need name-calling in the Inbox. Can we all please just get along? Hod, Spoff and the gang do a great job of keeping us informed and entertained. Let's not ruin it! Thank you.

Hey, who you calling Hod?

Benjamin from Burlington, VT

I, for one, am thrilled that our II hosts write with a bit of an edge. It makes for an enjoyable culture to be supported by your boss to give a bit back of what you're getting in attitude, and when you can slip in an esoteric reference or some wordplay, all the better. Back when I was serving in an Irish pub, we called it "matching a table's energy" and believe it or not, we grew a lot of regulars out of brooking no fools. That is all; carry on as you were.

Insider Inbox: Where fools need not be brooked.

Eric from Erie, PA

Mike and Wes, I want to thank you both for the hard work you do. I am continuously glad that you still submit negative comments on the website showing that you guys also see the bad side of the comments. What I don't understand is the need to humiliate and undermine what you both do, if you don't like their work why read it? What is the point of treating you both the way they do? I just don't get it, spoiled brats if you ask me. Too much attacking each other these days.

We just need to play a football game again. I swear Inbox was more positive last year when the team was 3-6 than it is currently at 6-3.

Dustin from Kansas City, MO

I never realized till recently how big of (an obnoxious or contemptible person) some of our fellow fans really are. I'm really sorry you guys have to deal with that. I personally appreciate you both and the points you bring up, even if they don't always align perfectly with my views on a subject. Keep doing what you do and don't let the (unpleasant or despicable people) get you down!

We keep on keeping on. Listen, you can call Mike and me whatever names you choose but just know we're the only ones on the Packers' beat reading, and occasionally publishing, yours. Love us or hate us, we're here. We're always here.