Inbox: Intentionality wins in the critical moments

David from Janesville, WI

Wes, Mike is going to let you get beaned by the Bean! How does one prepare for that? I guess you could ask Demoski for a headbutt to season you a bit?

I would've expected that from Demoski. But Spoff? This will not stand, ya know? This aggression will not stand, man.

Jeff from Foothill Ranch, CA

What do you want to see on Sunday in Chicago that might tell you we're headed in the right direction? I think I just want to see health and execution. I want Sunday to be the best game we've played so far, but I want the game we play them in a few weeks to be even better, and so on.

Cutting down the penalties is at the top of my list. Football is hard. Receivers drop passes, quarterbacks miss open guys, and linemen get beat. It happens. Limiting the penalties is where a team can help itself. Superman is not needed when everyone is playing with discipline and staying ahead of the sticks. You can win with mistakes if you avoid the self-inflicted wounds. That's what I want to see in the second half.

Megan from Roseville, MN

Hoping, as I'm sure everyone is, that one of the improvements we'll see after the bye is a significant reduction in penalties, particularly pre-snap. Is there a way specific way teams work to address that? I'd imagine it's been a talking/teaching point every week, but interested in how they might drill that or adjust reduce those drive-killers.

To quote Josh Myers – and by proxy Mike Spofford’s prose – two words: Intentional focus. Like Spoff wrote earlier this week, everyone in the NFL is talented. Small details separate greatness. When the game is on the line – and it doesn't matter which sport you are playing – intentionality wins in the critical moments.

Dave from Pardeeville, WI

First and foremost, thank you both for what you do! I wish to apologize for all the rudeness and ignorance from those who think they know things. Your insights, knowledge, and humor are appreciated. Now, as for the Packers, I for one am not concerned. There's not a team in the league right now I am concerned about when the Packers are playing close to their potential. Perfect games don't exist, but if we play close to potential...look out! This team can still be scary good. GPG.

I think both optimists and contrarians can agree the Packers can play with anyone. Green Bay doesn't need to catch a team on a bad day in order to win. At the same time, playing clean for 60 minutes is where the Packers came up short in their losses to Philly, Minnesota and Detroit. To be the best, you must bring your best when your best is required.

Keith from Lincoln, IL

Which of our younger players need to get more snaps in the next four games so they are ready to make an impact in our last four games?

I feel like Edgerrin Cooper could use as many snaps as the Packers can give him. We all see the ability. He just needs to play. Green Bay is deep at inside linebacker, but it's more than just the listed position with Cooper. His emergence could be a major boon for the defense during a playoff push.

John from Jupiter, FL

Morning Wes. Vic used to occasionally reference a player playing "like his hair was on fire." Who would earn that reference today? Thanks.

Tucker Kraft. He's been a breakout star for the Packers this season whose contributions have been even more essential with Luke Musgrave landing on IR. Wanna know what's even scarier? Kraft shed the red non-contact jersey on Wednesday, which hopefully will allow a physical playmaker to play even that much more physical.

Bill from Wilmington, DE

Wes, how are our banged-up players coming along?

Outside of Colby Wooden (shoulder), everyone on the Packers' 52-man roster practiced on Wednesday. MarShawn Lloyd also was out there, opening his 21-day window to be activated from injured reserve.

Theresa from Sylvania, OH

Didn't the Packers create a spot on the active roster when they cut Preston Smith? Is that spot being held for MarShawn Lloyd or did I miss someone else taking that spot?

That spot remains open, but Brian Gutekunst floated the idea last week it could go to Lloyd when he's cleared. Again, we'll have to see where Lloyd is at. He's also listed with a hamstring injury at the moment.

Jason from Mt. Prospect, IL

What are your expectations for MarShawn Lloyd, given he is fully healthy and ready to go? I was surprised by the lack of usage for Emanuel Wilson the last few weeks. For some reason, Matt LaFleur almost completely gave Wilson's reps to Chris Brooks, it seems. With Lloyd added to the roster again, I wonder if we see Brooks anymore. I'm excited to see Lloyd on the field!

I've both written a story and opined in this column about how Brooks has the qualities teams desire in a third-down back. Brooks is playing because he's earned the reps with how well he's played. He can run, catch and is stout in pass protection. Again, once cleared, I assume Lloyd will be sprinkled into the offense just like Jordan Morgan, Cooper and Evan Williams have in their respective phases the past two months.

Nick from Plainwell, MI

Good morning, Insiders! Do you think we will see a little bit more play-action/rollout this game or the future? I can imagine there will be a heavy dose of Josh Jacobs this week and I'm sure coach LaFleur wants to play off the run game more.

That probably depends on the health of Love, who was a full participant on Wednesday. Teams can still run play-action out of the gun, but I feel Love's ability to go under center is the master key to the offense operating to its fullest potential.

Ray from Phoenix, AZ

Hard to believe that GB had beaten the Bears 10 games in a row. Now the Bears fire the OC. We SHOULD be pretty healthy and rested after the bye week, and we have lost two division games already so we cannot lose this game. WHY am I nervous about this game?

Because nothing can be taken for granted in this league.

Shanna from Corunna, IN

It's not a "trap" game it's a "tidy up" game. Tidy up the interceptions, dropped passes, penalties, etc. Tidy these things up and I like our chances. Stop sleeping on the Bears because they haven't beaten us in years, their D is NOT sleeping!

The Packers absolutely must treat this game like they're facing the 7-1 Lions all over again. Not only does Chicago have good players on both sides of the ball but it's also in that "Nothing to lose" stage after the firing of Shane Waldron. Also, the Bears are 4-0 this year when their offense scores more than 20 points.

Jeff from Mequon, WI

This team has shown its resilience and with a bye week I think we are all confident this team will come out looking cleaner and healthier than the previous weeks. Looking forward to Chicago, Caleb Williams has been sacked more than any other QB. If you're Hafley, are you blitzing early and often or do you sit back and see if the front four can do it on their own? This game has the feel of a "set the tone" attitude from the Packers. I wonder how aggressive our defense will be.

I want to add an amendment to what I wrote Tuesday. I didn't notice until yesterday that New England's blitz rate of 48.8% (per NFL Next Gen Stats) was the highest of any Chicago opponent this year. Williams' average time to throw of 2.79 seconds also was his worst since the first two weeks of the season. So, maybe there is something to be said for sending extra men to keep the pocket warm for Williams.

James from Appleton, WI

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say Luke Getsy and Shane Waldron are capable offensive coordinators. But in the NFL, QBs can't wait until receivers are wide open before throwing the ball or run around behind the line for 10 seconds. Do you think the worst thing you can do to Bears fans is sneak up and whisper in their ears, "Johnnnnny Mannnnzel"?

No chortling. Not after what happened last year against Carolina and Bryce Young. The stats are the stats, but you still can't take Williams lightly. I expect Chicago and Williams to come out swinging. The Bears need to stop the bleeding while the Packers are in pursuit of their first NFC North win. Only one outcome can be true Sunday.

Steve from Kansas City, MO

I see the Bears are changing things up, especially with a new OC. Does this mean they will be more unpredictable on offense? I sure hope our DC and defensive minds are prepared to make quick adjustments should the Bears debut a new offensive capability. How big a worry do you think this could be?

I'd expect more unscouted looks, but it goes back to your defensive fundamentals and keys. The Packers faced a Thomas Brown-led offense last December in Carolina, so possibly there's information to pull from there, too.

Bill from Bloomfield Hills, MI

The secret to the 1995 Rockets with the 11th-best regular season beating the top four teams was they were the defending champs who coasted through the season and turned it on for the playoffs. That's not uncommon in the NBA or NHL, but rare in the NFL. The "sleeping Giants" DL awoke for the playoffs to dominate, did the 2010 Packers have a similar awakening or was it more the overall young team maturing at the end of the season?

An analysis of the Jordan-less 1994-95 NBA season was not something I expected to wake up to Wednesday morning. Either way, I feel like the 2010 Packers were the perfect example of a young team improving and growing together. They lost some key veterans, but Aaron Rodgers, Clay Matthews, B.J. Raji, Jordy Nelson and many others were coming into their prime.

Chili from Muskego, WI

If you ask me, all this conjecture about Mahomes will continue until the NFL stops letting him exploit their safety rules. Every week, running backs and receivers are dealing with contact until they are practically in the stands, but Mahomes can get hit in bounds along the sideline by Jonathan Owens and pick up a free 15 yards. I think the extra scrutiny is warranted until it gets cleaned up.

That play lives rent free in my head.

Richard from Madison, WI

I'm pretty sure Vic Ketchman was the first, and you guys are worthy successors, but have any other teams discovered the value of having their own insider inboxes? Or is this still an exclusive perk of being a Packers fan?

Most teams don't have the interest or resources to pull off a daily Q&A. Those that try usually settle for a weekly or bimonthly mailbag.

Michael from New Berlin, WI

Not really a question, just a scenario where I saw the name Hodkiewicz and Wes wasn't in front. I work in transportation and recently worked with your cousin Nick. Greatness must run in the family – great writing from you and great service from Nick. Hope it adds to the family Thanksgiving conversation. Keep up the great work, both of you!

The Hodkiewicz family: Providing great writing and service since our great-great grandpa, Hilary, deboarded at Ellis Island.

Matt from Bloomington, IN

Maybe next year you should produce a bye week "What You Might've Missed." It could be a theme with examples spread across several games. Or just be some clips of Mike editing the Insider Inbox. I bet you'd get some clicks no matter what.

I appreciate your desire to consume our content, Matt. I mean that. But I also can't help but laugh when people think Spoff and I are actively looking for more things to do.

Connor from St Cloud, MN
So many of your readers don't acknowledge that you guys get ugly at times towards readers who haven't attacked you personally but instead express frustration with the team. It's a part of humanity that we all share, and it won't go away because we're all guilty by nature. I won't even ask you to keep it edgy, because you have no choice! It's built in. Now, just beat the Bears, or I'm gonna be sending some expletives your way.

Is that you father? I feel seen.

Ron from Mitchell, SD

When another II follower uses my comment in their comment, does that mean I've finally arrived? "Whenever I see a reference, I think may be from a movie, TV show, book, etc.," I look it up not to pounce, but for self-betterment. I might find something I haven't seen or read and end up checking it out. I do it to learn. There's not enough of that these days. I guess that's a small taste of what you guys go through every day... GPG!

You've officially cracked the code.

Thomas from Cedar Rapids, IA

Close the book on looking ahead more than one game because it is similar to looking back two games. Because before was was was, was was is. And if was is is, then what will be is what will be until was is is. My head hurts. Just beat the Bears.

Where's the Tylenol?