John from Phoenix, AZ

Spoff shuns the use of "antepenultimate" one day in the Inbox and Wes drops "concomitantly" the following day. How disconsonant.

And once again we're off, so we might as well get going.

Tom from Cambridge, MA

Hmmm … "the focus on containing him impacted the overall consistency of the pass rush, though. It's a game of give and take." Are you saying You Can't Hurry Love (back from his injury)?

Oh, brother. Please see yourself out.

Glen from Leesburg, VA

I keep reading that the Packers haven't ruled out Jordan Love for the Colts game. While the likelihood of him playing is slim to none, does it sound like the injury wasn't as bad as thought and he would have a strong chance of coming back next week or the following? Obviously, the medical staff will have a lot to say about that, but just wanted to see if you had any insight on QB1's return to the lineup.

I don't have any particular insight, and I agree with your reading of the tea leaves. I've seen numerous submissions asking whether the Packers are just engaging in gamesmanship with regard to Love's status this week. Perhaps that's all it is, and we'll see how Love is listed on the final injury report later today – out, doubtful or questionable. If it's the last of those three, then it's truly an eye-opener because the chance to play is legitimate. LaFleur did tell Larry on the coach's weekly show that he considers Love's injury day to day.

Steve from Algoma, WI

For every Packers fan gnashing teeth over the need to get the running game going (which would be a plus) and rely on the defense and special teams to carry the team if JL misses Sunday's game, I present exhibit A: Tommy "Cutlets" DeVito. You never know. Prepare like you intend to win the game, give it your all, and see what happens.

I don't care how the Packers get the win or who makes it happen. This game is winnable no matter who's at QB.

Mike from Baraboo, WI

What can the coaches do to play to the strengths of our new backup QB?

They have to learn his strengths as quickly as possible first, which is accomplished through practice reps and open communication.

Craig from Appleton, WI

Does having been on a team in the same division as Indianapolis for a few years give Malik Willis any sort of leg up in preparing for the game this week? Thinking at least he has been there for film study on how to attack the defense.

A little familiarity doesn't hurt, but preparing for a defense is far from playing against it.

Josh from Seattle, WA

Thanks for all the great content! We are going to need a great team effort on Sunday, and a strong start is my key to the game. We don't want to get behind, we want to run the ball with a lead and bleed the clock. Winning the points off turnovers battle is a more accurate way to discuss the importance of turnovers IMO. To support my case look at the last week and the 2014 and 2020 NFC Championship games. Can we shift the conversation around turnovers to points off turnovers?

That's valid, and 9-7 last week certainly didn't maximize on the 3-1 edge. Though points off turnovers aren't as crucial if you don't turn the ball over yourself. Then simply winning the category, certainly by more than one, is often enough.

TK from Grafton, WI

I'd be shocked and disappointed if neither of you loves "The Princess Bride." One scene has the "genius" trying to figure out which wine goblet has the poison. I bring it up because this Sunday's game could mirror it: to assist Malik, the Packers will likely lean on the run. But the Colts know that, so they'll adjust their D. But the Packers know the Colts know that, so maybe they'll come out throwing. But the Colts know that the Packers know that…

It's rock, paper, scissors, lizard, Spock … amplified to the 73rd power.

Jeff from Foothill Ranch, CA

Hi Mike, looking at the injury report for Indy, how significant is it for them with those three defenders having DNP next to their names so far this week?

It certainly caught my eye.

Rob from Orlando, FL

Hi Insiders, I thought that having more defensive linemen meant more DL rotations to keep everyone fresh. I know it's one game but it seemed like the 1's were out there until they got exhausted THEN the rotations began, at least that is what it appeared like. Is that how it was in actuality and how it is/was designed to be?

The snap counts from the game indicate a decent mixture. Of the defense's 76 snaps, Kenny Clark (56), Preston Smith (54) and Rashan Gary (49) played the most, but they were all in the 60-75% range, which I wouldn't consider overworked. After that, it was T.J. Slaton with 40, Devonte Wyatt 36, Kingsley Enagbare 30, Karl Brooks 20 and Lukas Van Ness 19.

Bryan from Oshkosh, WI

I submitted a similar question in the midst of the game on Friday, and admittedly I went a bit off the rails. But I am curious for an answer, so this intro notwithstanding I'll restate it here and try to be a bit more succinct. Could the NFL please make a point of emphasis to simply throw less flags? It slows the game down, eliminates the ability for fans to appropriately react to plays on the field, and generally damages the product.

A point of emphasis on infractions being required to materially affect the play would be refreshing, yes.

Herbert from Palm Desert, CA

Good morning, Mike. I feel that fans are far too critical of NFL referees. While I have my own pet peeves about how games are officiated, I also understand that refs are making calls in real time, on the move and from only one angle. TV viewers get to see it in slow motion from multiple camera angles. As a coach for most of my life, I used to tell my players that when we make fewer mistakes than the referees, we can blame them for loss. Aren't we guilty for being overly critical?

Their job is difficult. Nobody should deny that. And my face remains blue from insisting the league take the safety calls off their plate and leave them to replay. But bigger picture, the problem as I've said numerous times is the technology (camera angles, slo-mo, etc.) showing results for the tens of millions watching on TV that don't match what is called on the field. That's a massive credibility issue for any televised sports league, and the NFL is the most-watched one, by far.

Jim from Blythewood, SC

10-4 on the NFL looking at the fields for international games. Those soccer fields are designed for 160-pound guys running around in shorts playing a non-contact sport. Then the NFL comes in and you have 300-pound guys, in football armor and cleats, digging in to push each other around, or 200-pound guys running and cutting. It's like using bowling balls on a pool table.

Point well taken. There's a reason they have a separate synthetic turf for NFL games hidden underneath the hybrid grass soccer surface at Tottenham in London. They just roll off the soccer pitch and voila. I still think some burden rests with professional athletes to do everything they can to make sure they have the proper footwear to play their best, especially on an unfamiliar surface. But that field wasn't up to NFL standards.

Scott from St. Cloud, FL

If you know, just how much money was the (Peacock) game worth to the teams and the NFL? Thanks.

I couldn't find any specifics. I know Peacock paid around $110M for an exclusive stream of a wild-card playoff game last January. I suspect last Friday's opportunity was somehow part of the broader deal with NBC/SNF, so pinpointing a rights fee is practically impossible.

Brian from Cambridge, WI

"… the NFL's arcane determination of a team's home market being within a 75-mile radius." According to Google Maps, the Capitol in Madison to City Hall in Milwaukee is only 74.46 miles as the crow flies. Should be good enough to get Madison TV stations as "home" stations for all broadcasts as well. Can you start a petition to the league?

Only the Shadow knows how the distance is actually measured.

Mike from Franksville, WI

In response to playing in preseason, I'm old enough to remember Desmond Bishop, B.J. Raji, and Jordy Nelson all suffering needless season-ending injuries in preseason games. Following Nelson's injury Mike McCarthy seemed much more apt to hold starters out of the preseason for the remainder of his tenure. His opening week record those final three years? 3-0. Call me crazy, but maybe not much separates one NFL team from another, and it's better to guarantee all hands will be on deck for Week 1?

Amen. And if anyone thinks the '12 and '14 defenses and '15 offense didn't suffer greatly over the long haul as a result of those injuries, I can't help you. That hamstring injury wrecked Bishop's career, and Raji played only one more season after the torn bicep. Fortunately, Nelson came back strong from the ACL, but the point still stands.

Jennifer from Middleton, WI

Ooh! Spoff! I just finished (Tuesday's) "Unscripted." Great episode. You made me laugh with your brutally honest thoughts on some penalties, the tilt toward offense, the NFC North games. You must've had an extra Diet Coke. While you are always forthcoming on your thoughts, it felt like you and Wes forgot the camera was on a couple times and we were just hanging out together. What other team does that for their fans? Thanks boys.

Appreciate the kind words, and I guess I was a bit talkative after the Brazil-induced break between episodes. But I wouldn't drink a Diet Coke (or any diet soda for that matter) unless it were the last beverage on earth. While I could certainly stand to lose a few pounds, I absolutely cannot stomach artificial sweeteners.

Jason from Lake Onion, MI

Jordan Love's injury is obviously unfortunate, but it serves to mask two underlying issues the team has, in regard to title hopes. IMHO, teams with SB aspirations are usually dominant up front on both sides and also possess players who tilt the field. The Packers are a good team and this should still be a fun season to watch, but they simply are lacking in those areas. SB teams typically have a few game-changers and history shows us the roster has no comps like No. 4, 36, 92, 12, 21 and 52.

I need to see the season play out before making such a declaration. Love was as good or better than any QB in the league for two months last winter, and several young players around him are still finding their way. The Packers are younger than they usually are up front on offense, and the defense is working on a transition. I think this roster possesses several players who can tilt the field but haven't necessarily reached that level yet and it isn't known if they will or won't.

Sam from Ronan, MT

It is always interesting to see the overreaction from Week 1 in the NFL. Remember when Aaron Rodgers had a disastrous performance against the Saints in Week 1 of the 2021 NFL season, then turned around and won MVP that same year? Kyle Brandt on "Good Morning Football" said it best when he said, "Week 1 is a liar!"

If I'm diving into a 500-page book, I'm not writing my review after 30 pages.

Donovan from Beaumont, TX

Last season it took this mostly young team a half season to start smoothing out the ups and downs. Can we please wait at least another week to see if this barely older group will start leveling its play a little faster than the year before? This would be called growth from one season to the next. Not just one game.

That's basically the point I made repeatedly in the immediate aftermath of Brazil. Judgment won't be entirely fair for as long as Love is out, and then he'll need to get reacclimated again as well, but it's all a process.

Erwin from Leesburg, GA

I know, I know! Numbers are not allowed so no numbers. If the Pack were to lose Sunday, based on data the chances of them making the playoffs is about 11-13%. I knew the chances were low but that surprised me. It's a long season and the new playoff format might have changed that percentage some. Based on your belief how important is this game? I realize all games are important so how do you view this game when it comes to the season's outcome? II is a pleasure. Thank you!

Just beat the Colts. Happy Friday.