Inbox: It was preparation, motivation and execution all coming together

Rich from Fort Lauderdale, FL

I enjoy on-the-edge football way more than blowouts. So far this is an exciting season, "Are you not entertained?" If we just barely won our way to a Super Bowl, would there still be unhappy letters in the Inbox?

To quote Josh Jacobs from the postgame locker room: "Good teams always find a way to win. We trying to be a good team. We trying to take that next step. If this was the Super Bowl, we'd be celebrating right now, so it is what it is." Every win brings a team closer to the goal.

Clem from La Crosse, WI

I know that you take what the defense gives you, therefore lots of running plays against the Bears, but will running the ball result in lower-scoring, close games? Asking on behalf of my heart rate.

The Packers needed to run the ball and stay ahead of the sticks. Chicago is just too good on third downs (fourth) and takeaways (tied seventh), especially when the opposition is sitting in third-and-long. The Bears were 24th in the league against the run entering Week 11. With Jacobs in the backfield, I would've run right at Chicago, too.

Steve from Luxemburg, WI

A win is a win. Kudos to the "We-fense" coaching staff for their research. I cannot remember a Packer win with such a negative snap count disparity (46 on offense, 72 on defense) without ST point contribution (KR/PRs for TD or significant field position). Explosive play offense and (I hate to say it) "Bend but don't break" defense. Since the Lombardi era began, is this close to the fewest Packers offensive snaps in a Packer victory?

Possessions were at an absolute premium, which is why Green Bay went for it on fourth down in the red zone. The block won the game, but explosive plays put the Packers in position to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

Alan from Mount Auburn, IL

Concerning the interception Jordan Love threw, the replays show Tucker Kraft retracting his hands as the ball approaches. Did he think the pass was intended for someone else? Did he misjudge his jump? Has he been asked about the pass?

Kraft spoke in the locker room, but I was occupied with Karl Brooks and Co. LaFleur was asked about the sequence on Monday, though. While LaFleur hadn't talked directly with Kraft about the play, the head coach still thought the ball sailed out of his tight end's reach.

Pete from Chippewa Falls, WI

Not to be a party pooper, but why weren't the Packers flagged on the blocked FG for bull-rushing the long snapper? I thought you couldn't do that. Packers had three guys up the middle bull-rush the long snapper and I believe that is illegal. Curious if the special teams coordinator schemed it up that way because you can't do that.

Another topic that was broached with LaFleur, who didn't go into detail about the play but pointed out how there were several plays that could've been flagged throughout the course of the game. At the end of the day, you gotta play above it. I wholeheartedly agree with that summation. As long as we're perseverating over balls and strikes, I will mention the Bears were gifted an unnecessary roughness penalty on Xavier McKinney early in the game that led to an early field goal.

David from Hahira, GA

What do you know about game ball distribution? While Karl Brooks' recognition was obvious, I feel many fans think Christian Watson earned the leather totem this week as well. Maybe II readers can submit game ball nominees moving forward. I officially recognize Watson for honor this week!

Watson's performance Sunday is why I continue to open my Microsoft word document and pontificate the importance of Watson to this offense. First, he's a selfless leader who wants his team to win. I don't know if Watson has ever met Jordy Nelson, but dude is cut from the same fabric. Secondly, he's insanely gifted. Most of all, it was great to see Watson get going in the downfield passing game. The Packers will need more of that to realize a championship this season.

Graydon from Menomonie, WI

When the Packers have a Sunday game, the Monday Inbox always is focused on Sunday's game. Tuesday's Inbox shifts focus on to the upcoming week's opponent. What are your keys to the game vs. San Francisco?

I'd argue Tuesday's Inbox only shifts focus to the upcoming opponent if the Packers win. Otherwise, there's still plenty of Tuesday morning quarterbacking going on. At any rate, this is huge game for both teams. The Packers need to hold serve at home and earn another NFC victory while San Francisco is coming off a gut-wrenching loss to Seattle. Despite the injuries, the 49ers are still dangerous. Their defense is still solid, and Christian McCaffrey is back.

Bruce from Jackson, WI

Hey Wes, the Packer Nation is living a dream! That being that the team still has time to peak going into the playoffs. How many wins (convincing wins) in a row does a team need to have to be considered peaking? A convincing win against the 49ers this weekend would be a nice start. GPG!

But a convincing win over the 49ers means nothing if you sit on eight wins the rest of the year. The style points are for the fans. Improvement is what matters. If you need a reminder of that, listen to Patrick Mahomes' postgame news conference from Sunday. There are teams that hope to win and those that expect it. The latter are often the ones playing well into January.

Joel from Story City, IA

Wes, can you provide any insight on the CB rotation? It seems Javon Bullard has taken over nickel, Keisean Nixon has moved to boundary, and Carrington Valentine has moved ahead of Eric Stokes. Apart from snap counts, what do your eyes and ears tell you?

You pretty much hit the nail on the noggin. It's a week-to-week league but the snap counts were what they were. Valentine played 64 snaps compared to Stokes' four.

Brian from Twain Harte, CA

What really stood out for me in the Bears game was the inability for the Packers' defense to set the edge. I knew Preston Smith would be missed, but I was surprised that it would be so blatant and so soon.

Eric Walden and Preston Smith are the two best edge-setting ends I've covered in Green Bay and neither got nearly enough credit for it. So, that is one area I knew the Packers would miss Preston. The good news is it's teachable and correctable. It's all about fundamentals.

Wayne from Stevens Points, WI

I keep telling myself "a win is a win" but I am still not happy, maybe tomorrow. Caleb had 70 yards rushing on nine carries. And how many of those runs and yards were to his left side? Who was supposed to be setting the edge and was getting washed away instead?

I don't disagree the Packers need to do a better job on those scrambles, but it also was obvious a major point of emphasis with the change in offensive coordinator was for Caleb Williams to run more. Curious to see if that's something the Bears continue to do under Thomas Brown.

John from Temple City, CA

Credit must be given to Rich Bisaccia for dialing that one up. Cairo Santos kicks a low ball, so we put five guys to their three up the middle. Karl Brooks got great penetration and the Bears blocker Pryor, I think, winds up past the three Packers. Just win baby!

The field goal block was something to behold. It was preparation, motivation and execution all coming together in an awesome wave. It was the very definition of complementary football. As LaFleur said Monday, the Packers have won three games as time expired this year and each time it was special teams coming up big.

Doug from Brooklyn Park, MN

Full circle moment for me...my very first game at Lambeau was Nov. 7, 1999. Packers were driving for the game-winning FG and Ray Rhodes had Brett Favre kneel three times to put the ball in the middle of the field for Ryan Longwell to kick a game-winning field goal...which the Bears blocked. It was nice to see us get revenge for that game...25 years later.

Time is a flat circle.

Rex from Laramie, WY

This occurred to me about 2 a.m. after the game. A blocked field goal is still a live ball, isn't it? (e.g. Chester Marcol). In all the celebrating after the block, I couldn't tell if there was someone near the goal line to field the kick. Could he have run it back, or (heaven forbid) the Bears pick it up and advance it? Please answer me so I can at least get some sleep tonight.

The kicking team can't advance the block if it goes past the line of scrimmage. The only way it can retake possession, unless the ball is behind the line, is if the opponent touches the ball and makes it live again.

Bill from Menominee, MI

On the third-down scramble by Love prior to the fourth-down goal-to-go stop, he did not force a dangerous throw at a covered receiver. Progress? Learning from mistakes? Looking for a positive here.

Big picture was in play there, for sure. As much as you want to score, you absolutely cannot throw an interception there and give the Bears the ball at the 20. Chicago taking over at its own 2 allowed Green Bay's defense to eventually get off the field without any additional points on the board.

Ray from Phoenix, AZ

Shout out to the Packers HOF Inc. for announcing they will be inducting Mark Murphy into the Packers HOF approx. one month after his forced retirement. The accomplishments under his Presidency/CEO have been AMAZING! He always gave credit to others, but we all know his leadership was the driving force. His humility with those who criticized him, especially the fans on Murphy Takes Five, says it all. Contrasts Mr. Murphy – and thank you!

Any casual reader of this column knows my feelings on Murphy – not only his immense impact on the Packers organization but also as the CEO of the company for which I work. Mark Murphy is salt of the earth. He doesn't seek adulation but is more than deserving for everything he's done for this franchise. We still have a way to go, including a hopeful playoff run and hosting the 2025 NFL Draft, but I can think of no better capstone to Murphy's 17-year tenure here than an induction into the Packers Hall of Fame next summer. It will be a joyous day.

George from Edinburg, VA

I remember Bob Harlan's retirement, wondering if anyone would ever make such an incredible contribution to the Packers ever again. Then they struck gold again with Mark Murphy. Happy he is to be inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame.

Ted Thompson always talked about the stewardship role of Packers leadership being to keep the light shining on this special place. Murphy did that while also leading with dignity, class and vision.

Jamey from Arvada, CO

I know last week's mantra was "just beat the Bears" but I didn't think that meant "juuuust beat the Bears." Seeing Detroit and Minnesota take care of business Sunday indicated some separation to me in the NFC North. I know there's still a lot of room for improvement and I'm hopeful we'll put it together at the right time, but is this team underachieving or are we simply just a year or two away from where the Lions are?

The Packers are 7-3. I have a hard time understanding how that can be quantified as underachieving, especially when their three losses came by a total of 17 points to the top three teams in the NFC. Green Bay has as much upside as any team in the NFL, but it's right there to compete for a world championship in 2024-25.

Keith from North Muskegon, MI

Good day Wes! My personal opinion of this team's all-over-the-place play has to have something to do with age and maturity. However, third-and-really-long is something our D has given up often long before Jeff Hafley arrived. How does DC Wes address and fix this?

Finish and execute. You gotta be somewhat conservative on third-and-19 because you can't risk a defensive holding penalty giving Chicago a way out. Still, Kingsley Enagbare was right there but left his feet and Caleb Williams slipped the pocket. Then, Rome Odunze made an unreal catch on fourth-and-3.

Jimmy from Rockford, IL

Damn! I never imagined I would see a Bukowski quote in the Inbox. I discovered him when I worked at a bookstore in my 20s and subsequently devoured every book of his I could find. Thanks Wes, you made my day with that one. Go Pack Go!

For someone like me with an externally sunny deposition on life, you might be surprised to learn my three favorite writers are Bukowski, Burroughs and Poe.

Tim from Olathe, KS

Insiders, Mike's story about Vic and the nasty flight turbulence made me wonder if any players are anxious flyers? After a flight like that I would not look forward to my next flight.

What is the deal with terrible turbulence after season-ending losses? The same thing happened coming back from Atlanta in 2016 and San Francisco/Santa Clara in 2019. I've probably shared this story before, but I will never forget backup quarterback Joe Callahan and I sharing a glance after the plane smacked the runway after the loss to the Falcons. It's the hardest landing I've ever experienced.

Clipton from Pasadena, CA

I'm not sure if sympathy for the Bears is allowed in the Inbox but I genuinely feel sorry for them. After outplaying us the entire game they not only lose on the very last play but because of an extended Packers middle finger. Ouch.

That's big of you, Clipton, but please know those Chicago fans were ready to give you a proverbial middle finger if that kick goes through the uprights. The block not only preserved a Packers win but also silenced a fanbase looking to chortle at your misfortune.

Brian from Fort Atkinson, WI

Not so much a question, but an observation. The Packers win a game that in many people's eyes they probably didn't deserve to by blocking a last-second field goal. The story line after is, they were lucky to win. The Chiefs did the exact same thing a week earlier, and the story line by the same media people is, that is exactly what championship-caliber teams do. They find a way to win, no matter how the game has gone. The Chiefs' season has looked a lot like the Packers' this year.

The public paints whatever narrative it sees fit. So be it. All that matters to the Packers is they secured win No. 7. You learn from the mistakes and channel that towards beating the 49ers. Period. End of story.