Inbox: Jayden Reed opens up every offensive possibility

Josh from Green Bay, WI

There's no betting at Bushwood. However, which way are you leaning if Jordan Love will play on Sunday?

I'd say limited. Wait, that one doesn't quite work here, does it? Ask me again after the game.

Bret from Hertel, WI

Dear Wes, what are the keys to victory for the Packers with Jordan Love or Malik Willis as QB? Thanks!

Green Bay needs to run the ball well regardless of who's at quarterback. The opportunity is there for the Packers to get after that secondary, but it only can happen if they earn the respect of Minnesota's defensive front. I feel like the first 15 minutes are going to be critical in this one. As Spoff astutely pointed out in "Final Thoughts," Minnesota has jumped on the opponent early during its 3-0 start. Green Bay can't let that happen. Regardless of who starts at quarterback, Love or Willis must protect the football.

Lori from Brookfield, WI

Wes, thank you for the article on Malik Willis, and the community of men who have surrounded him, to help him and the team get fantastic results in his first two games. The stats are impressive. His humble spirit, dedication and work ethic are inspirational.

Willis has only been here for a month but carries himself much like Love in terms of his humility, character and professionalism. Those attributes go a long way in this league. It takes all 11 to win, but having belief in your QB sure makes the game a lot easier.

Al from Green Bay, WI

The undefeated Vikings will provide a formidable challenge, but Green Bay can rise to the occasion. Reasons to believe: 1) Lambeau Field. Don't underestimate the value of home cookin'. 2) Turnovers. The Green Bay D is disruptive and will force mistakes. 3) Offensive balance. GB has the No. 1 rushing offense, and potent receiving weapons. Play-action will be effective. 4) The coaching staff has been amazing already this year. From game planning to play calling, they have been stellar. GPG!

The Packers have taken an unconventional path to the NFL's top-ranked rushing offense, and I love what I've seen with pre-snap motions, read-option calls and flat-out making defenders miss. Green Bay needs to keep the creativity coming. Let's say Love is back for this one, I really want to see QB1 use his arm to spread out the Vikings' defense.

James from Appleton, WI

With Jordan Love possibly back, I just want to point out that the play on which he was injured was a pretty impressive effort. To find Josh Jacobs and get him the ball, and then for Jacobs to manage to run out of bounds and stop the clock. That seemed like step one in a magical finish. At last, let that interrupted magic continue.

In a spot where Love couldn't take a sack or intentional grounding penalty, either. The biggest jump I saw with Love this past summer was how active he was at the line of scrimmage and I'm excited for fans to see that side of leadership once he's back out there.

Mike from Baraboo, WI

How can the Packers counter the aggressive defensive schemes of the Vikings?

Staying disciplined, blocking the man in front of you and doing your job every play. Brian Flores is a brilliant mind, but the onus remains on the Vikings' defense to stop what Green Bay's offense is throwing at it. The best way to counter an aggressive, creative defensive scheme is with an aggressive, creative offense that doesn't hurt itself with procedural penalties.

Chase from Carmichael, CA

Hasn't Matt LaFleur wanted to get this creative with the run game since he arrived? Injuries and a lack of depth of certain skill sets seemed to have largely limited that. Now that BG has had a few years to find players with the right skill sets, and created some depth, seemingly addressed the soft-tissue injures, and has this extended opportunity to really reach into that part of the playbook, I think we're seeing MLF's vision for the run game finally come to light.

Perhaps. I also think having an all-around playmaker like Jayden Reed opens up every offensive possibility. I recently saw one statistic about how Reed and Deebo Samuel are the only NFL receivers since the start of the 2023 season with 200-plus rushing yards.

Chris from San Francisco, CA

Staying true to the weekly Noah Kahan theme, I think it's fair to say it's officially stick season...With that said, I think whichever team stays ahead of the sticks on Sunday and limits the negative yardage plays comes out on top. If only it were that simple?

That's where the penalties come into play. It's hard enough to plow through several 300-plus-pound men to earn yards. The Packers have thrived in third-and-long this season but can't live in those woods long term. Likewise, getting Aaron Jones to the ground is a challenge Sunday. Green Bay has dominated time of possession thus far. This would be a wonderful game to continue that trend.

Chas from Modena, WI

Will the Packers be able to contain Aaron Jones? I believe they can.

It won't be easy but must be done. The Packers have to bottle Jones up, rally to the ball and get No. 33 to the ground. Otherwise, as Green Bay has seen so many times before, the opposition is in for a very long afternoon.

Dan from Richmond, VA

And behold, the Messiah has been resurrected!

I'm glad Messiah Swinson is back in Green Bay. At 6-foot-7, 260 pounds, Swinson was one of my favorites from the 2024 undrafted rookie class. There's a path to the 53, too, due to Tyler Davis' unfortunate season-ending shoulder injury.

Gary from Chippewa Falls, WI

Every week the fan base is clamoring a player has a revenge game. Very few players are legitimately wronged by a former team. The players understand it's a business so the fans should also.

If anything, I think the more common occurrence in these "revenge" games is more a player's current teammates wanting to win for him against his former team. At least, that's how Christian Watson and the receivers approached Willis' return to Nashville last Sunday.

Chris from Waukesha, WI

Part of a QB's job pre-snap is to try to figure out what the defense intends to do. One of the reasons for pre-snap motion is to help the QB with that, based on how the defenders react to the motion(s). Another purpose to motion is to confuse the defense about what the offense intends to do. How much could fans expect motions to work to discern their intent and/or disguising our intent against a defense like Minnesota's, which is said to be very good at disguising its intent?

Pre-snap motions challenge a defense's rules and force it to declare intent. That's where a QB can gain an advantage in determining where he wants to go with the football. Much like Miami, I just think the Packers' overall speed is a huge obstacle for defenses trying to lock in on one specific aspect of Green Bay's offense.

Paul from Ledgeview, WI

Wes, do the Packers currently have the best 11 identified on both offense and defense, or will we see some players grow into their roles as the season progresses? I suspect it is the latter. Is the best indicator of the import of a particular player their snap count? We are able to observe the depth based on the number of players seeing the field, but are there also jars on the shelf … somewhere?

The Packers may not have as many "names" as the 2010, 2014 and 2020 teams, but this is the deepest Packers team I've covered when it comes to how many guys can play on either side of the ball and there not be a drop-off. I think the early-season rotations on the offensive line, defensive line, secondary, inside linebacker and receiver speaks to that. When injuries do strike like they did at cornerback and right guard, Green Bay was ready for it.

Dan from Algonquin, IL

Happy weekend II, you've said the gap between the best rosters and the worst rosters in the NFL is pretty slim. Would you say the same about head coaches? Which head coaches are on the highest tier right now (aside from MLF)?

I think the Packers are playing one of them Sunday. I have as much respect for Kevin O'Connell as any head coach in the league right now for what he's accomplished after season-ending injuries to Kirk Cousins and J.J. McCarthy. Along with LaFleur and O'Connell, I'd also say Andy Reid, Kyle Shanahan and Mike Tomlin.

Mutt from Blaine, MN

Which would be a bigger blow to the chances of winning, No. 23 or 10? Normally it's an easy answer but without Carrington Valentine, the secondary gets very thin in a hurry on the edges without Jaire Alexander. Here's hoping they both play, but for this particular game, who is more important?

That's difficult to answer because you could argue each player is the most important player on their respective side of the ball, especially in this game. If this groin injury keeps Alexander out, I imagine the Packers will have to make major changes not only to the secondary but also the defensive gameplan.

Mike from New Orleans, LA

When discussing long drives, defenses are often lauded for making an offense earn every yard and not giving up big plays. Offenses are often lauded for eating clock and wearing down the defense. Is this just a case of perspective where no matter which side you're on, you can point to a positive about your team?

Well, the idea is not to give up chunk plays because then it forces the opposing offense to run more plays, which in turns leads to more takeaway opportunities. If you can't turn over the ball, though, you lose the plot. That's the difference.

Chris from Chicago, IL

What are your thoughts on opposing players attempting a Lambeau Leap? I love Aaron, I will clap when he takes the field…but I might accidentally spill my beer while attempting his signature stiff arm if that scenario presents itself.

Again, I don't get all bent out of shape about this stuff like some fans. It's a game. People are having fun. If you don't want the Vikings doing Lambeau Leaps, then keep them out of your end zone.

Bill from Clive, IA

Guys, you've fielded several questions/comments this week about the "tone" of certain of your responses to fan submissions. I am always astounded by some of the questions that make it into Murphy's monthly "Takes 5" column. From angry rants to outright personal insults, he answers all sorts of submissions (except for mine, of course). And no matter how rude the complaint he's always diplomatic and tactful. He must be a proponent of the ancient proverb "a soft answer turns away wrath."

I'm a proponent of that mentality, but 312 Insider Inboxes each year tend to weaken the strongest man's constitution.

Mark from Salisbury, MD

Since the Vikings use a horn to hinder other teams, maybe we need our own team sound, the cutting of the cheese. This should put an end to all obnoxious sounds. Fight fire with fire, just don't light a match.

I'd settle for just cheering/waving/"Go Pack Go"ing at the appropriate time.

Margeaux from Tallahassee, FL

Well now that we survived a Cat-4 hurricane, we now can get down to real-life issues, moving tree limbs, er, I mean Packers vs. Vikings! GPG

All the best to you, Margeaux, and our Floridian friends. I'm glad to hear you're safe.

Brian from Chesapeake, VA

Wes, did I just hear a snort?

If I snort, you know it's a real laugh. It's my poker tell…like if Teddy KGB eats the Oreo cookie instead of placing it back down.

Steve from Ankeny, IA

We've got an upcoming divisional game with two teams playing very good football. Playoff implication. Sunny and 70 degrees. I will be there in my seats. If there is much purple in the crowd, it will be a sad statement for the Packers, and maybe time to change the way season tickets are sold. Do you have any thoughts on this?

"No excuses, Gold Package ticketholders" is becoming my version of "Limited."

Brian from Charlottesville, VA

To keep the Vikings from playing from in front, the Packers need to get the ball first and go down the field and score. It is better to have won the toss than to never have tossed at all. (OK, Mike's Tennyson reference was better, I'll leave now.)

It's almost like if the Packers win the toss, they should say, "We want the ball and…" never mind. Enjoy the game, folks.