Inbox: That matchup is football at its finest

Benjamin from Burlington, VT

Loved the Noah Kahan lyric usage from Weston. After the "Christmas Vacation" challenge recently, are you gents going to see how many references you can pack in per column inch? Whatever your goal is, I'll take the over.

Over is always a safe bet, though Mike and I are getting sneakier. I very much enjoy Noah's music and felt the "Northern Attitude" reference appropriate, though my fandom pales in comparison to my friends Olivia Hoffmann and Tessa Ruid; both of whom are much cooler than I am.

Shaun from Cottage Grove, WI

I know it's been asked, but it must be nice to feel like you don't have to rush Jordan Love back!

This is why NFL teams plan, not panic. Love can't come back soon enough, but the Packers winning these two games without QB1 says a lot not only about Malik Willis but also the culture in that locker room. Green Bay still has work to do but has the makings of a good football team.

Austin from Woodstock, IL

I, too, find the conversation on sitting Jordan Love an extra week even when he's ready ridiculous. Something I am excited about though is once Love is back, Willis will be able to start leading the scout offense. Have to expect that can only be a positive for our defense to have to train against someone day in and day out who can play as well as he can.

Iron sharpens iron, right? I remember De'Vondre Campbell talking a couple years ago about the strong looks Love was giving the starting defense in practice in 2021-22. Hopefully, Willis can do the same once No. 10 is back.

Douglas from Parker, CO

Is the new defensive scheme we are running more conducive to man-to-man coverage? I would love to see Jaire Alexander cover Justin Jefferson the whole game.

I think the scheme lends itself to Alexander traveling with top wideouts more, but the sample size is still too small to guess what Jeff Hafley and Co. have in mind. I stand in total agreement, though. I'd love nothing more than to see Alexander shadow Jefferson for a majority of the game. That matchup is football at its finest.

Jeff from Indian Lake, NY

I know it's players, not plays. But Spoff's description of the way Brian Flores has that Vikings D playing has me thinking this week it could be coaches, not plays. Coach Matt LaFleur and Co. have dialed up excellent game plans with a backup quarterback the last two weeks. What will they draw up against the 3-0 division rival? Will it be the Love show or will the Willis train keep rolling? Get your popcorn ready.

I said on Tuesday’s “Packers Unscripted” that Week 4 divisional games like these are the reason I like how the Packers' schedule aligned this year. Both Green Bay and Minnesota started the year against three non-NFC North opponents and now come together for a fairly high-stakes September meeting. The chess match between LaFleur and Flores should make for excellent theater, and we all get to watch.

Josh from Seattle, WA

How does MLF look at the chess match of building a playbook, but then not revealing the whole playbook in any one game? He clearly had wrinkles to the Titans game plan based off how he called the Colts game. Excited to add Love soon and add more unscouted looks to the opponents!

The Packers stock their groceries during training camp and pull from those cupboards throughout the course of a season. Sure, LaFleur and his staff might add a wrinkle or two here and there, but the bulk of the playbook is already installed once the season begins. It's just how you weave all the concepts together depending on the gameplan.

Dave from one mile from the Stadium, WI

II gurus, what steps will the coaching staff take to help the offense decipher the confusing defense that Flores is running? Can they leverage the late-season tape from last year when his defense struggled?

Every defense has its weaknesses. The offense must identify and attack. On a micro level, it's just reminding players to trust their training and not let all the window dressing distract them from the objective. Easier said than done, I know, but it's still gotta happen to win.

Jeff from Mequon, WI

One could say Week 2 was Josh Jacobs' coming-out party as a Packer with all those rush yards, but since he has yet to score a touchdown, I'd like for this Sunday at Lambeau to be his real coming-out party. How has Minnesota's run defense looked and what do the Packers need to do to establish his presence regardless of who plays QB?

Statistically, Minnesota is tied for the second-best run defense in the NFL through the first three weeks (71.3 yards per game). The Vikings also rank third in fewest yards allowed per play (3.57). I don't think it's been one specific player, though. Minnesota has some physical linemen up front and active linebackers plugging gaps. Former Badger Andrew Van Ginkel is off to a great start, too.

Adam from Atlanta, GA

Does Aaron Jones’s wonderful message also have you guys finding a quiet place to cry at work? One of the greatest human beings I've ever had the privilege of cheering for.

I expected nothing less from Aaron. I was walking into work Wednesday morning when the Players Tribune notification popped up. I immediately thought to myself, "All right, I guess I need to find some tissues quick."

Greg from Perkasie, PA

I don't think I'm emotionally prepared to see Aaron Jones running around Lambeau Field in purple.

If you haven't read the article, Jones recounted his time in Green Bay and the love he'll forever carry in his heart for the Packers and their fans. It won't be easy watching No. 33 out there in a Vikings uniform on Sunday, but I also can't wait to see Aaron. He's cut from the finest cloth a person can be made from. Jones' connection to the city and people of Green Bay will last well past his playing career.

Dustin from Kansas City, MO

I just read the letter Jones wrote to Green Bay ahead of his return. Even though his sombrero is the wrong color these days, I sure hope the fans in attendance give him the welcome back he deserves on Sunday. Don't get me wrong, I also hope we keep him contained for four quarters and send him home with his first loss as a Viking. Regardless though, he really is the classiest of class acts and this letter is just one more example of that.

I would be shocked if Aaron received anything other than a loud ovation from the Lambeau Field crowd. Many former Packers have trekked across the Mississippi, but this one feels the most wholesome. Jones is grateful for the Packers taking a chance on him, but this is a job and he's got a family to care for. It's not personal. It's business. That goes for the Packers, too. They have to find answers for Jones, who's still a major problem for defenses at 29 years young.

Caleb from Leadville, CO

Aggregate numbers show Minnesota at 31st in pass pro while the Titans were 30th. Before counting sacks, best beware of screens and draws, backend will be responsible for covering a lot of ground. But will QB pressures and sacks bring Sam Darnold back to his norm?

Defense starts with discipline, especially with how quickly Jones can burn a defense in the open field. The Packers were able to pin their ears back in the second half in Nashville because of good technique and takeaways early on. Getting after Darnold is absolutely a must, though. You can't let him stand back there and dice you up.

Al from Green Bay, WI

The Vikings fan base is energized. How much purple do you expect to see at Lambeau Field Sunday?

It's a noon game. No excuses, Gold package ticketholders.

Daniel from Jackson, WI

Which Vikings QB has the most TD passes against the Packers.

Fran Tarkenton (33). He also has the most INTs (34).

Patrick from Coppell, TX

Greetings Mike and Wes, I may have missed it but what is the story with Colby Wooden? I assumed he would be an integral part of the D-line rotation this year and he appears to have been a healthy scratch the last two games. Is that the case or is he injured? I don't see him on an injury report. Thank you.

It's something to monitor, but the Packers played a lot of nickel the past two weeks and are deploying a third-down package with only the edge rushers. I felt Wooden had a good camp. The added weight has helped him. Wooden just happens to play one of the healthiest positions on the roster the past two years.

Ross from Summerville, SC

Gents, how has Eric Stokes looked so far at CB? Haven't heard a whole lot about him so he must be playing well.

I like what I've seen from Stokes so far and he's only going to get better with more snaps. As Stokes admitted a couple weeks ago, anyone who lines up on the opposite side of the field from Alexander is going to see his share of targets. DeAndre Hopkins got a couple on Stokes in Tennessee, but he kept battling. Hopefully, Stokes is the next entrant to the pick party. That would give offenses a little more to think about.

Chris from West Allis, WI

Catching up on "Packers Unscripted" and wanted to chime in on the kicker situation. The encouraging thing about Brayden Narveson is that 1) he hasn't missed any chip shots and 2) his misses have been consistent. Yes, if the misses are consistent, you would hope they had been fixed by now, but just ask any golfer if they'd rather have a consistent miss or misses in both directions. You'll get the same answer every time. He'll be fine.

The NFL's best kickers miss. Justin Tucker is 5-of-8 so far this year. What young kickers can't do is allow one miss to compound into two…and three…and four. Narveson has the right approach, which should help in making the necessary corrections.

Nathan from Laramie, WY

Good morning! I just noticed Kingsley Enagbare's custom thigh pads. That's awesome! A future article suggestion is for a write-up on the custom uniform modifications the equipment staff does for the players, whether they be functional, stylistic or otherwise. Thank you!

It's not exclusive to Enagbare. All Packers players have those. You'll notice those indentations every once in a while, on skill-position players when their jerseys pick up some dirt or mud. Another cool thing Red Batty always used to do was stitch the player's name and number into the helmet's lining.

AJ from Trempealeau, WI

After Lukas Van Ness's sack resulted in a punt back to GB, he was called for holding during said punt. A fair catch was called, so the ball couldn't be advanced after the catch anyway. Shouldn't that make the act of holding moot? Reminds me of no PI if the ball is tipped. Shouldn't it also be no holding during a fair catch? I'm genuinely curious of your thoughts here. Thanks.

I get what you're saying, but holding is holding and the possible butterfly effect of the infraction has consequences.

Tony from Davenport, IA

When and where will the pep rally be on Sunday? A friend and I will be at the game and would really like to meet the both of you.

The pep rallies are only on the road during the regular season. Our next one will be in Los Angeles. We definitely look forward to meeting you one day, though!

Jeffery from Milwaukee, WI

You're probably getting a lot of posts about this, but it's disheartening to hear that Brett Favre has Parkinson's. I know there's more surrounding him at the moment, but you never like seeing a Pro Football Hall of Famer announce such a thing.

Like LaFleur said, you never want to see that with anybody. Obviously wishing the best for Favre and his well-being.

Bob from Rome, NY

Wes, I think I can speak for the II community that if a non-Packer player was going to get an interception I'm glad it was Damar Hamlin of the Bills. What a thrill for him! Thank you!

I smiled watching that sequence. That young man has been through a lot. It's great to see him not only get his NFL career back on track but also re-earn his starting spot in Buffalo's secondary. Hamlin is one of the best stories out there.

Chili from Muskego, WI

I always figured that, when one of you (Wes) calls somebody out on a question, it's not to criticize the person, but rather it's someone who gets too worked up over some of the questions asked, and just can't let it roll off his shoulders. Spoff is like Johnny Carson, letting the guest shine in the interview, where Wes is a newfangled host bebopping and scatting all over us. I don't want Hod gosh darn it! I'm a Dapper Spoff man. Well, that was a mess :)

I don't usually let nicknames sneak into Inbox…but if you drop an "O Brother, where art thou?" reference…well, you can play, sir.

Steve from Hurricane, UT

Win or lose, I can't wait to watch WYMM. I learn something new about the team and how it works every time. Thanks! How come they seem more humorous or light when the Packers win? Is it just me? These plays give me a great appreciation for these young players' intelligence. Not just Xs and Os drawn in the dirt anymore.

I've covered this team long enough to know Packers fans don't have a sense of humor after losses. Spoff does a great job with that series. What always stands out to me is how much is going on during every play – a thousand footsteps happening in a few seconds.

Matt from Los Angeles, CA

Not sure if you saw it, but Aaron Rodgers was on the McAfee show the other day talking about the issue Sauce Gardner is having with a group of bears coming into his backyard. Rodgers said, "I think he should call Jordan Love, he's the new owner of the Bears now." I thought that was funny and it just goes to show the good relationship Rodgers and Love continue to have to this day. I've heard they still stay in touch with each other even during the season. Pretty cool.

You can tell how much Rodgers respects Love and also the pride he takes in the Packers' pristine record in Chicago since 2008.

Eric from Salida, CO

"Chicken and eggs both make for hearty meals." Another brilliant bit of homespun wisdom from the Spoff desk! I'm going to use this one.

Spoff…big poultry guy.

Luke from Salt Lake City, UT

Wes, does your "Northern Attitude" happen to feature Hozier?

I'll allow it. Have a good Thursday.