Inbox: That's where it starts

Tom from Cambridge, MA

Whenever I see a reference I think may be from a movie, TV show, book, etc., I just think, "Forget it, he's rolling."

Nicely done, Boon.

Gavin from Albuquerque, NM

Wes said, "I swear Inbox was more positive last year when the team was 3-6 than it is currently at 6-3." First-year starting quarterback with no expectations versus "The Guy" and a full load of expectation pie heaped on the team. Interesting how expectations can affect so much. GPG!

For sure, and 6-3 equaling third place with two losses against the division leaders factors into it, too.

Julian from Gastonia, NC

If we're looking at how the Packers defeat the Bears I'm not concerned about schemes or even who is able to play. If Green Bay cleans up their own issues such as interceptions, dropped passes and penalties they should win. The Packers can't continue to depend on overcoming their own problems.

But that's where it starts.

Doug from Pardeeville, WI

With the Bears firing their OC on Tuesday what new challenges will the Pack face on Sunday? At a minimum I expect we will see some new uncharted looks, maybe a different emphasis on run vs. pass. We won't have the benefit of knowing their tendencies from their previous games. Thank you, and GO Pack GO!

They can't totally revamp their playbook in a few days, but I agree with you on new looks and tendency breakers. As I said on our latest "Unscripted," it makes for a strange week of prep for the Packers, but they can't be trying to guess or chase ghosts either. This is where defenses must rely on their core principles and fundamentals to react appropriately.

Jim from Westland, MI

With Brown taking over as offensive coordinator for the Bears, and considering his background as a running backs coach and tight end coach, I would expect to see a major emphasis on pounding the ball, play-action. Not that they have much of a choice. Their defense is solid, but the offense … well, for this week I'll clam the Packers' defense on my fantasy league and like my chances.

A running game is a young quarterback's, and struggling pass-protection unit's, best friend. Always has been.

Eric from Green Bay, WI

Dear idiots (I don't mean that. I get caught up in the moment sometimes), the Bears' offense is clearly struggling and by firing the OC, it usually means the beginning of the end for an underperforming head coach. But what do the Bears do well on defense the Packers have to overcome? Thank you for everything you do. Don't take crap from anyone. Even me.

The Bears' defense has allowed more than 21 points only once all season, two weeks ago when Arizona scored 29. It has 16 takeaways (eight INTs, eight fumbles) with one pick-six and a third-down percentage (33%) ranked seventh. Chicago's special teams has a blocked punt for a TD. The last two games are the only Bears losses that weren't close in the fourth quarter.

Jason from Austin, TX

The wolves are howling in Chicago, and their shiny new QB doesn't feel too savior-esque lately. If Matt Eberflus wants to silence the wolves and reinvigorate his team, it starts with having Caleb Williams do something Justin Fields was never able to do. Beat the Packers. I know Chicago is hurting, but divisional games are never easy (except for that one time), so I expect Chicago to throw everything at the Packers this week. Including the Bean! I also expect LaFleur to have this team ready for it.

Me, too, but I'm letting the Bean hit Wes.

Steve from Halifax, Canada

Not surprised at the Preston Smith departure. We just hadn't been hearing his name. This reminded me of Aaron Kampman's situation. Both men (very effective) didn't seem to adjust well to the defensive changes (from 3-4 to 4-3, etc.). Is this taken into account when a new defensive coordinator is hired?

Scheme didn't drive the decision. Philosophy and approach did. The Packers didn't see it as a major schematic adjustment, but there's no guarantee everyone takes to it. Kampman's situation 15 years ago was much more difficult, as he was asked to carry out responsibilities he never had before (such as dropping into coverage), and unfortunately he blew out his knee midway through the season. It seriously altered the rest of his career.

Walt from Middle Inlet, WI

We all know 17 games are scheduled for each team in an 18-week season. Apparently players could play 18 games, e.g. Preston Smith. Are his game-day checks adjusted to reflect the extra game or will he just not get paid the 18th week?

Players get paid for 18 weeks. If they play an extra game in lieu of a bye, nothing changes.

Luke from Holcombe, WI

NFL Replay Assist, better known as "our arbitrary method of saving teams a challenge flag for … reasons." How can the coach's challenge system continue to exist? So many exceptions for when it can be used, what can be challenged, and now a system everyone would rather have 100% of time used 2% of the time inconsistently. I just don't understand the league's continued excuses for its officiating.

I think Replay Assist is just a precursor to eventually doing away with the challenge system. At some point all plays that need a closer look, aside from judgment penalties, will get one (like in college). It's just a matter of time. The NFL may drag this out for years to avoid admitting the college system is better, but it'll capitulate.

Bryan from West Salem, WI

Regarding this silly Mahomes thing, the quote verbatim was "Can you let me know if he's close?" and he is referring to his offensive linemen not lining up properly in relation to the line of scrimmage. This notion that the NFL refs are favoring Mahomes and the Chiefs is ridiculous and has gotten way out of hand. What are we doing here folks?

Thank you.

Mike from Niles, IL

Now, the two critical missed kicks Sunday (Broncos and Texans) weren't as easy chip shots as our game-winning "Rolex" one against the Jags, but they demonstrate once more why so many of us armchair coaches hate to see that strategy deliberately used late in a close game when the offense has been moving the ball well. There also were several short kicks missed two weeks ago. While they usually succeed, a miss would be disastrous.

Out of chip-shot range, it does become a different discussion. But in the Broncos' case, I totally understand the penchant for sitting on the ball when the risk of a fumble or penalty or whatever just doesn't outweigh the benefit of gaining a few more yards.

Bill from Bloomfield Hills, MI

My favorite citation about how the season swings. I can't let Adam's 2007 NYG comment go incomplete. The Giants were swept by not only the Cowboys (including the opener) but also the Packers and the Patriots (to make 16-0) in Game 16. Of course they beat the Cowboys, Packers and thus 18-1 Patriots in the SB. On par with 1995 Houston Rockets as a No. 6 seed beating the No. 3, 2, 1 and 1 seeds. Just make the playoffs baby.

The '95 Rockets ranks as one of the more random historical sports references in this column. But I digress. I remember the '07 Packers-Giants game in Week 2 that year. It was the only game I ever covered at the old Meadowlands. Those Giants have to be the only team to start a season 0-2 and then beat those same two teams in the playoffs (Cowboys and Packers) at year's end.

Chris from Richfield, WI

Gonna piggyback one more time. The Saints swept the Buccaneers in '20, including getting a shutout of Tom Brady which hadn't happened in forever, before losing in the divisional round in what ended up being Drew Brees' last game. As for the championship game the next week, the memory is still too painful.

Funny how the Packers end up involved in all these examples. For the record, the Saints didn't shut out the Bucs that year, but whipped them 38-3 in the second regular-season meeting.

Jake from Greenfield, WI

The Packers were so close to winning this bye week! The Lions have five turnovers and the Viking only score 12 points and they both win … The AFC South did us no favors. What's the AFC South's record vs the NFC North this year?

2-12. Houston and Indy beat Chicago. There are two games left. Minnesota plays Tennessee this week, and Detroit plays Indy next week. If the Vikes and Lions win those, three NFC North teams will have swept the AFC South.

Keith from Truro, Canada

Hi Mike, did you think Arnold should have been called for pass interference near the end of the DET/HOU game? He has a habit of holding and banging into WRs. That would have made a big difference from where a potential FG could have won the game for Houston.

Many have asked about this play. I'll preface by saying there's no rulebook justification for my conclusion, and I'm certainly in the minority. But I was OK with the no-call. Why? Because I don't believe Stroud saw the underneath LB (Anzalone) moving the other way across the middle of the field or he wouldn't have thrown it, and he was lucky his bad decision didn't result in a pick. Calling the DPI would've rewarded the Texans for a terrible pass Stroud never should've made.

Mike from Baraboo, WI

How did the Lions win a game in spite of throwing five INTs? Explain it to me like a 5-year-old.

Houston's INT total matched its first downs in the second half.

Nick from Prescott, WI

We are roughly halfway through the season. I was wondering if you guys could offer an analysis of Haffley's defense so far. My only thoughts are the defensive line has struggled with the transition from 3-4 to 4-3. I'd appreciate your thoughts at this point in the season.

I think since the disastrous first half vs. Minnesota back in Week 4, Hafley's defense has played a lot of winning football. It got the stop to close out the win over the Rams, allowed just 22 points to Houston despite often being put in terrible field position, and it forced four punts in a span of seven possessions against a Lions offense that had been rolling. Admittedly, the last two defensive possessions in Jacksonville (10 points) were frustrating. But aside from the aggression that has generated takeaways, what I like best about this defense is it can stem the tide when things go wrong and not let a game snowball out of control. That hasn't felt like the case around here for a while. I'll also let John chime in.

John from Chester, NY

The pundits say the Lions are on a different level than the Packers. Yet the Packers defense only surrendered 17 points to the Lions, and it would have been 13 if not for the offsides inside the 10. For all of the mistakes, that is pretty dominating against a team that was serving up 40 burgers like Hot N' Now. Yeah, they need more than 2.5 sacks a game, but they also have 35 tackles for a loss which puts them in the top 10. Am I the only one who sees this? Thoughts from you Insiders?

The Packers make their share of plays in the backfield, another product of aggression. But there are games the pass rush has been hit or miss, and some days the four-man rush just isn't going to get home. It has forced Hafley to get creative and I think he's succeeded in doing so without compromising the back end (which has dealt with injuries). But in the end, the ability of the four-man rush to regularly affect the QB will determine whether the takeaways keep coming and how reliably the unit can get stops.

Paul from Ledgeview, WI

Mike, INTs and poor decision making were a knock on Jordan Love coming out of college. Is this most recent string of turnovers revealing a fatal flaw, or is there some extenuating circumstance that can help explain the rash of turnovers to this point in the season? If the Packers' offense is to regain the form of the end of last season, he has to be better. IMO playing dinged up is not a satisfactory explanation. A lack of practice reps may be.

Those two issues go hand in hand, though.

James from Appleton, WI

A healthier Jordan Love should be under center more, right? That seems to make the passing option for RPOs and play-action more effective. Doesn't it help the jet sweep, too, to turn and hand off?

Presumably, though I keep wondering where the shotgun push pass went.

Aaron from Otsego, MI

With the Packers wanting to get the bad taste of the Lions game out of their mouth this week following a bye and the hopes of revenge against the 49ers next week coming up. Then the national Thanksgiving audience against the Dolphins followed by the granddaddy of them all of opportunities with a trip to Detroit. Is it safe to say that we will know what the 2024 team is all about in four weeks?

I'm not even going to say it. Happy Wednesday.