Inbox: That was a whale of a play

Curt from Pine Island, MN

Did we just witness full consistency?

Oh, brother. But appreciate the no caps.

Shannon from Ovilla, TX

Great win by the Pack Sunday. This division looks legit. Packers scored the fewest at 34. The Bears won by the least at 19. The Lions punished Dallas. I can't wait to see all the division games and how this plays out.

Buckle up.

Bruce from Travelers Rest, SC

Man, there is no easy out in the NFC North right now.

Take out the one division game played between the Packers and Vikings, and the NFC North's collective record when not playing itself is 16-4. Yowza.

Bryan from Oshkosh, WI

Well, at least the Vikings didn't get a win yesterday, apparently a bye week is the only thing that can stop this division … But in all seriousness, curious what the best win percentage is for a single division over the course of a season in NFL history?

Last week, I found a few divisions that finished a collective 20 games over .500 since the current divisional format was instituted in 2002 ('07 AFC West, '13 NFC West, '22 NFC East). Then last night, digging back further, I found a division that finished 22 games over .500 – the 1984 AFC West. Denver was 13-3, Seattle 12-4, LA Raiders 11-5, KC 8-8 and San Diego 7-9 for a cumulative mark of 51-29.

Dave from Arlington Heights, IL

With Jordan Love getting hotter, even with the "hold-in" and missing two games because of an injury, it appears the more he plays the better he gets. Why not have him get a few series in the preseason? I completely understand the injury avoidance theory, but a season ending injury can happen anytime, even just four snaps into a season. Not playing in the preseason means the first couple game are the preseason and those games count in the standings too.

I can't anymore. I just can't.

Roger from Provo, UT

The current iteration of this team will never cease to amaze me. Love getting his touch back, Romeo Doubs being welcomed back with two touchdown passes, Christian Watson getting involved. Josh Jacobs pounding the ground. And I think we're only just getting started. What a team. What a game.

They took it to a team that, somewhat surprisingly and against tendency, got off to a slow start. To me, the passing game looked borderline unstoppable in the first half the way Love was protected.

Brian from Bemidji, MN

Third-and-1...Kyler run. Fourth-and-4. Punt. Fumble. Penalties. Re-kick. Long return. Jugular. That thing flipped in a hurry. Hope nobody was visiting the bathroom or the kitchen!

That was a whale of a play by Evan Williams on Murray on the third-and-1 that started that whole thing, and the play-action deep shot right after the long return by Keisean Nixon was a classic LaFleur go-for-the-throat play call.

Wayne from Stevens Point, WI

The Cardinals seemed to handing the game to us over and over. Penalties and later on turnovers. But did anyone else feel the momentum change after Jaire was called for a personal foul? The play before he was called he was already out of control causing grief after the whistle. You never want to open the door for the opponent.

Yeah, that provided Arizona's first sign of life. For a defense that had to play so disciplined all day against a QB like Murray, that was the one moment showing lack of discipline.

Graeme from Tucson, AZ

That looked like the most complete performance of the season so far. The most important part of the game for me was holding the Cardinals to field goals either side of halftime. Two touchdowns there and game could have looked quite different. What was your take?

I don't think that's ever really a game if Bo Melton doesn't slip on his route leading to the interception. That one play gave the Cardinals a chance I don't think they otherwise get. That said, holding them to a field goal there, and again after halftime as you pointed out, was crucial. They essentially "tripled up" on scores spanning halftime but never made it a one-score game.

Jeremiah from Middleton, WI

I guess if my biggest issue with the Packers game is that Xavier McKinney didn't get another interception then it's probably a good game.

I'll take zero interceptions when the opposing QB completes one pass out of 32 for longer than 18 yards all day.

Eric from Kenosha, WI

I am extremely disappointed. The Cardinals never even came close to trying something downfield, so there was no chance for X to continue his streak.

When Marvin Harrison Jr. left the game with a concussion, Arizona's passing game became tight end Trey McBride or bust.

Steve from Scranton, PA

Mike, the defensive linemen (in particular, Rashan Gary and Lukas Van Ness) have been criticized by fans and many in the media for their perceived lack of production (e.g. sacks) this season. Very unfair criticism in my opinion, due to the change in defensive scheme as well as the number of dual-threat QBs the Packers have faced thus far. It has to be very difficult to pressure the quarterback while simultaneously maintaining containment, and the DL did it extremely well against Arizona!

I thought so, too. I saw a pass rush Sunday that was very effective, and Murray rushed for 14 yards in seven tries. That's erasing his running game. Wes made a very astute comment to me late in the game, that the Packers had their best pass-rushing effort of the last three weeks with zero sacks. I totally agree.

John from St. Albert, Canada

Happy Monday II (after a win…). Two games in a row, the TV broadcast crew has commented on Brayden Narveson having difficulty hitting field goals in pregame. There is no doubting the skill and athleticism, so is it a case of the game-day yips? Color me concerned but hoping he refinds his mojo. Soon.

I didn't watch his warmups so I don't know about that. All I know is he missed wide right from the left hash, again. I don't know anything else to say about it right now.

Bones from Ripon, WI

Great game! I really have to know, is Narveson kicking short intentionally? He's had a lot of his kickoffs returned. Yesterday I believe one was for a touchback. In previous weeks I believe all have been returned. Now the Packers have been stopping the return before the 30 but everyone else seems to be putting it well into the end zone the majority of the time.

I don't know for sure, but I have to believe it was intentional in this game, probably because the Packers felt they had an advantage against Arizona's return unit. On the six kickoffs the Cardinals returned, they started drives at the 35, 30, 22, 26, 26 and 28. That's (yes, math) plus-13 yards overall for GB versus touchbacks.

Joe from Lake Mills, WI

I couldn't be happier for Romeo Doubs and the way he played Sunday. He stood out on blocking and the touchdowns were a just reward. Considering the obstacles that man has overcome in life he deserves a little slack. His teammates seemed thrilled for him. We should be too.

It was great to see the band back together doing its thing.

Paula from Apple Valley, MN

The locker room interview (Friday) with Romeo Doubs was difficult to watch. I'm sure it was uncomfortable for him and the reporters asking the questions. We still don't know what really transpired last week, nor do we need to, and it reminded me just how young the men in that locker room are. I sincerely hope that Packers fans welcome Rome back with loud cheers of support at Lambeau on Sunday!

We may never know the whole story, and that's Doubs' right. I have zero problem with that. But for those in the Inbox (not posted) bashing the media based on what Doubs said Friday, this needs to be remembered: Whatever the issue is/was, how he handled it got him suspended for a game. That's not a step the organization ever takes lightly. Let's just all hope it's behind everybody now.

Eric from Salida, CO

During the game I saw that the Packers are third in the league in rushing (maybe higher after Week 6). My question is when was the last time our running game was this good? Lacy? Ahman Green? Oh, and Go Pack Go!

The Packers added 179 rushing yards to their season total Sunday to put them over 1,000 yards through six games. The last time Green Bay's ground game ranked in the league's top five was in 2003 (third), when Green ran for 1,883. The Packers also were in the top 10 in 2013 (seventh), which was Lacy's rookie year when he and Starks combined for more than 1,600 yards, and 2020 (eighth) when Jones and Williams also combined for more than 1,600.

Caleb from Knoxville, TN

Hats off to Kenny Albert for calling his 500th NFL game! What a run for him!

Wow, I had no idea. That's pretty cool.

Ryan from Bloomer, WI

A critical call from Thursday night's game has me a little befuddled. Replay showed a muffed punt when the 49ers player was blocked into the Seattle player but it was ruled Seahawks ball. They said the replay crew did not have access to the shot showing the ball touching the Seahawks player? Thankfully, I don't think this had a major effect in the outcome of the game. But how in the heck does that happen in today's NFL? I thought the replay crew had access to all camera footage shown on TV?

It's supposed to. I don't know how that happens either and I trust the league is looking into it.

Chase from Mason, OH

FOX Sports cut away quickly after the game, but did the Melton brothers swap jerseys?

Yes.

Robin from Ideal Township, MN

Greetings! And gratitude for all your valuable perspective, deep knowledge, and fun humor! You mentioned only one set of brothers other than Meltons who played against each other (offense/defense) in NFL. What about the Wisconsin-based Watts? Wasn't one of the three offense? And what about Howie Long's sons? I thought one was offense and one defense. Thanks for confirming!

I believe when he was a fullback for the Chargers, Derek Watt played against both J.J. for Houston and T.J. for Pittsburgh. But their positions – with the more famous Watts both pass rushers – didn't lend themselves to lining up directly across from one another, which was the genesis of our discussion. Same for Kyle (guard) and Chris (defensive end) Long, who squared off in their time during some Bears-Rams clashes.

Jim from Pocatello, ID

Something that came into mind from an "Unscripted" conversation. Did Clay Matthews play against his brother a few years back?

He played against Jake Matthews, his cousin.

Tom from Saukville, WI

Question: On "Packers Unscripted," you introduce Wes in one if three ways: 1) My trusted colleague; 2) My partner in crime, or; 3) The one and only. What determines which introduction you use?

The look on his face. Or just my mood.

Bob from Pocatello, ID

Hi Mike. Stopped overnight in Wausau on my drive to GB from Idaho for the Cards and Texans games. I know that you covered high school sports here. Did you have professional sports journalism aspirations in those days? And if so, did you see a particular path to get there or was there a lot of "right place/right time" mixed in?

Both. When I left the Wausau Daily Herald for the Green Bay Press-Gazette to continue covering high school and college sports, I was hoping to join the Packers beat at some point. But after 5½ years, there was no movement amongst those on the daily coverage team and above me with more seniority. I had lost some enthusiasm for preps, so I actually bailed from the newspaper business when my second child was on the way. But two years later I found out the Packers were looking for a full-time website writer for the first time. I threw my hat in the ring and voila.

Ric from Longmont, CO

Hi Mike: I left something for you on your chair in the press box, hopefully it's still there on Sunday and you can use them the next time you're in Colorado. Sorry Wes, I didn't have any cards for free sarsaparillas, but I'll definitely buy yours as well!

Thanks Ric. Got 'em. You're too kind. Hope you enjoyed your tour.

Jeffery from Brooklyn, WI

This was the definition of a well-rounded team. Now just keep this train rolling.

Happy Monday.