Inbox: The Packers need to rest and then respond

Eric from Kenosha, WI

Good morning. It seems the Packers do not have a talent gap with the better teams, but an execution gap. Our silver lining is it is much more realistic to expect to fix execution than talent in-season.

Matt LaFleur said that's precisely what the Packers' coaches were doing on Monday – discussing the process that led to their second-half resurgence in 2023 and see how much may be applicable to the season at hand.

Jake from Decatur, GA

Hit the field goal, and it's 24-17. Throw the pick-six out of bounds, and it's 17-17. Don't drop catchable passes, and the Packers win by at least one touchdown. Yeah, I know it's not actually that simple, but the point is like Mike said yesterday: Unforced errors are the reason we lost one game against the best team in the NFC. I hate to lose a winnable game as much as anyone, but in the middle of the season, a fixable problem is always better than the alternative.

The game was won and lost during that seven-minute stretch from the end of the second quarter and the beginning of the third. Detroit scored 17 of its 24 points in that small window, including a game-altering pick-six. Everyone had a hand in that loss. There were miscues galore but obviously that INT can't happen. You have to protect the ball in that end-of-half situation, no different than L.A.

Colin from Bloomington, IN

It's easy to armchair coach, I acknowledge, but I never cease to be frustrated by offensive pre-snap penalties. They know the cadence, the snap count, the play, etc. Yet, it still happens all the time. I think that adds to the credit to that Lions team. I don't recall any such penalty on their offense. How does a coach get a team so disciplined and locked in? Has Dan Campbell found a cheat code?

The Lions are a veteran team that's grown together over the past three years, especially on the offensive line. There's beauty in the simplicity of Detroit's offense – run the ball well, complete the completable and play disciplined. People grow tired of the cliché about how it takes all 11, but that's how Lions have beaten teams this year. Detroit isn't infallible. I still feel they've got some holes teams can exploit on defense, but that's as efficient an offense as I've seen in the NFL in a long time. It starts with everything the Lions do before the snap. This is good film from which the Packers can learn if channeled appropriately.

John from Madison, WI

Any thoughts on why ML has been electing to receive to start the games instead of deferring lately? Our defense has been playing well and if they go out and get an early stop our offense can get rolling and then we will receive to start the third quarter.

It's not lately. The Packers did that last year during their turnaround.

John from Portland, OR

On Monday, Mike correctly pointed out how everything is connected, and that if the Packers had not made so many mistakes in the first half "maybe Love isn't pressing so hard to make a play." But he likely also would not have pressed so hard if the Packers were getting the second-half kickoff. I know that Coach LaFleur is trying to set a tone, but I believe that the decision to receive when winning the coin toss is putting his team in a bad position as halftime approaches.

Matt Schneidman asked LaFleur Monday about the decision to take the ball and LaFleur said it's predominately based on feel. Again, I thought last year it was the right approach because the Packers, as a whole, seemed to play better when playing with a lead. But with how the defense is playing, maybe Green Bay will entertain deferring after the bye. I don't know, but a lot of conversation and consideration goes into those decisions.

Dean from Leavenworth, IN

Going into the season I thought this might be a team of destiny. Those who do not learn from mistakes are destined to repeat them. The Packers had more first downs, more yards rushing, more yards passing and homefield advantage. They also had twice as many penalties, six drops to none by the receivers, and lost the turnover with a disastrous pick-six. Is this our destiny?

The way I see it, the Packers have a choice. They can let the setbacks define their season or use those lessons to write a new story, a different story. The clock is ticking, though.

Bryan from Gladstone, MI

Is there any chance we will be seeing MarShawn Lloyd or Luke Musgrave on the field anytime soon?

LaFleur confirmed Musgrave underwent ankle surgery, but the Packers still hope to have him back this year.

Kyle from Chelsea, MI

No mention of Branch yesterday in the II so I will bring it up. In real time I thought it was clearly a personal foul and I have no problem kicking him out of the game. That is a hit that could end one's career and could have been avoided. This isn't the first year we heard of not leading with the head. His "salute" to the fans only made me more confident in that it was the right call.

It was 100% the right call. This wasn't a situation where Branch was playing hard and couldn't stop himself. He saw the defenseless receiver and chose to hit Bo Melton with his helmet in the head-and-neck area. It could not have been more obvious. And yes, very classy way to exit stage right. It's just too bad Green Bay couldn't make Detroit pay for one of its few gaffes.

Elliot from Hopkins, MN

I was surprised Brian Branch was ejected from the game, not because of the hit but because they didn't eject him right away. Was NY able to review if it was ejectable because the flag was thrown for the hit?

Rob Demovsky spoke with Perry Fewell from the NFL office after the game. Fewell said the decision was made "in concert" with the on-field officials.

Brad from Bella Vista, AR

The Lions used an efficient passing game. Five-yard catch, nine-yard gain. When we have short yardage situations were throwing a 30-yard pass. What happened to the quick, short pass for a first down?

Again, Jared Goff is really good at executing the offense Ben Johnson wants to run and Detroit earns the down-and-distances to run it. The Packers are still working to identify those bread-and-butter plays for those must-have situations (e.g. the quick out to Davante Adams).

JP from Geneva, IL

The Packers' record is 6-3. Average points per game is 25.6 (top 10 in NFL). Allowing 21.6 ppg (top half of NFL). Plus-six turnover differential. Thirteen turnovers (fifth most in the NFL). Sixth-most penalized team in the NFL. Top three in most dropped passes in the NFL. Most missed field goals in the NFL. QB has thrown most INTs in the NFL. What is your analysis of the Packers based on these stats?

Despite the Packers being 6-3, there's a lot of room for growth and improvement. You can take that however you want, but I see the upside there. You can't just talk about the need to make corrections, though. Action is needed. The Packers need to rest and then respond.

Ryan from Sun Prairie, WI

Any word from Elgton Jenkins regarding four low snaps? Wet football? Lack of practice?

Jenkins attributed it to the wet balls and said he needs to do a better job of communicating with the equipment staff to get dry towels. It's not easy to slide to center after not starting a game there in four years, but Jenkins said he's operated in the offense for five-plus years and felt confident playing there. It was a tough spot for everyone involved.

Jim from Hudsonville, MI

Spoff mentioned "creative coaching" may be needed to correct the dropped passes. Other than countless hours on the JUGS machine, what can be done? Surely, they've covered the "look the ball in" and "focus" approach. How much more is actually coachable?

It's definitely coachable, but it's on the player, too. James Jones went through a stretch early in his career where he had a few too many drops but then became one of the most sure-handed receivers the Packers had during the Rodgers era. Focus is part of it, but it's also confidence. One big catch often leads to the next.

Jason from Austin, TX

The loss to the Lions doesn't concern me as much as the lack of homefield advantage I saw. Not necessarily from a fan perspective, although I could hear Goff chants, but from the way the team performed. No one is going to be nervous about playing in Lambeau if the home team struggles more than the away team. Do you think the youth of the team played a role in poor performance in the elements? I assume players get better playing in the rain/snow as they get older.

To me, this is the bigger story than the combined record of Green Bay's remaining opponents. The Packers are going to play several more times in less-than-ideal conditions. You have to win those battles, especially against dome teams. I mentioned in Saturday's column how the forecast played to Green Bay's strengths but "you still gotta earn it." The Packers didn't Sunday. Doesn't mean they won't down the stretch.

Hannes from Glendale, WI

I feel like the Lions didn't beat the Packers. The Packers beat themselves with unforced mistakes. While the bye week is always a time to get healthier, it also presents an opportunity to reflect and focus. Whether or not they can do that will define their season.

Correct, but a loss is still a loss whether Detroit beats you or you beat yourself. The Lions have now come into Lambeau Field – a place they hadn't won for like 25 years – and reeled off their third straight W in GB. The Packers will again have their chance to spoil the rematch at Ford Field next month.

Matt from Bloomington, IN

The NFC North home losses this year have been rough. But it definitely reminds me of last season, where we know the gap that needs to be closed between us and an obvious contender. Now let's see if we can close it. Time to get healthy and focus on the Bears!

Green Bay needs to get one back now – against an opponent to whom the Packers have yet to lose during the Matt LaFleur era.

Joe from Agra, India

Mike says the discipline problems at the line of scrimmage are easily correctable. We've seen these problems week after week. If there so easily correctable then, why haven't they been? It's Week 9 after all.

The same could be asked of any team in the NFL. Wins and losses are the final verdict on a team's attention to detail and execution (or lack thereof). The Packers have done some good things so far– more wins than two-thirds of the league – but they can get better. Timing, concentration and practicing with purpose are the Packers' way back.

Pat from Redgranite, WI

For all the negatives in the game ('nuff said) I'd just like to shout out the O-line play for keeping Jordan Love upright the entire game. No sacks allowed and beautiful pockets most times. The receiver drops were the killers that could've made Jordan's day a whole lot easier, but without the overall line protection those passes couldn't have even been attempted. I think they rose to the challenge of protecting a physically limited QB quite well.

The O-line has played great once the ball is snapped. I feel it's one of the most balanced run/pass-blocking units I've covered. But you gotta stay ahead of the sticks.

Paula from Apple Valley, MN

I enjoyed the game notes on Arron Mosby. Always great to see a player shine when their opportunity arrives. What precipitated him entering the game in the second quarter, an injury or just a changeup in personnel?

The Packers threw Mosby in for a few third-down rushes. If Green Bay was looking for a spark, the former undrafted free agent provided it. We'll see if those five snaps grow into anything more after the bye.

Doug from Ames, IA

Making no excuses for outcome of game, but the opening kickoff penalty did not look like one. Keisean Nixon was pushed as he was going out of bounds and lost his balance. He did the best he could to miss the person on sideline. Look at it again from the sideline camera angle and say what you think.

I was confused, too, but I believe the penalty stemmed from Nixon putting his pointer finger in the face of Lions cornerback Kindle Vildor.

Richie from Aghada, Ireland

Not a question but maybe perspective. In August, I would have 100% have taken 6-3 at the bye in the second year for Jordan Love at QB and the second year with the youngest roster in the NFL. Did Sunday suck, yes, but this team has such a bright future and another year, looking like we'll make the playoffs. I truly believe we haven't seen the best this team has to offer just yet.

Gratitude for the victories. Appreciation the Packers can still be better.

Tom from Woodbury, MN

Several years ago, I wrote to the Inbox lamenting the fact that none of my children or grandchildren at the time were joining me as a Packer fan, instead choosing their home-state Vikings. I mentioned that I was hopeful that my newest grandson Weston would become a Packer fan. Fast forward to the present where Weston in now a young but diehard Packer backer. In the land of Vikings, he proudly wore his Packer hat to school today even after a tough loss.

Let's freaking go. Good man, Weston.

Jim from Tempe, AZ

What made Malik Willis successful in his two starts and in relief against the Jaguars was his efficiency and taking care of the ball. It looked like the groin injury was hampering Love's mobility and ability to step into throws. Accuracy was the big knock on him in draft evaluation and it continues to be his glaring weakness. He's very capable at making incredibly difficult throws at times but he also struggles with some "easy" throws and decision making. Hopefully he can clean this up soon.

Love now has a full week to rest and recover. We all do. Have a good Tuesday.