Rob from Ravenna, OH

Is it fair to say this team's strength is running the ball and hitting the explosive play? I, for one, love watching our guys forcing their will on the other teams. It may be just what we need if we're still around in January.

You might be onto something. Spoff had an insightful story last week on the Packers' propensity to win with explosive plays, but Josh Jacobs moving the sticks has been a key ingredient to that big-play recipe. As I've said before, the Packers win when moving forward.

Nhoj from Waterloo, WI

I have really enjoyed the postgame locker room videos this year. The most recent one I feel showed a lot of emotion from Josh Jacobs. From that it just makes sense to me how he has been playing. He wants to win, and he will run through the brick wall of tackles for a team that believes in him and gives him the opportunity to win.

The NFL is a job and a multibillion-dollar business, but that sometimes makes it easy to overlook the fact all these guys started playing the game because it was fun. Nothing is more fun than winning and realizing success. You can tell Sunday meant just a little bit more to Jacobs than most. You could see it on his face and hear it in his words.

Ray from Phoenix, AZ

I was fortunate enough to see the 1960s Packers and the brute running style of Jimmy Taylor. Josh Jacobs reminds me of Taylor, only shiftier. Both loved to take on tacklers and hand out the punishment rather than take it. No one man could bring them down. Sunday's 100-plus yards on 25-plus carries was like watching Jimmy Taylor. Jacobs is a beast. Thanks for memories Gute!

I'm sure you're right, but it's the jump-cuts for me. Jacobs' ability to keep his feet moving while reading the defense is next level. It's beautiful watching elite running backs win with their individual skill sets. Aaron Jones did it with explosivity and elusiveness. Jacobs is so cerebral with his power and vision.

Clem from La Crosse, WI

No doubt Josh Jacobs is a great player. I was just wondering how a running back recovers during a short week. His body is not only tired but likely hurts in places most of don't know we have. Is there a position that takes a worse beating during a game than RB? How can they start again with only four days to recover?

Jacobs touched the ball on 26 of his 38 snaps against the 49ers. That's a lot of output on a short week, but the Packers needed to win Sunday before they could worry about Thursday. It appears Jacobs pulled through OK. Green Bay listed him only as veteran rest on Monday's injury report and that's what's gonna be needed to get to (and through) Thursday.

Lori from Brookfield, WI

Wes, what was your favorite play from Sunday's slobberknocker?

There probably were more consequential plays in the win, but I loved Keisean Nixon punching the ball out from Christian McCaffrey. That was all effort and the type of high-energy play that can sprout into more opportunities.

Kyle from Pittsburgh, PA

I really hope that Lukas Van Ness gets a chance to watch Brandon Graham's double-hand chop technique! They highlighted it on Sunday night, and it was a thing to behold. I feel like LVN is just one signature technique move away from being able to use his obvious strength as more of an advantage. He frustrates me more than many because he seems to get swallowed by the O-lineman more than other less-heralded edge guys.

Van Ness is also a 23-year-old pass rusher finding his footing in the NFL. It's been a grind and I'm sure two sacks through 11 games aren't exactly what Van Ness had in mind after a strong finish to his rookie year, but he has all the traits you look for in a premier edge rusher. Like Nixon's punchout, one big play leads to another for Van Ness.

Oliver from Berlin, Germany

Hi Insiders, the Bears and 49ers beat themselves (not only) with penalties. Game in Lambeau was a little bit "spicy" in regards of what was visible on TV. Only one penalty for personal foul and that was a tripping. Do you think the penalty "bug" is maybe over now?

Well, the Packers still had a holding penalty inside the red zone but fought back from it. The past two weeks have been a leap in the right direction, but now is not the time to get complacent.

James from Eagle, ID

It seemed like both the offensive and defensive lines were ruling the line of scrimmage this time. Doesn't it look like both lines are finding their stride now?

Sunday was encouraging because the Packers won with physicality. They had hats flying to the ball and successfully bottled up Christian McCaffrey. Meanwhile, the offensive line gave Jacobs room to work during that 17-0 start.

Rick from Trempealeau, WI

Nice solid win that we should have won. Now, how 'bout we dial up some nice Green Bay November weather for our friends from Miami? 20s by game time. Maybe a little sleet and snow thrown in? Slow those boys down. Chill 'em out and run 'em over.

That's what you like to hear if you're a Packers fan. I view Miami as one of the NFL's top teams when Tua Tagovailoa is on the field. But the Dolphins have a reputation for not being the best cold-weather squad. With any luck, Thanksgiving will come with a side of chilly.

George from Edinburg, VA

I understand the impression of the NFC from Kandace from Bentleyville, MN. Maybe this is glass half full, but those "two, maybe three elite teams" beat the Packers by a combined 17 points, and each game could have gone either way. While those three older teams won, the ascending younger Packers see two (if not three) of them again, all the wiser.

You win or you learn, right? The Packers must use those setbacks to fuel their improvement. Fortunately, they get another swing at Detroit and Minnesota next month.

Al from Green Bay, WI

I pointed out in Spoff's live blog that the Packers had converted six of their first seven third downs, compared to only one of six against the Bears. I shouldn't have mentioned it, because the Packers went zero for their next six after that. What changed?

Just execution, a medley of sacks, drops and third-and-longs. San Francisco locked in against the run early in the second half, as well. The defense picked up the offense, giving it the ball back with prime field position.

Glen from Leesburg, VA

My heart goes out to Christian Watson. Every time I think the guy has turned the corner (monster game vs. Chicago) he drops an absolute gimme. Thankfully, the drop was in a game where we really didn't need it. However, in a playoff game, that can be the difference between moving on or going home. He's got to make that play, but I hope he can make up for it against Miami.

Watson took ownership for the drop after the game. He's a pro who doesn't get defensive or take those plays personally. Watson knows he's gotta catch that. Just gotta come back and make the next play that comes your way.

Mike from Aurora, IL

Strong and needed win, but at the risk of picking nits, the end of the first half was frustrating. After the drop, I didn't understand the sequence of trying two more low-percentage deep balls vs. going for shorter chunks to set up a field-goal attempt. Were those the plays dialed up or was it Love taking the shots, possibly out of frustration after missing one, instead of taking some checkdowns or underneath routes?

That's where the routes were headed. It's not like Love was doing anything crazy off-schedule. But I see your point. The Packers were at the 49ers' 49 with 36 seconds left in the half and two timeouts left. You don't need to get it all back right away.

Jason from Cleveland, MS

How do we shut down Tyreek Hill?

Bracket, cloud and plaster. Overall, the Packers have done a good job against Hill over the years. He's going to get his yards. What the Packers can't allow is Hill to seep into the open field at full speed. The more explosive plays the Dolphins hit with their All-Pro wideout, the harder it'll be to slow the cheetah down.

Paul from De Pere, WI

I sometimes wonder why fans are so obsessed with how a win looks or feels or about where we "stand" against the rest of the NFC. The Packers are 8-3 and all I am concerned about is staying healthy and improving each week. Get into the dance and you just never know what might happen. Just ask the 2010 Packers about where they "stood" and how it "felt" at this point in their season...

Hopefully, the Packers' potential admittance into the playoffs doesn't have to be as dramatic as the 2010 squad.

Dave from Waterford, OH

Eli Manning being a HOF quarterback is more than debatable, it borders on absurd. The Super Bowl wins were 21-17 and 17-14, much more about the Giants' defense than top-level quarterback play. Because he made two critical throws, one a helmet catch, he's a two-time SB MVP? He had several years of pedestrian QB play! If they want to value SB play as being associated with Hall of Fame-worthy QB election, then Nick Foles, who produced one of the greatest SB performances, should be in the Hall before Manning.

I'm not gonna sit here and argue Manning's HOF candidacy in a Packers column. Ask Pete Dougherty, the HOF voter for the Green Bay market. I'm just telling you it's more than likely gonna happen. You don't have to like it. You don't have to agree with it. But that train is coming, folks.

David from Madison, WI

Why are these coaches going for two so early in the games? Example – Bears going for two at home Sunday vs. Vikings and later in the game they end up with the tie hence OT. Also, I'm thinking a Bears W helps Pack. Is this the new NFL thinking or coaches?

Probably a byproduct of the new NFL and the infusion of analytics into the game. I get why the rules are no longer as rigid as "Don't go for two before eight minutes in the fourth quarter," but sometimes the extra point through the uprights is worth two in the end zone.

Monty from Velva, ND

Why is Tucker Kraft not given more opportunities in the offense? He is a star in the making but is getting very few targets. I realize the offense needs to take what the defense gives them, but Tucker needs more opportunities.

With respect, Monty, I'm not sure what you're talking about. Kraft owns the longest streak in team history for consecutive games (17) with multiple catches by a tight end. It's rare for the Packers to feature just one pass-catcher. The strength is the whole, not the parts. But Kraft has done well for himself with 402 receiving yards and a team-high six touchdowns.

John from Stevens Point, WI

What do you make of the Packers beating a depleted 49ers team? Is this Packer team playoff-worthy? Three NFC North teams possibly in the playoffs? What is going on here?

To paraphrase Keisean Nixon after the game, nobody was feeling sorry for the Packers when they had to play three games without Love. It's the NFL, man. It ain't all waiting on you. You gotta win with who you have.

John from Stevens Point, WI

"… Malik Willis even more. Thoughts?" "Perhaps the transaction of the year in the NFL if there is such a thing." The McKinney transaction was pretty good, too.

I still find it funny the Packers got McKinney and Jacobs for nothing (besides their contracts) and Willis for a seventh-round pick.

Julian from Gastonia, NC

If I'm a Vikings fan and I'm not, this season the Vikings appear eerily similar to their 2022 team. They went 13-4 and then lost in an upset at home to the New York Giants 31-24 in the NFC Wild Card round of the playoffs.

I was thinking the same Sunday afternoon after Minnesota finally put away Chicago. The Vikings are a good football team, but we'll see how high that ceiling runs.

Douglas from Johnson Creek, WI

What is the most important thing you've learned working for the Packers that isn't football related?

Well-run football teams are so much more than just the players on the field. Organizational cohesion breeds championships.

Jack from Black Mountain, NC

Your photography staff does outstanding work. Evan, Emma, and now Duke Bobber. Will you introduce us to Duke, who has a great football name?

I could…but then he'd likely fire me.

Rich from Bannockburn, IL

As a longtime reader and an occasional submitter, I have always been curious if you guys are on a pitch count. At times your II seems long, and other times too short. What say you? GPG

I can't speak for Spoff, but the length of my columns usually depends on how annoyed I am.

Corey from Seattle, WA

As a longtime Insider fan, it bothers me that you constantly tell us fans all that matters is the next game. Let us enjoy a win. This is a sport that's meant for entertainment, relax.

*Wes stares blankly at the computer screen questioning every decision he's made in life*

Jeff from Mequon, WI

Hey guys, great win on Sunday. Looking ahead to the Dolphins, hopefully we get a nice, cold Thanksgiving night to help us out a bit. Are you guys excited that Lambeau gets to host a Thanksgiving game this year? When is the last time that happened? Although I'm sure you'd rather be at home with your families, does it make it easier being a home game? Happy Thanksgiving to all and Go Pack Go.

I like Thanksgiving football. It's an awesome NFL tradition and I'm stoked to be part of it again. What I don't get is how the Packers are playing the Dolphins for the second time in three years on a holiday. It doesn't make sense to me, but at least the Packers are home this time.

Matt from Bloomington, IN

Thursday games are often more unpredictable than the others, on account of the really short week. I badly want a win, but I'll be sure not to overreact to this game no matter how it goes. I hope, for your sake, that others are the same … because after a short week comes a lot of Insider Inbox before the next game. GPG!

Hopefully, we'll have plenty of positive things to discuss. Have a great Tuesday.