Inbox: You have to take the fight to the Lions

Tyler from Stetsonville, WI

Credit to both of you for some of the critics who come in every week to seemingly try to be the biggest brain in the room. Your points on focusing on each week of the here and now makes sense to me. Everyone was worried about a trap game vs. the Jags and we hoped the team didn't look ahead. Matt LaFleur's saying is "go 1-0 every week." He can't go 1-0 this week vs. Detroit if he's looking two weeks down the road to Chicago. If he's saying the focus is on the week at hand, I believe everyone in the building is too

Right on. The season is too damn long to gaze too far into the future. Coaches will drive themselves insane doing that. Since the Packers' loss to Minnesota, I've talked about needing to put the NFC North on the backburner and take care of the business at hand. The Packers did that and now that divisional challenge is here. Let's see what we've learned.

Paul from Ledgeview, WI

Wes, you have talked about the quality of the Packers' roster. How would you say GB compares with Detroit with respect to talent and depth? Outside of the health of QB1, and the availability of our preferred starters, what separates these two teams at this juncture of the season? Are the Lions playing like the best team in the NFL right now?

It's two of the deeper rosters in the entire league. Jared Goff, Sam LaPorta, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery are all among the best at their respective position. Defensively, there are a few more question marks. Detroit took a hit with the loss of Aidan Hutchinson and will need to find a way to replicate that production, but Brian Branch is an absolute ball hawk and Alex Anzalone is one of the more underrated players in the league.

Austin from Manassas, VA

This would be a great game for the D-line to play up to its potential. Going into the season, I thought this group would wreak havoc, forcing QBs into bad decisions getting us lots of turnovers. This hasn't happened against good O-lines yet, but we're still taking the ball away at an impressive rate. If the D-line play improves, I like our chances against anyone.

For sure. Again, this is one of the best offenses the Packers will face all year. There aren't many categories in which Detroit isn't top 10. But I'm reminded of how Green Bay won on Thanksgiving in Detroit last year. You have to match physicality with physicality and take the fight to the Lions. If they can do that again, the Packers can make a big statement Sunday.

Sean from Saint Charles, MO

You guys mentioned Jordan Love staying in shotgun would hinder the run game and play-action. Can you please educate us on why a play-action run or pass when the QB is under center is more effective than a read-option or "RPO" when lined up at shotgun?

QBs have more options under center and can be more deceptive with the football (e.g. Aaron Rodgers' guitar fake). An offense's job gets infinitely easier if the defense doesn't know where the football is.

Mark from Westminster, CO

I'll probably get tossed from the II for saying this, but I think the Matthew Stafford for Jared Goff trade worked for both teams. I especially admire what the Lions have built over the past few years. It's nice to see a former lowly division rival pick itself up by its bootstraps and become one of the best teams in the league. The NFC North is arguably the best division in football, and tough competition makes for exciting games.

Not at all. That's one of those trades where it worked out well for both sides. It's rare when you look five years into the future and have both teams say they'd do that trade all over again. Stafford put that Rams team over the top and Goff proved he's unequivocally a franchise QB in Detroit.

Dwight from Brooklyn, NY

What's the gameday weather forecast for the game with the Lions?

The current forecast calls for 58 degrees with 50% chance of rain. Ma Hod is officially listed as questionable due to the combination of the two.

Robert from Chandler, AZ

Which GB receiver would you say is fastest? Best hands? Hardest to bring down? Best run after catch?

Christian Watson is the fastest. Romeo Doubs has the best hands. Tucker Kraft – yes, I'm including a tight end – is the hardest to bring down. Best run after catch is close, but I'll say Watson.

Dale from Aurora, CO

If Jordan Love can't go against the Lions, I somehow am less concerned than I would normally be. I believe in the Malik Mystique and that he could get the job done. My big concern is the D, especially with Jaire Alexander and that rookie phenom Evan Williams being questionable.

A lot will be made of the quarterback situation this week for Green Bay, but how the Packers' defense handles the Lions' embarrassment of offensive riches is perhaps the biggest key to victory.

Anthony from Madison, WI

It is getting tiring looking ahead to games. Us fans spend all year looking forward to next week. I do too. But patience should be exercised. Enjoy the season as it unfolds. It is fleeting enough. The next game really doesn't matter, because results from the rest of the league have influence over the next game. It's spinning wheels to speculate without all the information each day. Watching the Packers in the '70s taught me a lot of patience.

I can appreciate it ain't easy to be where your feet are. It's an acquired skill. However, the season will be over before you know it. Until the NFL expands to a 26-week regular season – which may or may not be hyperbole at this point – you gotta appreciate each game for what it is, especially when it's being played at Lambeau Field.

Jim from Prairie du Chien, WI

Yesterday, Mike stated, "These guys will punch people in the mouth, and you have to be able to punch back." Respectfully, I'd much prefer throwing the first punch and hang around, you know, just to see if you might need to throw a few more. GPG!

There's also something to be said for allowing your opponent to punch themselves out, too. Either way, the Packers must withstand the initial siege and be the better team for 60 minutes. If the Lions try to nip at your ankles, be ready to throw the knee first.

Mike from Keshena, WI

Two questions: When Love isn't practicing but has a chance to play, do the first-team reps look more like the game plan for Love or Malik Willis? And then, if Willis is running the first-team reps who runs the scout team?

Sean Clifford runs the scout team on days, like Wednesday, when Love isn't practicing. I don't have a definitive answer to the first part of your question because LaFleur and Co. don't divulge that information. Given the dearth of available practice reps, however, I assume Willis is executing plays tailored to his skill set. Also, the offense is the offense. There's going to be symmetry in the gameplan that can work for either quarterback.

Bill from Bloomfield Hills, MI

Out of 32 teams, 12 are pretty obviously out for playoffs, 14 in and six close-to-very-close. GB has nine games left, only two against the 12. Do you recall a similar tough schedule facing us at the midpoint? Caveat is if the Bears fold it could get way better.

Teams are always rising and falling in America, am I right? Listen, you just have to stay in front of the tide. Once the dealing's done, we have the entire offseason to rank difficulty of schedule.

Wayne from Stevens Point, WI

I quote, "Just a textbook blitz pickup by RB Chris Brooks (30)." Yes, and I have been watching for a couple years now the importance of the "just a textbook blitz pickup." Seems a lot of bell-cow running backs haven't read that textbook. In fact, as great a RB as Josh Jacobs is, I see other RBs in our backfield when a pass is likely. Any comments on the textbook?

Jacobs is proficient in pass protection, but I think what Brooks offers the Packers is a third-down running back (ala Tony Fisher). In Jacksonville, Brooks looked stout in pass protection on one play and then laid out for a catch on the next. He's another example of the Packers doing their homework and pro personnel guys finding under-the-radar players who can help this football team in the here and now.

Chase from Carmichael, CA

Final thoughts on FG vs TD. The pro-TD crowd needs to consider the way the defense was performing at the end, and the fact that Malik Willis had zero practice reps. They actually used that to their advantage and caught the Jags out of position. Unlikely they were going to pull it off twice. With Jordan Love healthy, I could see it either way pending how the defense is feeling.

You don't have to be Bill Belichick to appreciate the situation. Even if the decision doesn't make sense to you, look at it this way – there's a reason the Jaguars were trying to let the Packers score. If the opposition wants you to do something, it's probably in your best interest not to do that thing.

Vincent from Green Bay, WI

In response to Mark, from Eureka, Mike stated "Killing the clock for a walk-off chip shot is absolutely the way to go. No debate." I agree with Mike given that the game was tied. If the Packers were down one or two points and would lose on a missed field goal, I would say take the touchdown and your chances to keep them out of the end zone. Wes/Mike, would your decision to take the field goal vs. touchdown be impacted by the fact that a missed field goal doesn't lose the game?

Probably not. Listen, if you can't make a 24-yard field goal, you don't deserve to win the game. End of story.

Jeff from Indian Lake, NY

Does Carrington Valentine have an NFL interception yet? If Jaire can't go this week, I think this is the C.V. breakout game. Spoff said a few weeks back he felt his time was coming. With first place in the division up for grabs and Jared Goff playing lights out so far this season, I say it's time to flip the script.

Valentine logged some major minutes for the Packers last season but is still searching for that first regular-season interception. While Valentine has been nicked up a time or two this season, he's been off the injury report for a few weeks now. If Valentine is called upon Sunday, I'm confident No. 24 will be ready to do his thing.

Hannes from Glendale, WI

Good morning! In the last five games, Goff has thrown only 18 passes incomplete with a single interception. Without math, I have no way of telling how that would average out per game, but it seems like it'll be hard to win against the Lions if that goes on. Is their offensive line able to keep him that comfortable or has he just been balling out?

Glass-half-full Hod looks at this submission as maybe Goff is due for a pick or two. The Lions boast a talented offensive line, but Goff also gets the ball out so quickly.

Bones from Ripon, WI

So, the Lions' defense has given up 24 first downs via penalty this season. How many have the Packers given up?

Twelve. Coincidentally, the Packers' penalty yardage differential has dropped from minus-126 to minus-27 during their win streak. Even crazier? The Lions are 6-1 despite being minus-114 penalty yards. Playing clean football would help Sunday.

Brian from Fort Atkinson, WI

OK, I loved the Packers get scared video. By far the best one was Romeo Doubs. He showed the exact same emotion as after he scores a TD, Nothing. To all those worried he isn't happy being on the team because he doesn't even look happy after a TD reception, just watch his reaction after they attempt to scare him. I don't know why it got me so much, but I actually laughed until I had tears in my eyes. Shout out to the crew that put that piece together.

Romeo Doubs is the epitome of cool. I also loved Jordan Morgan's reaction. You gotta do better than that to catch the dude who loves horror movies.

Ray from Phoenix, AZ

Any word on the return of MarShawn Lloyd? I believe he can add another weapon with his breakaway speed.

Nothing new on Lloyd, who's been out since injuring his ankle against Indianapolis in Week 2.

Dustin from Kansas City, MO

What can you tell us about Jamin Davis? I remember him being an exciting prospect coming out of college but haven't heard much about him since. Hopefully we can unlock his full potential, and he'll turn into Gutey's next big signing.

He's a former first-round pick (No. 19 overall) who started 36 of his 50 games in Washington. It's my understanding the Commanders moved him from middle linebacker to defensive end this offseason. He's back inside in Green Bay and a name to keep an eye on during the second half of the year.

Bill from Brooklyn Park, MN

Lions fans, and even Lions media, are already in full uproar over the fact that Clete Blakeman and crew have been assigned as officials for Sunday's Packers/Lions game. What are the II's thoughts on him, and on this assignment?

I appreciated how kind and helpful Blakeman was while explaining the 2024 rule changes to the Green Bay media corps earlier this summer. At the same time, I'll always equate his name with the 2020-21 NFC Championship Game, and I'll always say that contest was poorly officiated. That's just the way it's gonna be. The North remembers, Lord Davos. The North remembers.

Grant from Janesville, WI

Says David from Minneapolis: "Seven teams have fewer wins than Willis, including one with a former Packers QB on it." He must definitely mean Tim Boyle on the Dolphins.

Indubitably.

Logan from Marysville, OH

So, I am taking my mom to the Packers-Lions game this weekend for her birthday. This will be both of ours first times visiting Lambeau. What are the dining locations with potentially the most embarrassing birthday celebration?

El Sarape has been known to make me blush.

Etienne from St. Joachim de Tourelle, Canada

In a forum where the two pencil acolytes are doing a wonderful job of not falling into the trap of telling what people want to hear (hello No. 1 WR), why are people complaining about the II narrative? You don't like it, don't read it, period. Why would a guy read, and rage reply anyway? I look ahead of the bye week, so what? I am a fan. I fandom any way I want to. Mike and Wes are professional, even-keeled journalists who are way closer than most of us from the game. Leave them alone.

Please do not poke the pencil acolyte.

Jeremy from Weston, WI

Hey II, Mike and Wes, Happy Halloween! What are your favorite Halloween candies?

It used to be Reese's and Sour Patch Kids. Now, it's whatever the kiddo doesn't eat.

Mike from Keshena, WI

What precisely are the two of you full of? "It" is a little vague for me.

Baloney. Happy Halloween, everyone.