Hey everybody, thanks for logging on today. I see questions coming in already so I'll just get rolling.

Hey Mike, thanks for doing this chat every week. Who would be your offensive playmaker you're looking out for this week to help us keep pace with the Lions offense?

No matter who's at QB, the Packers need to stay balanced on offense. Josh Jacobs needs to produce, and keep spreading the ball around on the perimeter. That's what they did against the Jaguars, even though the QB switch, and it's when this offense is at its best.

Morning Mike. What is Carrington Valentine's status? I believe he is healthy now but does not appear to be getting many snaps.

The defensive coaches have been going with the "best 5" approach as it relates to the nickel defense -- putting the best 5 DBs out there. But now with Evan Williams and Jaire Alexander banged up and their status uncertain, GB's depth is going to come in handy. All hands on deck this week.

Regarding game blog...Is there a way to quickly s roll to the beginning and read the whole thing? It's painful doing it on the phone, but worth it.

I don't know how it works/displays on the user end, so I can't help you there. I have to believe there's a way, though.

Mike, it seemed like there were a lot more stunts and deception on the defensive front against the Texans, and less so against the Jaguars last week. Do you think Hafley brings more of that this week to more effectively get pressure against a good Lions O-line?

Hafley didn't blitz much vs. the Jags because when he did, Lawrence got the ball out quickly and made a play against it. I don't think there were many fewer stunts up front and such, they just didn't work as often. Jax's O-line handled it better than some other teams. One time a funky look did work was the Edgerrin Cooper strip sack.

Is Tucker Kraft one of the best TE's out there at the moment??Seems like he can and does, do it all?

He's a rising star in this league. I don't think there's any doubt about that. He's a complete TE with his blocking, pass catching, and run after catch abilities. So much to like about his game.

How do the Packers and Lions match up in the trenches?

That's where I thought the Lions showed a decided edge in the first meeting last season, but the Packers' defensive front won the rematch on Thanksgiving with the pressure on Goff, leading to multiple fumbles. I like what the Packers have on both lines this year and how those units have developed. The Lions like what they have too, for good reason. Should be a great matchup, and if anyone's got an edge in the trenches, that will go a long way.

Cooper NFC defensive player of the week! Impressive accolade for the rookie!

First Packers rookie to get that award since Nick Barnett in 2003.

Does Goff have a good understanding of the Packer defense?

He knows a lot of the personnel (not all), and I'm sure he's studying how Hafley is running things this year. Goff has so much experience it's not as though you're going to fool him with anything. You just have to execute and beat the guy across from you.

Hey Mike. Question about Love's performance this season so far. He's clearly ahead of where he was last year at this time, but he's making some really bad reads, it seems. Is he not quite seeing things the same way as he did the last half of last year, or is the knee bothering him in more subtle ways than are obvious?

The INT in Jacksonville wasn't great, obviously, but he threw for almost 200 yards with a groin injury. I don't think that can be discounted. I don't know about "not quite seeing things the same way." Defenses had all offseason to study him and make adjustments. It'll be an ongoing battle in that regard his whole career. When you play the way he did down the stretch last season, everyone gets put on high alert.

How soon will the new linebacker be ready to move up to the 53?

I don't know what the Packers' plans are for Jamin Davis, but that's a heck of a signing to get a former first-round draft pick on the practice squad for a look-see. Color me curious.

Hi Mike, Speaking of T Kraft, there was no national accolades for him on National TE Day even though he had comparable numbers to those that were mentioned on TV etc. I feel like he's the type that will take notice, even if so privately. Which would be a good thing for the Packers. Also hope that Luke Musgrave comes back and can make an impact this season as well.

It would be great to get Musgrave healthy again. He's got something to offer this offense too. Kraft wants to be the best and that's what he works for. If he is or is not getting any accolades, it's not going to change how he works.

Good morning Mike….I know your philosophy has always been to qualify for the playoffs, and hope to be healthy and playing well….which is really all you can ask for. It looks like the winner of the North may well be the 1 or 2-seed, while the second-place team in the division can be no better than the 5-seed. So although relatively early in the season, this week's game has added meaning for sure.

The Lions can in essence take control of the division with a win Sunday. That would mean they've beaten both the Vikings and Packers on the road, with the rematches both in Detroit. That's the catbird seat. If the Packers win, there's no front runner and it's totally up for grabs.

Morning Mike, hope all is well. I saw that the Lions have the 27th ranked passing defense, yet have only allowed 6 passing TDs. Curious to see how this game plays out!

They've given up a fair amount of yards and get flagged a lot, but they force a lot of field goals and they get INTs. They've got 10, same as the Packers.

Hi Mike, we seem to be getting allot of pressure on the QB but not allot of sacks. Is that a function of offenses getting the ball out quicker or are our defensive linemen just not quick enough or is it scheme?

I thought the defense did a great job making QBs relatively uncomfortable after the Vikings game. Then Lawrence, despite taking a couple of hits, wasn't feeling as much heat. Early in the game, I thought he was trying to throw quickly and not connecting. As the game unfolded and his pass protection was holding up perhaps better than he thought, he started to get more throws downfield. It's a weekly battle. No two games are ever the same.

What are your thoughts about Eric Stokes so far this year? Seems like he might be a crucial piece this week in slowing down St Brown et al if Alexander and Williams can't go

Like I said before, it's all hands on deck in the secondary. Stokes, Valentine, Zayne Anderson, Corey Ballentine ... everybody's gotta be ready for their number to be called.

I didn't watch the last lions game maybe you did? If so, were the returns more good blocking or poor coverage? Either way, Our special teams will need to be on point in that aspect. Thanks again for all you guys do.

The Lions torched the Titans on special teams. Two huge returns. I didn't study them but I'm sure Bisaccia and Co. are. That's another high alert area this week.

Mike, if both Evan Williams and Jaire Alexander are out this week, who do you expect to take over their starting roles?

Javon Bullard would be the safety alongside Xavier McKinney, and then it would be Stokes or Valentine opposite Keisean Nixon, and maybe both in nickel to move Nixon into the slot.

Oh, correction on the Cooper defensive player of the week thing ... not first rookie since Barnett, but first rookie since Matthews in '09. My bad.

Even with no practice time for J love, do you think he has a shot to play. I know we are always cautious with players coming back, but you have to think with the importance of this game things would be diffrent right?

LaFleur said if he can go, he'll go. So I take that to mean even if he can't practice he'll play if available. They can do a lot of walk-through reps on Friday and Saturday if that's what it comes to.

Love threw into very tight coverage many times last year and got away with it. Skill? Or luck that has not gone his way as often this year?

Probably some of both. He's definitely taken more chances this year but that's all a part of a young QB figuring it out.

Another week of smash mouth football Mike. The division is beginning to return to the Blach & Blue fame of yorn.

Both of these teams can run the ball, too.

Lions CBs like to be physical and the plethora of flags doesn't seem to deter them. How do the Packers exploit their physicality?

Be prepared for the hand-fighting, and running route concepts out of bunch formations can make it harder for them to reach and grab.

What's your Halloween costume this year?

Sports writer.

How well do you feel the Packers have been against the run defensively under Hafley compared to previous years? Do you think they have what it takes to slow down Sonic and Knuckles?

The run defense has given up too many 10-plus runs for my liking, but on balance they're holding a good number of carries to 2 yards or less. This group works better as a unit stopping the run than others in recent years, the way they surround the ball.

Will the Lions need to blitz more without Hutchinson?

Again, that falls into the "see how the game is going" category. The Lions had four sacks in the first game Hutch missed, but only one last week I believe.

Some would say the costume should be clown.

Hopefully that costume is being retired.

What do you think about the packers playing it safe and let Jordan Love, Alexander sit out the Lion game to rest and get healthy. Bye week next week so they would have 3 weeks to rest and get ready for the rest of the season.

That's a popular theory, and I understand the thought process. But if someone is healthy enough to play, they're getting paid to play. If there's undue risk of making an injury worse, than I would expect them to not get cleared.

Any news on Josh Jacobs's health as he seemed a little hobbled at the end of the Jags game?

LaFleur said he wanted to go back in, so I don't think it's a big deal. He might have his practice reps limited this week, but hopefully it's nothing.

Hi Mike, It's interesting GB & DET are almost identical in rushing yards per game with 156.9 & 156.7 respectively. Rushing yards fits big into your winning the LOS take. Also, Brooks has gotten a number of snaps the past two weeks, including in key situations. Wilson has the ability to break the long one. Brooks seems assignment sure, but we haven't seen anything substantial in terms of production. What are Brooks' strengths the coaches like so much?

I think it's what you said -- assignment sure. When you have that, then if the QB wants to can a run play to a pass play, there are no worries with him in there.

LaFleur is playing it close to the vest about Love's groin injury. From what I read about groin injuries, it takes a minimum of 2-4 weeks to heal. I'm sure that Dan Campbell knows that too, but maybe it plants a seed of doubt in his mind

I'm not a doctor, but all I know is different players heal differently.

Could the injuries from last game come from dehydration?

Didn't strike me as that. Usually dehydration leads to cramps first. I don't recall seeing guys cramping up.

For all of Love's troubles so far this year, just read he's leading the league in TD %age. If he can get the INT numbers down, we can beat anyone, anywhere.

This offense is far from its peak. Part of that has been Love's injuries. Another part has been penalties, which have been reduced lately. Another part is turnovers, which need to come down. Their best is still out there.

Bring out the hat with "PRESS" card in the hatband for your next video.

With the team wearing the 50s Classics this week, that would be a good idea for the press box Sunday.

I remain enamored with the idea of a sophomore RB without a career touchdown deliberately not scoring in order to help his team. What other selfless team-first acts have you seen that are most memorable to you?

Nothing pops into my head, but while what Chris Brooks did cost him a souvenir and keepsake, I guarantee you it earned him more playing time.

What are your thoughts on the varied playcalling approach by Lafleur when Love vs Willis in under center? The run game seems to be under utilized when Love is playing.

I think that's only natural with a QB like Love and all the weapons. Explosive plays have a strong correlation to points. There are all sorts of statistics to support that. I'll also say when Love was limping around with the groin injury, it seemed the under center snaps stopped and they went all shotgun due to the limited mobility. That can impact the running game as well.

Gutekunst seems to draft more for athletic traits and potential, Rashan Gary, Stokes, Lukas Van Ness, Walker, in the first round and has gotten burned a few times. Do you think he will change his philosophy going forward. Missing on first round picks is dangerous and can set teams back. He is fortunate that he has hit on later round picks though, which has offset the above first round mistakes.

The Packers believe in their scouting and evaluation process, whatever the round. They don't do anything differently based on where they're picking. It's a crystal ball business and they try to project what a player is going to become. That's how you find difference-makers. It doesn't always turn out that way, but it doesn't turn out that way for about half the league if you look at first rounds through the years.

Passing may the key this week but we need to keep the run game active in every game so it's clicking come December.

I would agree there. The Packers aren't going to ignore the run with a guy like Jacobs back there. In an ideal world, he can set up play-action, but that's been only here or there early in the season due to the many reasons I previously listed.

Packers weren't very good in the 50's. Not sure wearing those uniforms is good mojo.

That wasn't the consideration.

What we going have to do to limit the lions explosive plays

Stay keyed into assignments, and tackle. The Lions will scheme up stuff to distract players from sticking to their assignment, so the Packers can't get thrown off. And GB has to tackle better than it did in Jax. It was a poor tackling game, a rarity this year, but it cropped up.

Do you think the NFL will ever see the return of the FB position? Or is this a "rose by any other name" situation?

Most teams have found using TEs in the backfield gets the job done for certain packages and provides the versatility desired without using a roster spot strictly on a FB.

Right now, who's more important to the defense; Williams or Alexander? Hard to believe the defense suffered so much without Williams

LaFleur admitted to the domino effect when Williams went out. I think there are larger issues at play if a rookie's absence changes things that much, but it can be a challenge shifting into other spots if you haven't repped there much. I would expect a lot of repping for versatility in practice this week.

Gold package. Will there be a lot of Lions in the crowd

No idea. Probably. Lions fans are jazzed up about their team, and understandably so. Anything on the secondary market is fair game and it doesn't take them long to get here.

I didn't really see too much of the not getting to the quarterback problem last week. I saw a quarterback who was able to overcome pressure. Is Goff that capable of dealing with a man in his face.

Whether a QB is capable or not, that's still what you want to do. It makes life more difficult, and uncomfortable. Sometimes one mistake at the right/wrong time can change a game.

Freddy Freeman homer tonight odds?

Is that crazy or what? Unreal.

Hi Mike! Just joining after finishing WYMM. If Reed breaks free of the tackle on that last reception, do you think he goes down at the 2 or takes it in?

I'm guessing he would've scored. The Jags still had two timeouts left. Brooks didn't go down until he had gotten the first down and Jax was down to one timeout.

If Willis plays, does LF open the play-book for him a bit more? I like the run heavy stuff, but it seems Willis has earned a bit more latitude

I don't think it's a matter of opening the playbook more. It's a matter of how much more of the offense he knows now compared to Weeks 2-3, right after he had first gotten here.

Will late Sunday be a weather day?

Forecast isn't great at the moment but it's only Wednesday.

All right, I think we'll call it a chat. I have to get out to practice soon. Thanks for all the questions and we'll talk again soon.

Best,

Mike