Inbox Buzz: Teams Have Pulled Back and Become More Cautious
Jeff from Littlefork, MN kicks things off with a chuckle: "Is the rule about reading content before accessing the Inbox because you've already answered 90% of our questions?" That’s a good one! And yes, a few extra clicks keep the bean counters happy.
Pete from Caledonia, MI offers a witty take on a familiar football maneuver: "The old footstep, fall again, then scamper for a touchdown—hadn’t thought about that play. Could that have been Jacksonville’s planned move?" Another clever insight.
Mike from New Orleans, LA is quick to keep the momentum going: "Could the Packers hire whoever managed to get Jackson Chourio’s hamstring healed so swiftly?" This crowd is really on fire today.
Shawn from Colby, WI says, "Good morning Spoff. It looks like we’re facing Flacco again this Sunday. Do you see this recent familiarity as an edge for Flacco or for us?"
The answer? Not really a clear advantage either way. Flacco has five days to prepare for a new offense, and if the Bengals believe that system gives them the best shot against the Packers, it’s likely a slight edge to Green Bay. This just reinforces what was said earlier—the game hinges more on how the Packers play than on the opponent’s threats. Play your own style, clean up some errors, and get the job done. Simple as that.
Mark from Ishpeming, MI shares some concerns: "I sense trouble coming. Flacco beat us once; hopefully not again on Sunday."
Here’s the catch—Flacco didn’t really beat the Packers. His passer rating was a modest 55.6, needing 21 completions for just 142 yards, and no play went beyond 17 yards. It was the Packers’ mistakes that cost them. The key? Avoid repeating those same mistakes.
Scott from Salem, OR poses an intriguing question: "Has the Packers ever faced the same quarterback twice in a season while that QB played for two different teams? What were the results?"
That’s a popular one! In fact, it happened once during the era covered here. In 2011, Kyle Orton started for the Broncos in Week 4 when the Packers won 49-23. Later, as a Chief in Week 15, he helped spoil Green Bay’s perfect season with a 19-14 victory.
Mark from Austin, TX is curious: "With the Flacco trade, Sunday’s game got more interesting. Have any quarterbacks defeated the same opponent twice in one season while playing for two different teams?"
According to Associated Press records dating back to 1950, only Jack Kemp has achieved this—he beat the (AFL) New York Titans twice in 1962, once with the Chargers and once with the Bills.
Jon from Willmar, MN is looking ahead: "We’re getting healthier! Where do you see the biggest challenges in facing the Bengals?"
Simple: contain pass rusher Trey Hendrickson, cover star receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. They pose the biggest threat to the Packers.
Jason from Boyle, MS wonders about special teams tweaks: "Anything new to expect from special teams against the Bengals?"
The short answer: clean execution. That’s all that’s needed from the third phase of the game.
Mike from Fort Myers, FL brings an interesting stat comparison: "Emanuel Wilson is averaging 4.9 yards per carry this season and 5.0 over two-plus seasons, whereas Josh Jacobs averages just 3.3 this year and 4.2 overall. Why such a difference, and should Wilson get more carries?"
Here’s a perspective: as a defender, which back do you fear more entering the game—Jacobs or Wilson? Wilson tends to be a change-of-pace back while Jacobs is the primary workhorse. Their roles differ significantly, impacting these stats.
Rick from Trempealeau, WI eyes Xavier McKinney: "I’ve been waiting for a big play. Are offenses avoiding him or is he just quietly doing his job and waiting for moments to shine?"
Watch closely—after his strong five games last year, teams started avoiding throwing his way. Now QBs rarely test him deep between the numbers, recognizing he’s a big coverage hazard.
Adam from Madison, WI reflects on Jordan Love: "Early on in his career, Love often gambled late in close games, which was thrilling. Recently, he’s shown real improvement in clutch moments, even if wins haven’t come every time."
Looking back at Love’s record: in 2023, out of seven late close-game drives, he succeeded three times with Packers going 2-5 overall. In 2024, he was perfect in those moments, going 3 for 3, and although recent games lacked wins, his improvement in late-game execution is clear and promising.
Bob from Grand Rapids, MI is puzzled by a technical detail in a recent analysis of screen passes: "How come in some screen plays, blockers like Rhyan and Jenkins are 3-5 yards downfield without penalty, yet in others, it seems a player alone downfield might be flagged?"
Here’s the clarification—if the pass is behind the line of scrimmage, ineligible receivers can legally move downfield since the screen pass is designed to allow blockers to get ahead and open lanes.
Patrick from Ashland, WI requests a rule explanation: "Can someone explain the rule about 'covering' and 'uncovering' tackles or tight ends? It’s confusing and causes illegal formation penalties."
Ineligible receivers (linemen wearing numbers 50-79) cannot line up at the end of the line of scrimmage. To keep formations legal, an eligible receiver (a tight end or wide receiver) must line up on the line outside each tackle, essentially 'covering' the tackle. If that receiver is even slightly behind the line, the tackle is left 'uncovered,' resulting in an illegal formation.
Thomas from Madison, WI wants to know about Brenton Cox Jr.’s injury status: "Does the bye week count toward the four-week injured reserve minimum? Any updates on his recovery?"
The rule is four games, not calendar weeks, so the bye week doesn’t count. Cox must miss one more game before he can return. No new updates on his recovery yet.
Mindy from Salt Lake City, UT asks about Devonte Wyatt’s knee injury specifics.
No official details have been released yet. The fact he hasn't been placed on injured reserve is at least a hopeful sign.
Scott from Holly Springs, NC wonders if Christian Watson will play limited snaps when he returns.
Absolutely. His first game back will likely involve a snap count. It’s unlikely he’ll be on the field for 50-plus snaps right away.
John from Temple City, CA shares excitement about Watson and Matthew Golden playing together: "Has Green Bay ever had two receivers this fast on the field simultaneously?"
There have been some fast duos like Freeman with Beebe or Schroeder, and earlier, Lofton and Epps, so Green Bay has a history of speedy receiver pairs.
Duff from LeRoy, WI recounts an eye-opening experience in Colorado post-Broncos game radio: "Despite a thrilling fourth-quarter comeback and victory over one of the last undefeated teams, half the callers sounded like their team lost. I can’t imagine how your Inbox looks after a Packers loss. Thanks for everything you do."
Many fans can be harsh when their young QB and coach can muster only three points in three quarters, even if they eventually win. Not surprising at all.
Greg from Big Lake, MN notes tough weeks ahead for early favorites like Eagles, Chiefs, Ravens, Bills, Chargers, and Rams.
Another interesting stat: seven teams are sporting a 4-1 record. According to NFL Research, it’s only the fourth time in Super Bowl era history that no team remains unbeaten entering Week 6—the first since 2014.
Curt from Antioch, IL questions whether recent changes like early bye weeks, shorter preseason, mandated rest days, and scheduling quirks take away from football’s "purity."
In truth, the game’s "pure" form shifted long ago, especially with new rules protecting quarterbacks and defenseless players. These changes, although beneficial for player safety and the sport’s future, have forever altered the traditional feel of football.
Rich from Manitou Springs, CO compares today’s 13-game season with no midseason bye to the 16-game seasons of the 70s and 80s with no bye weeks, wondering which is harder.
It’s all relative to the era and challenges the teams face currently. The difficulties may differ but no definitive indication that one era’s schedule is inherently tougher than the other’s.
Derek from Maple Grove, MN jokingly predicts: "The Pats are headed for a tie this weekend, aren't they?"
The response: Absolutely counting on it!
Sharon from Lakewood Ranch, FL offers praise mixed with a light roast: "I read everything you post, taking the good and bad and sometimes sparking debate just to get a reaction—knowing it makes you sigh, 'not her again!' Hope it was a good bye and that winning Packers are back!"
Your honesty shines, Sharon. Those sighs are reserved for truly baffling submissions.
Duane from La Crosse, WI challenges the coach: "Is LaFleur going to bench Jordan for inconsistency in advancing in scoring position?"
A solid question there.
Kevin from Chemung, IL is frustrated with MLB’s strike zone graphics showing incorrect calls and wonders if this is a deliberate attempt, like the NFL’s officiating controversies, to stir fan emotions.
MLB plans to allow challenges on balls and strikes next year, but this seems like a step toward a fully automated strike zone—an inevitable change since robot umpires won’t slow the game down.
Scott from Sauk City, WI adds that baseball has also undergone major changes, from pitch clocks to lineup rules, shift banning, designated hitter rules, postseason format tweaks, and more, proving transformation isn’t unique to football.
Jon from Stambaugh, MI applauds a sharp line from the column, though humorously points out the Packers.com site launched five years after Ray Nitschke passed.
Lastly, Allen from Fairhope, AL sums up the mood: "A tie followed by a bye feels like two ties—time to get back to winning!"
Happy Wednesday everyone. And here’s a bold question to wrap this up: With all these developments and opinion splits, what’s your take—are the Packers truly shaping up to dominate, or are hidden issues still lurking? Share your thoughts below.
