It speaks highly of responding well

Mike Spofford

Paul from De Pere, WI

If the cameraman gets caught mixing his pixie stix for his sugar fix licks amidst theKeisean Nixontrick for the Nix pick six, he will probably fail to take any good pics. I hopeBrandon McManusmakes his kicks.

And once again we're off, so we might as well get going.

Benjamin from Burlington, VT

Footballs thrown in the stands are a safety issue, but one of the announcers also provided more insight a few weeks ago. They said that any time a football goes to a fan someone swaps it out with a different football so that the data chips from gameplay balls don't make their way into the public.

Well, so much for tearing down any laser goalposts, then.

Dan from Algonquin, IL

Hi Mike, in solidarity with Bushwood, I don't gamble on sports, but it is shocking that the Packers are favored on the road against the AFC 's No. 1 seed. Anyway, are there any bigger keys to the game for the Packers than strong O-line play and disrupting Nix with the pass rush?

Stay in manageable third downs and tackle well. Sean Payton offenses like to get the ball out quickly and have short completions rupture. Missed tackles can turn into killers.

Jack from Chicago, IL

Against a really good defense like Denver I think field position will be the key to the game. CanDaniel Whelangive them long fields? Can our defense turn the ball over in plus territory? Can the return units provide a spark?

All valid.

Tony from Chanhassen, MN

With Denver's relentless pass rush and man-heavy coverage, do you see Green Bay utilizing more designed rollouts withJordan Love? Seems like we could use some of what Chicago did to us against Denver. Do you think that plays to Love's strengths?

It's certainly an option, and I'm sure the Packers' coaches have studied other teams' plans against Denver and whether moving pockets have provided the intended effect. One thing about play-action rollouts typically the edge rusher on the rollout side is left unblocked. If he doesn't bite on the play-action and goes straight at the QB, the play is likely wrecked.

Vince from Mableton, GA

II guys, just an observation: OnJosh Jacobs' amazing Houdini act 21-yard game-changer, Jordan Love pitched him the ball with his left arm. If taking Love off the injury report was not a satisfactory indicator of where his shoulder health is, I think that play shows he has no limitations now. I'm also pretty sure his right arm is OK, too.

I don't recall seeing any off-hand handoffs last Sunday, either.

Ross from Hudson, WI

Given the ferocity of the front four of Denver, and their propensity to blitz, isChris Brooksone of the top six or seven impact players this week?

Maybe, but the Broncos get plenty of pressure from their front without blitzing per se, because they often line up with five bigs and just let them go. It's one extra rusher, but it's not a typical blitz where he's coming from the second level. Plus, the Packers have really made teams pay for blitzing lately and compromising their coverage (just ask the Bears and Vikings). So color me curious as to how much Denver will actually blitz their 'backers and DBs in this game.

Rob from Circle Pines, MN

Does Love have quick enough release for the aggressive, sack-happy Denver defense?

As long as his guys win their one-on-ones.

Perry from Ishpeming, MI

I'm glad Denver's pass rush was addressed. Looking at their box scores, they had six sacks of Cam Ward in his first NFL start, nine on Justin Fields in a debacle, and a combined 10 on the Raiders. That's 25 of their 55. The only game I checked which surprised me was they had six against Philly. And in that one, guard Landon Dickerson only played 12 snaps. What am I missing that should worry us? Go Pack Go!

Well, 30 in the other 10 games is still no small number. The Packers have 33 sacks all season. As I said on our latest "Unscripted," Bonitto and Cooper are trouble on the edges, butRasheed WalkerandZach Tomhave held their own all year. This game could come down to Green Bay's revamped interior three (a healthyAaron Banks,Sean Rhyanin forElgton Jenkins, and the rookieAnthony Belton) against Allen and Franklin-Myers, who have combined for 11 sacks inside. That's a lot.

Rich from El Cerrito, CA

I've always felt that a good way to deal with an undersized pass rusher like Nik Bonitto is to run the ball right at them with plenty of combo blocks and chips. Have you seen an ability of teams to run right at him? What weaknesses does he have in his game?

The Broncos are first in the league in yards per carry allowed at just 3.7. So their run defense is plenty stout. I'm sure the Packers will try running at Bonitto. It certainly worked in Pittsburgh against T.J. Watt.

Kevin from Kirkland, IL

My problem with too many "can" calls is that it basically tells the defense what the play is. Line up in two-deep, can to a run; seven men on the line of scrimmage, can to a quick pass. If the defense stays in their formation fine, but nowadays defenses show an alignment and change at the snap, and you've just tricked yourself not the other team.

The defense might be disguising something, but it's extremely risky to alter a defensive call between the time the QB gives the "earmuffs" signal to the snap of the ball. If the entire defense isn't on the same page to adjust quickly enough, disaster can strike.

Sean from Boulder, CO

Not only does a "can call" not necessarily lead to a run play, the "can" can be a bluff in itself. Millions of people watch games every week but the beauty is even the most astute viewers don't have access to the complexities of what they see on the field, just the results and a guess. Anyone who tells you different is lying.

That, too.

Jeff from Athens, WI

Troy Vincent on Wednesday during an interview with NFL Network said they discussed officiating at the first virtual league meeting this week. He expressly noted a need for consistency in how the games are called and specifically mentioned illegal formation on the kickoff, pass interference, but it was very obvious the lack of holding calls was not mentioned and it seemed intentional. Does the league not want holding to be called because it would slow the games down and maybe lower scores?

Now you're catching on.

Mike from Las Vegas, NV

What do you guys think of the CFB bracket and your opinion of Notre Dame saying no thanks?

I addressed Notre Dame, among numerous other topics, inmy mid-week live chat.

Vote Now

Steve from Rockford, IL

Truly enjoyedthe Bullard article, but it brings to mind in the very near recent past of a few years ago when the safety position was an obvious weak link for the Pack. You could make the case now that the safety room may be one of if not the strongest of them all. Is that fair?

Yes. Where the Packers are now at safety compared to just two years ago is apples and orangutans.

Bruce from Lompoc, CA

Phillip Rivers is one year from HOF eligibility, and has signed with the Colts. He is currently on the practice squad, how does that affect his eligibility? Has a HOF player ever played in the NFL after they were selected to Hall of Fame?

Rivers was already named a semifinalist for Canton's class of '26, but his five-year wait will reset if/when Indy puts him on the active roster, which it sounds like could happen this weekend.

Craig from Medford, OR

Any other colleges besides Oregon with three active and successful quarterbacks in the NFL (Nix, Herbert, Mariota)?

As far as current starters, I could only find schools with two: Louisville (Jackson, Shough), Cal (Rodgers, Goff), Bama (Young, Tua), Oklahoma (Hurts, Mayfield) and USC (Darnold, Williams).

Keith from Lincoln, IL

Have you seen any stats that show the Packers' defensive performance after the Packers go three-and-out on offense vs. any other result? It feels like this year's defense (probably most defenses) perform better after a longer offensive drive, but I wondered if the statistics bear that out. Thanks!

ATMR (WCBW), the Packers have gone three-and-out and punted on offense 25 times this season. Following those, the opposition has scored only nine times (six TDs, three FGs, along with one missed FG, nine punts, three turnovers, two turnovers on downs, one end of half). That feels like it speaks highly of responding well in those situations. For what it's worth, five of the nine scores have come in just two games Pittsburgh (two FGs, one TD) and Chicago (two TDs).

Doug from Woodington, OH

Good morning, Insiders. Mike, how would you evaluateXavier McKinney's season so far? His name isn't popping up as often during broadcasts this year, but that doesn't necessarily reflect his impact. What's your read?

I'm still waiting for McKinney to be in coverage on a deep ball from the opposition. They just don't challenge him when he's back there. He's been more active around the line of scrimmage and as a blitzer this year than last. We've also heard from Hafley how he's not only the primary communicator but also the master disguiser for coverages, and his effectiveness is praised. Getting the QB to pause just an extra tick trying to figure out what the defense is running is a win.

Thaddeus from La Jolla, CA

Did anyone notice the play thatMicah Parsonsdropped back into coverage? There were two Bears linemen just standing there looking completely lost. It was hilarious.

That's become an occasional change-up in Hafley's front calls to, again, hopefully create a moment of pause if not confusion.

Mark from Ishpeming, MI

I realize the passes completed on the Bears' last drive were on first and second down with another incomplete pass in between. With it most likely being their last drive and trailing by a TD why wasn't the Packer defense playing pass first with so little time remaining?

The Bears took over on their own 26-yard line with 3:26 left and four timeouts (including the two-minute). The clock wasn't a factor at the start of the drive.

Mark from Bettendorf, IA

It's always interesting how Gutey addresses a position of need, and how often it works out well. It feels like he's doubling down again with the two DL he signed this week. Is this your perception?

The personnel department never rests. Effective big men are the hardest commodity to find when needed, so any available options they feel might be an upgrade are worth a look. Grabbing two is probably just hedging their bets.

Ryan from Ypsilanti, MI

Hi Insiders, hope you are enjoying the frozen tundra more than the ice box here in Michigan. On deep playoff runs, there are always breakout stars. Who has the potential to be "that guy" down the stretch?

Jayden Reed.

Craig from Sussex, WI

You two are too young to have witnessed James Lofton playing (other than highlights), he ran eerily similar toChristian Watson. Sometimes they look like the same player only Lofton might have had slightly better hands.

You're too kind. I watched Lofton play plenty. I can see some similarities, but they're built differently. Lofton had a longer stride, I believe, and Watson is about 15 pounds bigger.

Clarence from Linden, TX

What happened to logic? When a ball carrier's progress is stopped, and is driven backward, he is awarded his point of progress. Illogically, when a ball carrier's progress is stopped, but then is awarded more forward progress by means of "rush push or pull" he is awarded more forward progress. Do you see the inconsistency?

Clearly, Clarence.

Richard from Madison, WI

About "home-field advantage." The Packers are 5 of 7 (71%) at home and 4 of 6 (75%) on the road. Who else has a better road than home record? AFC: Patriots, Ravens, Titans, Raiders; NFC: Vikings, Buccaneers, Saints, Seahawks, 49ers, Cardinals 11 out of 32 teams. I'm not so sure how big an edge a home field provides in this age of parity.

Of the 11 teams you listed, I count only five in playoff contention, and there are 21 teams legitimately alive for the 14 spots. So I'd still rather play at home.

Jeff from Omaha, NE

It's interesting to see how much the bottom teams in the league can influence the playoff picture this time of year. Cleveland was our worst loss of the season, and are eliminated from playoff contention. But this week they play Chicago. Will they pack it in and give the Bears an easy win, or fight hard, maybe pull an upset, and deal a huge blow to Chicago's playoff hopes? Teams with little to play for can really affect the playoff landscape.

The Bucs have fallen to the Saints and Falcons within the last week, otherwise the biggest upset we've seen is the Panthers beating the Rams (and Carolina is certainly not out of it). You just never know.

Rob from Wilmington, NC

11.5 wins*

Yeah.

Alex from Bozeman, MT

I'm hesitant to put this into the universe, but to show how tight the NFC is this year, there is a possibility that the Packers could go 6-0 within the division but the Lions or Bears (oh my) could be the division champ. It would be only the second time in NFL history that a team would go undefeated in the division but not be the champion (2010 Raiders).

Just beat the Broncos. Happy Friday.

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