Nathan from Rice Lake, WI

With all of the shuffling that has happened due to injuries, how much does practice during the week get impacted? If Love and the offense can’t practice together, how in the world can they be expected to perform at a high level? Alignments, blocking schemes, routes are all about timing and precision that can’t be manufactured without practice.

That’s always a factor, and again, something every team must manage. Last week, seven offensive players who played were limited participants in at least two practices (Banks, Malik Heath, Jacobs, Zach Tom, Watson, Dontayvion Wicks, Savion Williams), and when that’s a weekly occurrence it adds up. The best teams overcome that.

I don’t quite understand why people keep calling Jordan Love a “developing” quarterback. After sitting behind a Hall of Famer for three years and now being in his third season as a starter, shouldn’t he be past that stage? I’ve watched most of this year’s games, and it actually looks like his field vision has regressed. He also struggles with anticipation on his throws. The good news is that both of those areas can still be improved, especially since he has a strong arm and solid accuracy.

By no means do I consider Love a finished product, and I do believe his health issues last season limited his Year 2 growth. Also, folks are conveniently forgetting that at this stage of Rodgers’ third year, the Packers were 6-3, with the fifth win a 9-0 slog against the Jets when the offense looked anemic and kicked three field goals, before it took off for 60-plus points the next two games, then stumbled to 17 points in another loss. We’d all like to see more consistency and fewer growing pains right now, but progress in this league is never linear.

The offense looks very much like it did in the first half of ’23 and towards the end of ’24. The consistent thing about this offense is that it takes dirt naps for weeks at a time. I know there are injuries and such to take into account but the offense looking absolutely putrid for eight straight quarters has to give at some point. Last week it was collapse in the red zone, this week it was collapse anytime anywhere. So so frustrating. My big thought after Monday night was “this isn’t fun.”

It’s not fun for anybody, but I’d say the difference between this and when the offense cratered down the stretch last year is it has moved the ball regularly and had numerous opportunities to score. It just hasn’t cashed in. That tells me it’s not as far away as it might look. It didn’t feel that way when last season ended, at least not to me.

I almost never submit a defeatist entry to II, but here goes. Each year since 2021, there’s been a game that transitions from “it’s a week-to-week league” to looking at the team and realizing that the hurdles to make a deep playoff run aren’t likely to be overcome. I think this team is there. I am excited to watch the rest of the year and hope I am wrong, but the bad things from this team seem too consistent halfway through the year to correct.

I understand the sentiment, but I’ve been doing this too long to just submit to nothing changing. The 2023 team looked like it was going nowhere and then was playing as well as any contender in January. The ’22 team was dead in the water with six losses in a seven-game stretch, then found something, blew out the division leader for a fourth straight win and had a home game with a shot to get in the dance. The 2016 defense gave up 33, 31, 47 and 42 points during a four-game losing streak, then suddenly allowed 13, 13 and 10 in the next three games as “run the table” began. I’m not saying this team is guaranteed to suddenly get hot, but it’s certainly capable, and I’ve seen more unlikely scenarios unfold.

This team is currently at the fulcrum of a seesaw and the game against the Giants will determine a lot moving towards the end of the season. A step in one direction, taking a loss, and our momentum could carry us down a demoralizing path. A step in the other direction, bringing home a win, could launch us into the final stretch with stacking wins while maintaining composure and discipline. Which step will they take?

I’ve said this many times in similar spots over the years, particularly those mentioned above, and I feel the same way now – I believe this team will right the ship. The question in my mind is whether it will do so in time to still make the most of this season. So, obviously, the sooner the better.

Kyle from St. Charles, MO

Answering the tie letdown with three straight wins had most feeling pretty good. These last two games, with their lack of offense and unfortunate injuries have diminished much of that high. Though, looking ahead at the schedule there’s no reason to believe the Packers can’t get right back in this. The defense has clearly shown it’s legit. Hopefully the offense and coaches can all get on the same page and soon. Starts with NYG.

In the big Jersey tin can, no less. Wes calls it an air conditioner. It might be the most antiseptic stadium in the NFL, but all that matters is leaving it with a win.

Packers beat NY. Detroit loses on the road in Philly. Minnesota wins at home over Chicago. Packers are then first in NFC North when the real season begins. Focus on winning the division. Does this work for everyone?

Works for me. Happy Friday.