What happened to Lukas Van Ness during the game? After he made a tackle, he went off the field and we didn’t see him the rest of the game. Did we just miss him, or did something happen to him?
Gilles from Rumelange, Luxembourg
Hi II. I saw it coming, after the first game everybody seemed super hyped about how “good” we were, a bit too much in my opinion. After the Falcons game, we see the real us again, nothing changed from previous seasons, our same struggles and mistakes and we hear this “we have to play better” after every single game over and over. Do you think we eventually will find a solution?
If that’s the popular sentiment in Packers-verse, take it up with them. In this column, I’m going to parrot what I wrote last week: “It’s fans’ right to celebrate. It’s only human after a long offseason of change. However, we stand by what we wrote last week. Win or lose, the Packers can’t get too hung up on Sunday’s result. The Packers have bigger goals than beating the Bears. They did it twice last year but didn’t make the playoffs. They cannot be snake charmed by early success. The Packers must stay the path.”
The question not covered was what would have happened if Rodgers had 54 seconds and needing a field goal. A seasoned Love could have done better for sure. Time will tell.
Is that how we’re gonna define success for the next 15 years?
To my untrained eye, it didn’t look like the moment was too big for Rasheed Walker. You always want your All-Pro LT in there but hats off to the “jars on the shelf” for stepping up. On a related note, was our running game struggles a product of missing Aaron Jones, second-string OL, or a combination of both?
Walker was one of the most improved players on the Packers’ roster this offseason. Like I talked about in the preseason, the moment is definitely not too big for him. Walker was a starting tackle for years in College Station. Depending on what happens with David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins, the Packers may need Walker in the weeks ahead. Losing Jones is never easy, but it takes more than one player for the running game to thrive.
With it looking like Elgton Jenkins may miss a couple weeks, what do you think the chances are that we see Zach Tom move over to left guard and Yosh Nijman or Rasheed Walker taking over right tackle?
It’s something the Packers will have to mull over this week. We’ll see what Wednesday looks like.
Steve from Ellison Bay, WI
Daniel Whelan is my surprise for the first couple of weeks. His punting has been great and has gotten down more than one bad snap. Does the film confirm? Hat tip to the scouts.
He has one heck of a leg.
Joe Barry is the defensive coordinator. He is responsible for the defense. He is making the calls for alignment and responsibilities during the game as well as the overall game plan. I am frustrated by the writers of the Inbox unwillingness to criticize Joe Barry. You will criticize the defense but will not make critical assessments of our defensive coordinator. I’m not asking for you to vilify the man but to make an honest assessment of the defensive plan.
Honestly, reading through questions – or more like statements rather – I feel like Will McAvoy in the series premiere of “Newsroom.” I don’t know what you want me to write to make you feel better, Brent. LaFleur stood at the podium on Monday and said the Packers got gashed on the ground in Atlanta. What else is there to say? The plan and execution weren’t good enough to win.
What did you think of the defensive call that put De’Vondre Campbell out on the border covering a receiver? To me that is about the poorest D play call I’ve seen!
It’s man defense (humorously, it’s the look most fans blindly clamor for) and Ridder checked to the slant. You can watch LaFleur’s presser for the full explanation.
Two observations from the game: 1) edge containment on defense was poor, verging on horrible and has to be cleaned up; you can’t give a kid like Bijan Robinson the edge, he will burn you almost every time. 2) It is very difficult to win a game like that when your QB throws for 151 yards. The Packers have to be more efficient and successful in the passing game. The second observation I think will work itself out, the first I am not sure about. Barry needs to adjust now to be able to win.
The passing yards weren’t the problem. The 47 offensive plays were the issue in a game in which the opposition ran 78 and held the ball for more than 36 minutes. The passing game was fine absent the final series.
Bobby from New Berlin, WI
Do you think Aaron Rodgers would decide to play for the Jets in 2024 again or maybe go elsewhere where there is a team with fellow teammates?
I don’t know. I cover the Packers.
Thank you for rational responses to the one-point road loss. Learn from it and prepare for the next opportunity and opponent. The Packers’ glass is at least half full – home game and we beat the Bears.
Again, the Packers went 1-1 on the road and now have two games at Lambeau in five days. You have to capitalize on the only two home games Green Bay has for the next six weeks. I’m gonna end it here. Have a…Tuesday.
