Richard from Madison, WI
“My understanding is the Packers are officially calling this ‘Winter Warning,’ as in “Winter is Coming?” A subtle and intentional allusion to House Stark from “A Song of Ice and Fire,” or just a turn of phrase that popped into your head?
I can’t speak to Spoff’s intentions when he wrote that, but I’ll pop for any “A Song of Ice and Fire” reference.
James from Appleton, WI
I know Jeff Hafley likes to get the job done with just his front four, but I can’t think of a better way to start Sunday’s game than putting Evan Williams right in C.J. Stroud’s lap. With Halloween coming, the Packers should fill Stroud’s head with shadows and ghosts.
Not to give away my key to victory for Sunday’s game but maintaining a steady rush on Stroud and making his life difficult in the pocket is, well, my key to victory. The Packers had two quarterback hits and no sacks last week, but I still felt it was the defensive front’s best all-around game of the year. The pressure was there, and Murray never got into a rhythm. Stroud has been sacked 16 times, tied for sixth-most in the league. Whether it’s Rashan Gary, Kenny Clark, Williams or even Daniel Whelan, the Packers need to turn up the heat on Stroud and not let him get comfortable.
TK from Grafton, WI
The defense is going bananas with turnovers. Love it! One explanation is that they are playing with better “vision to the QB.” However, sometimes a TV announcer will explain a defender got burned because he was caught “peeking into the backfield.” Like, what gives, man?
Keeping vision, or eyes, on the quarterback is different than peeking into the backfield, which can lead to biting on play-action and falling behind the play. By keeping eyes on the QB, it enables the defense to stay locked on the ball.
Nick from Plainwell, MI
Good morning, Insiders! Is Stroud the prototypical pocket passer of which everybody thinks of? I can envision our edge rushers chopping at the bit to pin their ears back, especially if we can get a bit of an early lead and force them to throw the ball.
C.J. Stroud can run (4.48 40), but he’s always looking to throw. Defenders still have to be mindful of how they rush him. Like Jordan Love, Stroud can deal from the pocket, buy time with his feet and call his own number when the throw isn’t there.
Ryan from Sun Prairie, WI
Is this the week Josh Jacobs catches a touchdown pass?
Yes. Seventy-nine NFL games and 208 career catches. It. Is. Time. It is time.
Brian from Weston, WI
To the question on Friday regarding the need for the Packers to win the rest of their division games, with some help and a few other wins to win the division. If they did that, they would likely be the No. 1 seed let alone win the division. This division is too good, and the teams are going to beat up on each other, winning all of them is an incredible long shot. Not to bring any math into this but effectively like flipping heads five times in a row. One game at a time and see where the cards fall.
The division is tight and likely to stay that way for the rest of the season. But again, the Packers can’t worry about the NFC North until it takes care of the AFC South.
Al from Green Bay, WI
Tough challenge as the Texans come to town. They’re good, but GB can prevail. Reasons to believe: 1) Jordan Love. He’s thrown four TDs in each of the last two home games. His injury appears to be behind him, and he’s ballin’. 2) The D continues to jell with each passing game. Allowing 13 points while taking the ball away three times last week is the evidence. 3) Lambeau Field. Always an advantage. 4) GB simply has more weapons than the Texans. 5) Brandon McManus gives us new confidence in the FG game
The Packers also are the healthier team. Houston is getting back Denico Autry from suspension but is hurting at linebacker and in the secondary with Azeez Al-Shaair, Henry To’oTo’o, Kamari Lassiter and Jimmie Ward all ruled out. The Texans still present a lot of problems on defense, but they’re a hurting unit.
Kevin from Jenison, MI
I’m so impressed with the development of Keisean Nixon. Basically, an end-of-the-roster guy with the Raiders, he has become an All-Pro kick returner, slot corner, punt returner and now boundary corner ahead of Eric Stokes and Carrington Valentine. Amazing.
Nixon signed with the Raiders as an undrafted rookie in 2019 and has never been cut during his NFL career. That’s pretty impressive. You don’t wade through those waters without seizing every opportunity thrown your way. It took four years, but Nixon finally started getting consistent playing time on defense last year and he’s only gotten better. Nixon plays physical and has the speed to hang with the best on the perimeter. At some point, I want to write something more on Nixon – maybe next week – but for now an Insider Inbox headline will have to do. Because his growth deserves to be talked about more.
