How can the Packers improve over the bye week?

Small sample size I know, but the run game looked like it really missed having Jenkins in there.

I think all season, the run game has missed that elite combo of Bakhtiari and Jenkins on the left side. Everyone has played well, but it’s hard to replace a combination of an All-Pro with a Pro Bowler lined up right next to each other.

Is it me, or does it seem like an inordinate number of last-minute drives by offenses this year are successful? Seems like with under 2 minutes left, so many defenses are almost completely ineffectual. What gives?

Great question. The two-minute drive might be the toughest thing to stop in the game. The rules are geared toward offense, pass rushers are usually dead tired at the end of games, fatigue makes it harder to tackle, all those things. Offenses also practice it a ton because so many games come down to those final drives. Teams have polished plans for how they want to attack and execute.

Who are some other OL who have had that ability to play at a high level anywhere across the line? Not necessarily restricted to Packers players, either.

Clay’s uncle, Bruce Matthews, is in the HOF and was an elite player anywhere he lined up. Off the top of my head, I can’t think of anyone currently in the league who has done what Jenkins has done/is doing. That’s not to say someone couldn’t, but it’s just very rare.

Biggest game left on the schedule?

Based on the record of the opponent, obviously Baltimore. But the Packers are looking to win them all, so they’re all big. If the Bears pull a surprise in Chicago Sunday and knock off the Cardinals, suddenly that Sunday night game at Lambeau looks different. You get the idea.

Nice to see Rodgers connect on a few of the deep shots lately

LaFleur and Rodgers are nothing if not aggressive. They always will be. When they see/get a single-coverage matchup on the outside they like, they’re going to let their guy try to make a play.

With the outbreaks of COVID throughout the league, has there been a renewed push in-house to get players and other personnel vaccinated and/or boosted?

There are booster efforts going on around the league, as far as I know. The league also implemented a higher-level protocol for this post-Thanksgiving period, the hope being any outbreaks can be prevented or minimized.

Which of our TEs do you see having the potential to fill the role of receiving TE for us over the next 5 games? Marcedes Lewis would be the obvious answer, but they don’t seem to use him as much as a receiver. Or will we mostly rely on WRs and backs, as we have all year for the short yards over the middle?

Josiah Deguara is probably the best option. He had the TD at Minnesota and the big fourth-down conversion vs. the Rams. Lewis and Dominique Dafney are occasional options, too, but if not having Robert Tonyan means using the running backs more in the passing game, I think the offense overall will be fine.

how does the bye week help the offense improve in the red zone compared to normal game weeks?

The coaches go through a self-scout period where they take a closer look at everything, what’s working, what’s not, and why. Teams have to turn the page so quickly to the next opponent during the grind that there isn’t time to really sit down and ponder significant adjustments. If there’s something to change or another concept worth trying in the red zone, they’ll find it and get it in the upcoming game plans.

I find it interesting great signings, great players don’t make a great team. Rams might be in the playoffs but just going all in with players doesn’t always work out. Brees said it Sunday night, it isn’t just about good players. In this case, sure Stafford gets blame, but so do the coaches.

This isn’t fantasy football. That’s why that other kind is called fantasy. It’s a team game and everyone has to be incorporated to maximize their talents. The Rams still have time to do that with their new additions, so anyone would be a fool to write them off, but it’s easier said than done when guys arrive midseason like that.

We know the answer to who would win 1v1 against A.J. on the field, but what about eating wings? He seems to be a big wing guy on Twitter. AJ vs Spoff, vs Wes, who wins, and can we make this happen? 18 wings, set, go.

Oh, I wouldn’t dare take him on. He weighs 250, man. I’m sure he’d put me to shame. I love a good batch of wings, though.

He wasn’t as elite, but I remember Mike Flannigan going from center to tackle, when needed.

Yes, Flanagan was a great example. Very solid player anywhere he lined up. I believe he made a Pro Bowl one year at center, if I’m not mistaken.