The Packers can handle both scenarios

“When I delve into a 500-page book, I don't write my review after 30 pages.” I thought there was NO MATH in the inbox… Seems like someone did the math… 1/16 of 500 is, you guessed it… 30! Well done, my friends. Well done. LET'S GO!

Longfellow couldn't have said it better than Spoff. There are no running game stories when writing a novel. You take each game as it is and move on.

Spoff and Wes, I'm starting to think my vocabulary isn't big enough to read this column.

Jordan Love is questionable!? Unbelievable. Is there anything stopping us from listing him as questionable even though we know he won't play just to give the Colts more preparation time?

Matt LaFleur has been talking all week about Love having a chance to play in this game, and the Packers are obviously confident in that statement. Love being questionable for this game is a promising sign. Maybe he plays, maybe he doesn't, but it's a big deal, it's even a possibility considering how scary things looked in Brazil.

Sure, the Packs let one get away in Brazil, but there's reason for optimism in Week 2. Reasons to believe: 1) Home opener, Lambeau Field! And the place will rock. 2) The Packers' disruptive defense will be more effective on the stable turf of Lambeau. 3) The Packers ran well last week while the Colts allowed more than 200 yards on the ground in their opener. 4) Spoff says it. From yesterday's inbox: “This game is winnable no matter who's quarterback.” 5) Jayden Reed. GPG!

For me, this game will come down to whether the Packers can replicate their second-half success on the ground or whether the Colts make the necessary corrections after being consistently injured by Joe Mixon on their home turf. Of course, who plays quarterback for Green Bay is part of the alchemy, but the Packers can handle either scenario, whether Jordan Love plays despite his knee injury or Malik Willis gets a spot start.

Phillip from Wonder Lake, IL

What if the Packers defense takes over the offense and wins the game?

I wouldn't mind.

Just watched a video by Michael Mackelvie where they calculated luck in NFL games using four metrics the NFL considers “chance events” (fumbles, dropped passes or interceptions, and missed field goals). They found that luck pretty much evens out during the regular season. However, of the top 10 luck metrics in single-game postseason games (since records began in 2018), nine of those lucky teams won their game, so maybe Mike is on to something…

Football is 90% chess. The other half is “Candy Land”.

Bob from Grand Rapids, MI

I love that Mike quoted from The Big Bang Theory, but I hope he's wrong when he says it's going to be rock, paper, scissors, lizard, and Spock on Sunday. The answer is always Spock, and we can't afford to be so predictable on Sunday! Wes, what do you think might be our best surprise option with Willis likely in the starting lineup?

I don't know what all this means, but Willis has the ability to test any defense with his arm. He caused a lot of havoc with his feet at Liberty, but also threw for over 5,000 yards during his two years in Lynchburg, Virginia.

If Jordan Love doesn't play, it will be interesting to see what effect Tom Clements has on Malik Willis. I know this – Matt Flynn had some great games when Clements was on the bench. Besides ML, Clements might be one of the most important coaches on the Packers bench this week?

I think that's true most weeks, regardless of Love's availability. Clements has an encyclopedic knowledge of quarterback play in the NFL and a knack for getting the most out of a young player's potential. If Willis is the one with the ball in his hands, he won't do it alone.

What are the chances that Love's medial collateral ligament strain will be further damaged if he takes a hit or even slips on the field?

Football is football, but I've also been following this team long enough to have confidence in the medical team's assessment of Love. If Love can't protect himself, he won't be on the field. His long-term health is the most important thing. It's more important than any game in Week 2.

Is it a plus or a minus that Willis has played in the AFC South? I hope it benefits the Pack and Willis that he has some experience against the Colts. And the rest of that division. Or is it a bad omen and those teams benefit from having played Willis in the past?

Matt LaFleur was asked that exact question on Wednesday and he said, “I think you're familiar with going up against a guy like Gus Bradley and the tactics that he comes up with.” Willis has never played against Indianapolis, but I think it's beneficial that he's been in Tennessee's game-planning meetings for the Colts the last two years. He certainly has more experience preparing for Bradley's defense than Bradley does planning for Willis.