Gilbert from Galt, CA

Insiders, I have noticed that whenever it is third/fourth-and-1, a lot of offenses will have the QB stick his arm out then quickly pull it back (with the ball) getting enough to gain the first because of forward progression. We recently saw this in the Saints vs. Ravens game. How are defenses trying to stop this play? Is punching at the ball allowed and if so why haven't we seen many defenses try it? I don't see this play going away until a defense can prove they can stop it. How can they?

You can certainly try to punch the ball out. The QB is taking a risk exposing it in that way. The problem is in order to be in position to react to the exposed ball, defenders would need to attack high at the snap, which leaves them vulnerable to a regular QB sneak or rushing play. They'll get knocked straight back and provide no resistance. It's a no-win situation for the defense. I personally think a ball-carrier who pulls the ball back voluntarily shouldn't get the forward progress. On the goal line, yes, because once the plane is broken it's a touchdown. But the first-down line shouldn't be treated the same way, and in these cases it often is, which I think is misguided.

Steve from Broadstairs, England

Do you think the Rams have the best offense in the league right now?

I don't think there's much to distinguish right now amongst the Chiefs (37.1 ppg), Saints (34.0) and Rams (33.6). They can all score a bunch.

John from San Diego, CA

Good morning, gentlemen. Last week I noticed an error listed on the Dope Sheet. It stated this will be the first trip for the Packers to the L.A. Memorial Coliseum since 1978. They played the L.A. Raiders there in 1990. It was the first time I saw the Packers play in person. I was 28 years old then. I've seen them play in person 15 times all together and have never seen them lose. If only the oddsmakers in Vegas knew. So the Packers have that going for them.

Which is nice. This week's Dope Sheet corrected the error to state the Packers haven't played the Rams at the Coliseum since '78. The team's history in that venue is actually rather interesting. I'm going to look more into it later this week.

Nick from Chicago, IL

For the Packers to set the tone on Sunday will come on the first two defensive plays. The Rams will pound the ball with Gurley, then throw one downfield to test the Packers' ability on big plays. If you can stuff those two plays to start the game, I'm all in for a win.

You make it sound so easy.

Aaron from Tomah, WI

Watching the Chiefs-Bengals game Sunday night, I heard Cris Collinsworth say Arrowhead and Lambeau were the two stadiums in the NFL that most resembled a college football atmosphere. Do you agree with this? I assume the bleacher seats and UW-Green Bay cheerleaders had something to do with that statement.

Arrowhead doesn't have bleachers, and I certainly don't think cheerleaders are a factor either way. I think a lot of it is the no-frills look of the stadiums from the inside once they're full. The video boards don't dominate the view, and there aren't other electronic ribbons that distract the eye, or massive pyrotechnics and inflatable mascots during pregame introductions that create a spectacle. The focus is on the fans and the players, as it should be. The tailgating scene at both venues is also a factor. When we were in Kansas City for the preseason game this summer, there was talk of a new regulation preventing people from coming to tailgate at Arrowhead without tickets to the game, because the parking lots were getting unmanageable. I found that rather fascinating.

Al from Green Bay, WI

"Every team has weaknesses. That's the reality of the salary cap era." (That's what I recall reading from the Insiders earlier this year.) If this is still true, what are the weaknesses of this Rams team? What can McCarthy, Rodgers, and company do to exploit them?

Going through all the stats, Goff has thrown five picks, and the Rams' defense is in the bottom third of the league on third downs and in yards allowed per rush. Those are the outliers for an undefeated team. Sounds like the Packers need to run the ball, stay in manageable down-and-distance, and force a mistake or two by Goff.

Joe from Asbury, IA

For once all the pressure is on the Packers' opponent. Hopefully the Pack can just play loose and pull a rabbit out of their hat. The Packers win in LA if _?