"The younger players at a certain point, they have to catch up to the veterans," McCarthy said, referring to receivers like Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Equanimeous St. Brown, both of whom have made significant contributions the past two weeks. Fellow rookie J'Mon Moore also had his first NFL catch on Monday. "I think our receivers have shown that each and every week, not only getting better but producing. We feel very good about that."

Regarding the most recent triumph, a 33-30 comeback victory over the 49ers, McCarthy added, "When the game was on the line, when we had to play our best football, we did as a football team. That speaks volumes. What we did on offense doesn't happen if we don't get those three-and-outs.

"But we're making too many mistakes as a football team right now, and that'll be our focus."

While McCarthy firmly believes finding ways to pull out close games in adverse situations will pay dividends down the line for the 2018 Packers, cleaning up those mistakes is required for the team to find another, more consistent level of play.

Both the offense and defense have looked both spectacular and disjointed at times, often within the same games. Better run-pass balance on offense and sharper tackling on defense would help, but those are just the beginning.

Penalties in all three phases continue to plague the team. Flags have created too many long down-and-distance situations on offense, given opposing teams too many free yards and first downs on defense, and hampered field position on special teams.

The Packers have 49 penalties accepted against them through six games, or an average of just over eight per contest. That's on pace for roughly 128 for the full season, which would set an ignominious high for the McCarthy era and mark the most for the Packers in one year since 1987.

"You're not supposed to say you're frustrated, but I'm frustrated with the penalties," McCarthy said. "I don't like the pattern we've established the first six weeks. We just met as a staff, and we had way too many penalties again last night. Special teams was the majority of it.

"That has to change and it will change. Something's going to need to be adjusted there, because it's been consistent and it's an issue. It's a topic we'll spend more time on."

Health-wise, in addition to getting Cobb and Allison back, the Packers also hope to see the return of rookie cornerback Jaire Alexander from a groin injury after the bye.

Offensive linemen Bryan Bulaga and Justin McCray have been banged up, too, though McCarthy noted veteran Byron Bell's sub work at both the right guard and tackle positions hasn't forced any changes in how the Packers run the offense.

Rodgers suggested after Monday night's victory he may look at trying to take his knee brace off after the bye, but that will depend on how much the rest helps and whether he can increase his practice workload without it.