Highlights from Wednesday's conference calls with Carolina Panthers media.
Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers
On if this game has added significance:
"Yeah, I think it’s an important game for both of us. They’re undefeated and at the top of the conference right now and they are I believe a game and a half up on Atlanta, so there are a lot of implications. We’re a game up in the North. It has potential implications down the road. We both have goals bigger than this game, but this could go a long way when the weather starts to change."
On what’s different about the Panthers from last year:
"Well, Josh Norman didn’t play that game, and he’s a difference-maker on the outside. I just think they’re being very consistent on defense. Their pass rush has been good and obviously they have some very talented linebackers who have incredible name-recognition. And the back end has been very consistent. Those guys have been playing really well, making plays on the ball, creating turnovers, tackling well. So they’re all playing really well together."
On Norman:
"He’s a great player. He does it all outside. He’s athletic. He can press, he can press bail, he can play off. He makes plays on the football. He’s a talented guy. You got to be aware of where he’s at. There are a few corners in the league who are like him – you have to be aware of where they’re at and how they’re playing and what type of coverage they’re playing and try not to throw them the football."
On if he tries to forget the loss from last week or use it to move forward:
"I think that is a good question. You don't really ever forget any of that stuff. I think you try and really harness that and learn from it and turn it into a positive if you can. It is obviously very frustrating. You put so much into it and a lot of preparation, practice, you know, thoughts, presentations and different things that are put together for the week in order to get yourself in the right frame of mind to go out and play your best. And then we go out there and play that poorly individually and collectively. You have to go back and you know, be very honest about how the week went, how you felt leading up to it and how you performed."
Packers head coach Mike McCarthy
On what the Broncos' defense did well against them last week:
"They pretty much loaded the box and set the edges on it. And we didn’t really do enough about it. They’re an excellent defense and performed at a very high level and it’s definitely something that we need to learn from because people are obviously playing us a lot more aggressively than they have in the past."
On Panthers QB Cam Newton:
"I think he’s definitely one of the better players in the league. I think anytime a player – and obviously more so at the quarterback position – demands the attention and the preparation from its opponent, it speaks volumes. I can tell you clearly we’re studying Cam Newton and preparing for all the different things that he does from a diversity standpoint. I don’t know if there’s a quarterback that does more than he does from the quarterback position."
On playing without a No. 1 receiver, like the Panthers:
"I think the biggest similarity is the fact that these big injuries have created other opportunities for other players ... Talk about Corey Brown and Ted Ginn’s having the best year I can recognize as a receiver and still is a big-time returner. Those two guys have definitely taken advantage of their opportunity. Greg Olsen is a heck of a football player. I’ve always felt that way about Greg in his time in Chicago and down there. It’s really created more opportunities for their perimeter guys and they’ve definitely got a backfield that can run it."