Cobb: Lions game will define Packers' character

Gannett Wisconsin Media’s Brett Christopherson caught up with Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb, who looked ahead to Thursday's Week 13 matchup against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:25 p.m.: 

Davante Adams struggled in last week’s loss to the Bears. What’s your message to him as he looks to bounce back? Has his confidence taken a hit?

RC: That’s my job. That’s what I’ve been trying to do is continue to keep his confidence up. He’s a great player. He’s a very important part of our offense, and he can’t lose confidence in himself. Especially not having the best performance (against the Bears) and not doing things as well as he would have liked to. Can’t allow him to get down on himself. I just have to continue to keep pushing him and holding him accountable to be the best player he can be.

In 2013, the Packers battled through adversity and injuries in grinding their way to an NFC North championship. Is there anything from that experience you can use this season as you look to remain in the hunt for a playoff berth and division title?

RC: I think so. (James Jones) was talking not long ago about the year that they won the Super Bowl in 2010. They didn’t have the best of regular seasons. I think they lost six games in the regular season and went through a lot of injuries, a lot of guys on the IR. But it came down to winning a couple of games there at the end to get into the playoffs and then going on a run. I think just hearing some of the veteran leadership that has gone through different experiences and knowing that their character is built in losses and through adversity. We just have to continue to keep pressing along — trying to get to 1-0 each week. That’s what it’s all about. We can’t really worry about the playoff implications. Right now, it’s all about handling our end of things.

3 Guys Talking Packers: A rematch with the Lions

You last faced the Lions on Nov. 15 — a little over two weeks ago. Is there any benefit to playing them again so soon? Are film study and practice less intensive?

RC: Yeah. Whenever you have a common opponent that you’ve played recently, it makes it a little bit easier to break it down. We know what they do schematically. And playing against those guys recently, we know techniques and their style of play. We know what kind of game it’s going to be. It’s just about going in there and finding a way to get it done. It’s about executing plays and making the simple plays, breaking tackles and picking up those extra yards and putting ourselves in the best position to go 1-0 this week.

This will be your first time indoors this season. The environment will be loud. You’re playing on turf. What are the keys to attacking that Lions defense and having success against it with Ford Field as the backdrop?

RC: We’re definitely on a fast track this week. Communication is going to be at a premium on the field. It’s going to be a great environment to play in. But the keys for us will be execution. It’s something we haven’t done too well over these past few weeks. And that’s the only thing we’re worried about — executing and making plays.

Corey Linsley said the game against Detroit will “show our character.” Do you agree? Is this a character-defining game? What type of character do you think you have in that locker room?

RC: I think it definitely will be a character-defining game. Whenever you win one of your last five games, not everything is going right, obviously. But just to have that resilient effort, to continue to fight and continue to press and find a way to come up with a win – that will be huge for us.

Brett Christopherson: 920-993-7117, or brett.christopherson@gannettwisconsin.com; on Twitter @PCBrettC