Cobb: Rodgers is our leader, our guy
USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin’s Brett Christopherson caught up with Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb, who looked ahead to Sunday’s Week 13 matchup against the Houston Texans at Lambeau Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. This Q&A is presented by Tundraland:
Last week, Aaron Rodgers said he felt the Packers could “run the table.” Is the team buying into that statement? Are you in playoff mode from here on out since your margin for error is so slim?
Cobb: Yeah, definitely. This is definitely playoff mode. Aaron is our leader. He’s our guy. And when he makes a statement like that, that’s something that we all believe in. He leads us, and we follow him. And I think definitely everybody has bought in. Our goals are still right in front of us. We’ve had opportunities. It’s just us handling those opportunities. We were able to accomplish the first step this past weekend (in beating the Eagles).
What are the challenges you face in having a short week to prepare, especially as you get set to take on an uncommon opponent out of the AFC in the Texans?
Cobb: Obviously the big thing, like it is every week, is preparation. With it being a short week, really diving in to your film study and getting a great feel for the type of defense that we’re playing against and the type of guys that are playing in this defense. With a short week, you have 24 hours less to recover. You have to make sure you stay on top of it.
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Statistically, the Texans defense looks stout as that unit is ranked fifth in the league in passing and overall. What are the keys in being able to move the ball against them and maintain the momentum that has been created offensively?
Cobb: Not to discredit a defense or any other team in the league, but we always make it about us and what we do. And the most important key for us is execution and finding a way to get it done. That’s what we prepare for. We prepare to beat our man in one-on-one coverage. We prepare to get open versus zone. And then find a way to continue to move the ball and put points on the board.
Finally, you return to Lambeau Field after a three-game road trip, but you’ve lost twice this season at home. How do you restore that Lambeau edge?
Cobb: I think it all comes down to the energy. I think we created that energy for ourselves this past week in Philly. It always helps when we’re at home and we can have our home crowd create some of that energy for us, as well. We’ve definitely got to give them something to cheer about so we can keep them into the game.
Brett Christopherson: 920-993-7117, or bchristopherson@gannett.com; on Twitter @PCBrettC