Vic Fangio

Q. How much can you use the Week 1 tape with the Packers considering how long ago it was? (Eliot Shorr-Parks)

VIC FANGIO: I mean, obviously you look at it. But teams evolve during the season to certain points. We have evolved. They have evolved. But you definitely look at it.

Q. Along those lines, what are some of the biggest differences you see from that offense recently? (Dave Zangaro)

VIC FANGIO: Not a lot. They are running the ball very, very well, and they have their play pass game off of that. They are a big play team. They get a lot of explosives because of the quality of their running game.

And it’s a really good offense. They do a good job calling it. They keep you off balance. Really good.

Q. Where do you feel like you guys are as a run defense going into this? (Reuben Frank)

VIC FANGIO: That’s a good question. We’ve had good games and not so; we’ve had in between. We’ll be tested this week. These guys run it very, very well.

Q. You don’t know which quarterback will play. Obviously it sounds like Packers QB Jordan Love might be able to go, but does the uncertainty make it more difficult in terms of preparation? (Jeff McLane)

VIC FANGIO: Not really. Obviously if [Packers QB Jordan] Love doesn’t go, there’s a little bit of change in their offense, but not a gross change.

Q. That first game was a heavier blitz game for you. How much of that was opponent specific, and how much was it you figuring out your own personnel at that time? (Zach Berman)

VIC FANGIO: Both.

Q. You played, obviously, DE Bryce Huff and DT Jordan Davis quite a bit Sunday. As far as DE Bryce Huff is concerned, how important was it for him to shake off the cobwebs, the rust or whatever it was, and how do you think he did? (Martin Frank)

VIC FANGIO: Yeah, it was really important for him. The only way you get better playing football is to practice it first and then to play it second in a real game, and it was good to get him a lot of reps. I think he improved a little bit from the 15 or so plays he had the week before, and hopefully he’ll improve some more this week.

Q. What is Packers QB Jordan Love’s best attribute? (Tim McManus)

VIC FANGIO: He’s got a big arm. He can throw it to all parts of the field with accuracy and touch. He’s got good movement in the pocket. He’s elusive. And he really fits their offense.

That offense needs a guy that can throw it down the field. He can do that. They need a guy that can scramble a little bit and be elusive. He can do that. He’s a perfect fit for their offense.

Q. Any personal gratification going through 17 games, No. 1 defense? (John McMullen)

VIC FANGIO: I think it’s a good honor for the players. They are the ones that did the work. They deserve it. But we are on to the playoffs now.

Q. What do you think about the contributions you got from CB Quinyon Mitchell and DB Cooper DeJean as rookies? What did it take to get that much from them in their first years? (Dave Zangaro)

VIC FANGIO: Yeah, they both did a good job. Obviously [DB Cooper DeJean] Coop was a little bit late starting because of his offseason injury.

Very happy with both of those guys. They have improved. They have been diligent in their approach. Their thirst to get better has been good. Everything has been good about them.

Q. What makes their running game so effective? (Bo Wulf)

VIC FANGIO: Well, they have got a really good line to begin with. I think their 5-0 linemen have been in there for every play I think, No. 1.

No. 2, they have a great back. [Packers RB Josh] Jacobs has had as good a year as anybody, and he’s hard to tackle. Runs physical.

And they have the play pass game off of it. So they have really good big play receivers that you’re always worried about, and the combination of them being able to throw it down the field and run it is a tough combination.

Q. With that receiving core, what stands out? Even with Packers WR Christian Watson probably out for that game and the foreseeable future. (EJ Smith)

VIC FANGIO: They are all good. [Packers WR Romeo] Doubs is good. [Packers WR Jayden] Reed is good. The tight end is good. Jacobs gets screens and checkdowns.

They spread the ball around a lot. They have got a bunch of guys with around 50 receptions or more. It’s hard to focus on one guy.

Q. We’re talking a lot about Week 1 seeming like a long time ago. How far back do you go in your career, in what you’ve seen, in prepping for any particular game? Do you go to something that happened ten years ago, 20 years ago, and how often do you do that? Does that ever come up anymore? (Mike Sielski)

VIC FANGIO: Ten years ago, 20 years ago? No. Do you go back to previous games? Yeah. But you don’t overdo it.

Q. Packers Head Coach Matt LaFleur made comments years ago, praising you as one of the toughest defensive coordinators to face. You mentioned their run, setting up the pass, et cetera. What makes him so good at calling his offense? (Jeff McLane)

VIC FANGIO: He’s got a great knowledge of his offense. He’s got a great feel for calling the game, and it’s easier for him to do that because the run is never a bad play for those guys.

And he has the patience and the mindset to stick with the run, and then mix in the play passes. I think he does a great job calling the game.

Q. A lot of times if a team has two rookie starting defensive backs, there’s going to be concern going into the playoffs, is the moment too big and all that. With these two guys, do you have any concerns at all? Do they not seem like rookies anymore? (Reuben Frank)

VIC FANGIO: Well, they are not rookies. In [CB Quinyon Mitchell] Q’s case, he’s played 16 games, and Coop’s played 12, 13, whatever it is.

So no. I think they are ready. They have played in a lot of big games this season against a lot of the quality opponents, and I think they will be ready.

Q. The Rams are the only other team you’ve seen that runs motion as much as the Packers do. How much does that factor into your preparation this week and the coverage rules for the game? (Zach Berman)

VIC FANGIO: They do a good job with their motion. They use it a lot. They have a variety of different motion types. And we’ve got to be on our adjustments.

Q. A lot of teams are starting to interview for head coaching positions. Do you have any desire to be a head coach again? (Brooks Kubena)

VIC FANGIO: No, I’m happy to be here right now.

Q. For CB Quinyon Mitchell specifically, what’s the biggest thing that stood out to you during his rookie year? (Cayden Steele)

VIC FANGIO: Just that he had the diligence to keep working at it. Never felt like [he] arrived and slacked off. Always had a good thirst to get better and to learn. Very good in the meetings. He has extra meetings with [Passing Game Coordinator/Defensive Backs Coach] Christian [Parker]. So I never saw him slack off.

Q. LB Zack Baun told us your comment when he made the Pro Bowl.

VIC FANGIO: What was my comment?

Q. I guess getting time on the edge back in the spring. So I know you were optimistic about LB Zack Baun, but did you ever anticipate a Pro Bowl-caliber season from him? (Zach Berman)

VIC FANGIO: Well, it’s hard to say that going back to then. But I think you don’t put any limits on players. If you put limits on them, you’ll get limited production. Take them to the ceiling that they can go to.

Q. What would you say is the biggest change in terms of how you guys defended the run? In that first game, they got you a few times. I know there’s new personnel, et cetera. But you’ve been able to have relative success against stopping the run despite having light boxes. Has that been the main thing; that you’ve figured out how to do it with a 4-2 front? (Jeff McLane)

VIC FANGIO: We’ve improved as the season’s wore on. I think our guys understand what we need to do and have played it better. Although we’ve had times where we haven’t. I just think it’s the overall improvement and evolution of the season.

Q. You mentioned Packers TE Tucker Kraft. He’s taken that big step forward, it looks like, this year. When you have that type of tight end, what kind of stress does that put on people? (John McMullen)

VIC FANGIO: Yeah, it’s just another really good weapon amongst all the receivers. He is a good tight end. He can get down the field, yet he can check screens and checkdowns. Really good runner after the catch.

They have got a really good quality skill position group that’s backed up by a really good offensive line, and they are all excelling right now.