On the differences between this Panthers team and the one in October:"Well they got Greg Olsen back. That's a pretty good start. They don't have Charles Johnson. Everything starts with personnel. They're playing (Julius) Peppers more and he's having a heck of a year. They've been without Shaq Thompson the last couple games and he's been playing really well. They're running the quarterback on designed quarterback runs more and that's been very effective for them. With (Kelvin) Benjamin being gone and injuries, their receiver rotation is different. Is that enough?"

On the next man up mentality:"You don't have much choice. They're not going to cancel the season because you get guys hurt. We're paid to play and paid to coach. We have to do that." 

On how much the Panthers' offensive progression over the last six games has to do with Cam Newton:"A ton has to do with Cam Newton. His versatility to beat you with his arm and with his legs. The fact that they can play option football. They have interchangeable pieces the way they can move (Christian) McCaffrey around. The versatility of Olsen. They're definitely on a roll. Mike Shula and the staff are doing an great job. Their players are executing at a high level."

On how much credence he gives to spoiling seasons:"Absolutely not. I don't think that's why you compete. I'm not saying that other people don't take joy in that, or that they can use it as motivation but that's not how I approach it all. We are trying to be the best team that we can be and play the best that we can play. This is a very tough division. Carolina is a heck of a team; they were in the Super Bowl two years ago. We're going to try everything we can to beat them on Sunday, but in no way is our mission to spoil their season. We're trying to make ourselves better."

On Steve Wilks' defense:"I went against coach McDermott many times, both in Atlanta and here. I think coach Wilks has taken it up another notch. The way he's designed (the defense) with an interchangeable base and nickel. He's fought through when they had different guys out of the lineup. He's definitely pressuring a little bit higher percentage. He's done a really nice job. That's the goal of any coordinator that takes over for any defense or offense that was already successful, is to improve on it. He's definitely done that."