Lions defensive coordinator Cory Undlin smiled for a moment at the question.
How do you prepare for Aaron Rodgers?
"If I knew the answer to that," Undlin said, "I wouldn’t share it anyway."
He'll have to come up with one this week. The Lions are headed to Lambeau on Sunday, which would be daunting enough if they weren't banged up in the secondary. Now slot corner Justin Coleman is on IR, and Desmond Trufant and Jeff Okudah are nursing injuries of their own.
Rodgers, meanwhile, just hung 364 yards and four touchdowns on the Vikings, for anyone wondering who's QB 1 in the NFC North.
"Going to have our hands full, regardless of who’s out there," Undlin said. "Obviously you know about (Coleman), but any of the DB’s that go out there, whoever plays the star position, whoever plays corner, we got a good fight on our hands this week. So it’ll be all hands on deck."
As far as Week 2 games go, this one's about as crucial as it gets for the Lions. And for Matt Patricia -- and, by extension, for Undlin. It's early in his tenure, but he's tied to a head coach at the opposite end of the rope. Detroit's already playing from behind in the division after blowing a 17-point fourth-quarter lead against the Bears. It can't really afford to fall behind further.
Oh, and after Lambeau, the Lions travel to Arizona to face Kyler Murray and D'Andre Hopkins, then welcome in the Super Bowl-contending Saints.
But first thing's first. Undlin's defense has to find a way to contain Rodgers. He was near perfect in the season-opener, dishing the ball to seven different receivers. Davante Adams, back to full health after being limited last year, went off for 14 receptions, 156 yards and two touchdowns.
"You talk about the wideouts, those wideouts are a direct reflection of the quarterback," Undlin said. "You guys are very familiar with the guy, I had the opportunity to play against him a few times in the last few years. We gotta bring it. We gotta be at our best. And if we’re not, then it’ll be a long day."
Undlin knows from experience. The former defensive backs coach for the Eagles got two cracks at Rodgers during his time in Philly, once last season, once in 2016. Rodgers shredded Undlin's secondary both times. Combined, he completed 70 percent of his passes for 735 yards, four touchdowns and one pick.
Here's Undlin's chance to get one back. And to get the Lions back in the race in the NFC North. The stakes don't get much higher in September, for a team and a coaching staff. Detroit needs a win badly in Week 2, with its longtime nemesis standing in the way.
"That’s what we’re working on right now, to put one together to make it hard on him and give us a chance to make it close and then find a way to end up on top," Undlin said. "Not easy -- easy in theory, hard in execution. I like where we’re at right now. I like where the players are at right now.
"Tough challenge, but I think our guys are going to be up for it. I know they will be."