Rodgers' first 8 games compared to other historic QB seasons

by Archibaldcrane on Nov 7, 2011 1:04 PM CST

Ok, so let's take a look at Aaron Rodgers' first 8 games vs. other historic QB seasons through their first 8:

Rodgers (2011): 192 for 265, 72.5%, 2619 yards passing, 9.9 ypa, 24 TDs, 3 INTs, 37 carries 127 yards, 2 rushing TDs. 129.1 passer rating
Brees (2009): 181 for 265, 68.3%, 2336 yards passing, 8.8 ypa, 17 TDs, 7 INTs, 17 carries for 28 yards, 2 rushing TDs. 106.1 passer rating
Brady (2007): 198 for 267, 74.2%, 2431 yards passing, 9.1 ypa, 30 TDs, 2 INTs, 12 carries for 25 yards, 2 rushing TDs. 136.2 passer rating
Manning (2004): 179 for 269, 66.5%, 2429 yards passing, 9.0 ypa, 26 TDs, 4 INTs, 15 carries for 38 yards, 0 rushing TDs. 121.2 passer rating
Marino (1984): 166 for 250, 66.4%, 2390 yards passing, 9.6 ypa, 24 TDs, 5 INTs, 16 carries for -9 yards, 0 rushing TDs. 120.9 passer rating

Brees went on to set the single-season record for completion % (70.6%). Brady went on to set the NFL single-season record for passing TDs (50) and total TDs (52). Manning went on to set the single season record for passer rating (121.1). Marino went on to set the single-season record for passing yards (5084).

I think it's safe to say that Brady had the greatest first 8 games of a season in NFL history, followed by Rodgers' 2011. If Rodgers keeps up this pace (a big IF, since Brady fell off significantly in his 2nd half of that season), he'll break the single-season passing yards mark, total TDs mark, completion percentage mark, yards per attempt (in the Superbowl Era), and passer rating mark.

I think completion %, passer rating and yards per attempt (maybe) are doable. Total yards will be difficult because I doubt he'll play more than a half in games 15 and 16 if home field advantage is locked up - in Marino's last 3 games he threw for 470, 404, and 340 yards to close out the season at 14-2. Total touchdowns will also be difficult - Brady built up such a monster lead (30) in his first 8 games, but also tacked on another 5 in his last two games (throwing 75 passes across the two to go 16-0).

One bad game really throws a wrench in the whole thing though.

Tweet Comment 25 comments | 4 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Good Job

Appreciate your effort to get these numbers to us. Any idea what the eight game win – loss records for these teams were?

Nitschke never wore an earring!

by Packer Pete on Nov 7, 2011 2:53 PM CST reply actions

Sure

Rodgers 8-0
Brady 8-0
Brees 8-0
Manning 5-3 (he lost a game where he threw 5 TDs 35 to 45, and he had a rating of 120+ in 2 of the losses)
Marino 8-0

by Archibaldcrane on Nov 7, 2011 3:41 PM CST up reply actions

Also interesting to note

Brady, Brees, and Marino all made the Super Bowl. Manning is the only one who did not. Thus, we have a 75% chance of making the Super Bowl. It’s math, don’t try to argue with it.

I know where I come from, and when you always have in mind where you come from the rest will be easy. I think the rest will be easy.

-- M. Rivera

by GMan83201 on Nov 7, 2011 4:39 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs

Also Also interesting to note

Brady and Marino’s teams lost in the Super Bowl. So math also says there’s a 66.7% cahnce of losing the Super Bowl if they get there. It’s math, you can use it to argue just about any side you want…

But seriously, good info on Rodgers compared to the other 4.

by Zundar on Nov 10, 2011 12:15 PM CST up reply actions

Rodgers would be a lock to set all the records

if he could just play the 2011 Green Bay Packers defense for the remaining 8 games.

by Ben T on Nov 7, 2011 3:11 PM CST reply actions 2 recs

That would be historically unfair

He would have numbers similar to his Denver performance by halftime.

I know where I come from, and when you always have in mind where you come from the rest will be easy. I think the rest will be easy.

-- M. Rivera

by GMan83201 on Nov 7, 2011 3:27 PM CST up reply actions

Good effin' Lord.....

Brady had nearly a 75% Completion percentage and 30 TDs at this point during that season? Holy crap!

In Every Climb and Place....

by PhoenicianPakFan on Nov 7, 2011 7:22 PM CST reply actions

Yeah, that was the ridiculous Randy Moss

record setting 23-TD season. He had a 4 TD game in week 10. With the two rushing, Brady had 32 total through 8 games, 4 per game.

But yeah, Brady had 50 for the season, so he only had 20 in the remaining 8 games, 0 rushing.

by Archibaldcrane on Nov 7, 2011 9:02 PM CST up reply actions

Haha fuckin’ Randy Moss was ridiculous.

Fire Slocum

by packallday555 on Nov 7, 2011 9:04 PM CST up reply actions

pass attempts!!

it’s really interesting that each of the 4 “modern” qbs had almost the same number of pass attempts through the first 8 games. All within 4 attempts. Even Marino isn’t that far off; he had 19 less than Manning who had the most of the 5.

by OsoIThought on Nov 7, 2011 7:33 PM CST reply actions

Well this

is all good but Rodgers has some outdoor, bad weather, games ahead and I find it hard to believe he can continue at this pace…

by PacerBacker on Nov 8, 2011 10:57 PM CST reply actions

Its very likely he won’t…just like Brady didn’t.

Ultimately, does it really matter. Those records don’t really mean all that much!

The Green Bay Packers...Putting bad coaches out of their misery since 2010

by TrevorR on Nov 9, 2011 10:53 AM CST up reply actions

I wouldn't say "very likely he won't"

Here are Rodgers’ outdoor games in November & later last year:
Dal: 27/34, 289; 3 TDs, 0 INTs; 131.5 rating; 5 rush, 41 yards
SF: 21/30, 298; 3 TDs, 0 INTs; 135.1 rating; 4 rush, 39 yards
NYG: 25/37, 404; 4 TDs, 0 INTs; 139.9 rating; 2 rush, 26 yards
Chi: 19/28, 229; 1 TDs, 1 INTs; 89.7 rating; 7 rush, 21 yards
@Phi: 18/27, 180; 3 TDs, 0 INTs; 122.5 rating; 3 rush, 4 yards
@Chi: 17/30, 244; 0 TDs, 2 INTs; 55.4 rating; 7 rush, 39 yards

Chicago always gives him fits (though, if this season is any indication, he’s exorcised that demon), and those were the only games where he was held to under a 122.5 rating. The indoor numbers are similarly ridiculous. I think he’ll do just fine.

13.

Grossman: Sup, you insulin needing bitch! The sex cannon has arrived! Now get the hell out of my locker room, you chinless mother fucker!

by Wiedmann on Nov 9, 2011 11:32 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs

Good point

Though I still don’t know if he’ll be able to keep it up all year, I hope he does though, it would be fun to see him finish off a season like this!

The Green Bay Packers...Putting bad coaches out of their misery since 2010

by TrevorR on Nov 10, 2011 8:21 AM CST up reply actions

True

but he did just throw 4 touchdowns with 5 incompletions in the rain on Sunday, so….

by Archibaldcrane on Nov 9, 2011 10:59 AM CST up reply actions 3 recs

I'm about to to drop some Jon Gruden-level analysis on y'all

My conclusion is that Aaron Rodgers is good.

"If only a face could talk" -- John Madden

by wibrownguy on Nov 12, 2011 11:47 AM CST reply actions

I don't think Rodgers' ballsack is dripping enough yet...

to be a Grudenesque analysis.

In Every Climb and Place....

by PhoenicianPakFan on Nov 12, 2011 2:04 PM CST up reply actions

/wipes face

Huh?

"If only a face could talk" -- John Madden

by wibrownguy on Nov 12, 2011 4:43 PM CST up reply actions

“I’ll tell you what, this guy Aaron Rodgers, he’s just amazing. I mean this guy can do it all.”

Fire Slocum

by packallday555 on Nov 12, 2011 5:15 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

what a competitor!

by jolly rancher on Nov 12, 2011 7:10 PM CST up reply actions

I think John Madden has something he'd like to add...

yeah but well ya know he’s no Bret Faaarve. I mean, I mean that Brett Farve is one heck of a player. There’s Brett Favre and then there’s Brett Favre and then there’s a Brett Favre type of thing that Brett Favre is gonna do and when he does it you gotta say that, that, that’s ah ah a Brett Favre type of thing that he did right there, ya know?

The Green Bay Packers...Putting bad coaches out of their misery since 2010

by TrevorR on Nov 13, 2011 8:39 AM CST up reply actions

Haha I used to love listening to Madden incoherently rumble about the most obvious of things.

Fire Slocum

by packallday555 on Nov 13, 2011 10:07 AM CST up reply actions

When he and Summerall were together.

It became hard to know which was more incoherent! At least towards the end…

You've been Stroh'd™!!!

by Strohman on Nov 13, 2011 12:17 PM CST up reply actions

At least until the turducken made its appearance.

I already told you! I deal with the god damn receivers so the linebackers don’t have to! I have coverage skills; I’m good at covering people! Can’t you understand that? What the hell is wrong with you people?!

by msc32887 on Nov 13, 2011 10:14 PM CST up reply actions

Haha isn’t that the truth! One of my buddies always would say he hoped the games would be close because when they weren’t, the broadcast would resort to nothing but Madden and Summerall talking about about non sense.

Fire Slocum

by packallday555 on Nov 14, 2011 5:11 PM CST up reply actions