I got to thinking about what allowed the Packers to get things going last year as they sparked a late-season Super Bowl run. The thing that came to my mind was the week Rodgers got off from his concussion (which in my eyes was 2 weeks off since he only threw 11 passes in the Lions game) last year. When he came back, he just looked refreshed, every pass seemed to be more accurate, and his reads at the line got even better. I want to take a look at how Rodgers has performed with a week off in the last 2 seasons.

2010

Week 10 bye week

Week 11 vs. the Vikings:

Final score: 31-3

QB rating of 141.3

301 yards, 4 TDs, 0 INTs

Injured in week 14, missed week 15

Week 16 vs the Giants:

Final score: 45-17

QB rating: 139.9

404 yards, 4 TDs, 0 INTs

Week off for the Super Bowl

Super Bowl vs the Steelers:

Final score: 31-25

QB rating 111.5

304 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INTs

2011

Week 8 bye week

Week 9 at San Diego:

Final score: 45-38

QB rating: 145.8

247 yards, 4 TDs, 0 INTs

Average:

Points scored: 38

Average QB rating: 134.6

314 yards, 3.75 TDs, 0 INTs

If you take out the Super Bowl, which was against the best defense he could have faced, his numbers are unbelievable:

Points scored: 40.3

Average QB rating: 142.3 (139.9 was his lowest)

317 yards

4 TDs in every game

0 INTs in every game

I assume most quarterbacks are going to play better after a bye week, the whole team gets to rest, not just the QB. However in the Giants game last year, Rodgers was the one that got the rest, not the whole team, and the numbers are still great. I am also going to take a guess and say that other QBs don't average 134.6 QB ratings in their last 4 games after a week off. What really impressed me is that he threw for 4 TDs in three of the four games and 3 TDs in the other game, all of that while not throwing a single interception. He hasn't thrown a single interception after a week off in his last 4 games. Couple that with how well he plays in the playoffs and I expect him and the offense to do big things on Sunday. Now lets see how he does with 2+ full weeks off (only played 3 quarters in the Bears blowout).