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Every time the Green Bay Packers lose a game like they did to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday afternoon, a popular narrative pops up among some of the sports radio shock jocks of the world regarding their quarterback. The tired old numbers come back up again, as people discuss how few fourth-quarter comebacks Aaron Rodgers has posted in his career. That inevitably leads to the hot take that Rodgers didn't do enough to help the Packers win and that he is to blame for the loss.
On the other side, you have analysts who look at the game in total, rather than just the offensive failure of the final 31 seconds, and see a quarterback who did lead his team on a go-ahead drive in the fourth quarter. Those individuals also see a defense that allowed the Falcons to drive the length of the field and score a touchdown, eating up almost all of the five minutes that remained on the clock in the process.
Who deserves the blame? As always, the truth is probably somewhere in the middle. However, consider the fact that in every Packers playoff loss over the past three years, the opposing team won the game on the very last play of the game. Can you keep blaming a quarterback when his team's defense does not give him a chance, or if they do, they give him little more than a prayer?
This discussion will likely dominate the week for Packers fans, and it certainly is the focal point of today's Cheese Curds.
Rodgers can't deliver in the end | JSOnline.com
Bob McGinn is back up on his pedestal again, hammering Aaron Rodgers for failing to deliver a game-winning drive with just 30 seconds left.
Not Aaron Rodgers' fault this time - ESPN
Counterpoint: Rodgers did come back in the fourth quarter with a 13-play, 8-minute touchdown drive, but his defense let him down.
Packers' young receivers respond amidst injuries | Packers.com
It was a day of firsts for the Packers' young wideouts; three different players caught their first regular season touchdowns. Geronimo Allison's came on his first career catch in his first game.
Packers' defense needs someone -- anyone -- to make a splash next time - ESPN
Naturally, Mike Daniels says it should be him. If LaDarius Gunter makes an interception early on the final drive, it's probably game over as well. But regardless of who does it, the Packers desperately need some turnovers and big plays from their defense.
Packers at Falcons Grades | NFL Week 8 | PFF
Rodgers was good both under pressure and when given time yesterday, while Daniels and Letroy Guion were the best players on the defense.
Broncos defensive coordinator Wade Phillips collapsed on the sideline after being hit by Melvin Gordon - SBNation.com
The 69-year-old Phillips was taken off on a stretcher, and reports indicted that he suffered a broken leg. All in all, it could have been a lot worse.