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Happy New Year’s Packers fans!
As we get set to look forward to the playoffs with 2020 vision (*rimshot*), we want to take one last look back at the Packers’ much-more-thrilling-than-it-needed-to-be victory over the Detroit Lions on Sunday.
Watching the game live and then looking at the box score probably told you one thing: Aaron Rodgers stunk.
That would be a sound conclusion and he definitely was off, but there also was a lot there to remind you he’s still able to be the magician everyone is used to seeing.
Dan Orlovsky (the former Lions quarterback who ran out of his own end zone but has since become a solid analyst) tweeted that while Rodgers had an overall rough afternoon, he still made no less than eight elite throws that tilted the game back in Green Bay’s favor.
This isn’t to excuse the decision to go bombs away and throw it deep more than they should have, nor does it totally override some passes Rodgers’ airmailed but the guy can still do it and do it well.
The inconsistent greatness from Rodgers has been maddening at times and nowhere was that illustrated better than against Detroit. The box score told one tale while further look at the tape told another. Slight tweaks in play can often dramatically alter results. An extra step can make a catch easier. A slightly different throw makes it accurate instead of an overthrow. Still you are what your numbers say you are, and Rodgers has been great at times and not so great at others.
Football is a game of inches in both good ways and bad. Yes Rodgers was bad on Sunday but it wasn’t far off from being good.
Now for today’s curds.
The deep shots were a plan by Rodgers and Matt LaFleur to expose a weak Detroit secondary and they probably should have gone away from it sooner but props to them both for making the adjustment in the second half.
What You Might’ve Missed: Super sub—Packers.com
Lucas Patrick received a contract extension before the game on Sunday and his performance in relief of center Corey Linsley showed why that faith was rewarded. Changes at center can greatly affect an offense and for all the Packers’ problems on Sunday, Patrick’s play wasn’t one of them.
Jaire Alexander’s pass interference penalty saved a touchdown and perhaps the game. Committing interference intentionally is a “break glass in case of emergency” situation and Alexander’s awareness showed why he’s becoming one of the best corners in the league.
It could have been a Wolf/McCarthy pairing in Green Bay but Mark Murphy instead went with Brian Gutekunst as Ted Thompson’s replacement. With John Dorsey now out in Cleveland, could Packers fans get a preview of what could have been out east?
Very relatable. Especially the gym tweets.