Game Review: Broncos @ Packers

Final Scoreline: Packers 49, Broncos 23
Predicted Scoreline: Packers 35, Broncos 13

Cheesecake Awards: Aaron Rodgers, Aaron Rodgers, and Aaron Rodgers
Rotten Egg Awards: The Entire Defense...minus CB Charles Woodson (lame, I know, but I make the rules)

Until last Sunday, no player in NFL had ever thrown for 4 TD, rushed for 2 TD and eclipsed the 400yd mark in passing. Aaron Rodgers (29 for 38, 408 yds, 4TD, 2 rushing TD, 1INT) did just that in the Packers routing of the Denver Broncos. It truly was a great weekend for Wisconsin sports fans, with blow out victories by the Badgers versus Nebraska (welcome to the Big Ten!), Brewers (playoffs baby!) and Packers.

Cheesecake Award: Aaron Rodgers....

On draft day 2005, Aaron Rodgers, originally predicted the no 1 pick, fell 24 spots to the Packers mainly due to a perceived lack of athleticism and mobility in the pocket:

"What I have noticed is that by holding the ball at shoulder level, he loses a little quickness and escape ability when things break down in the pocket. He's also not at his best when flushed and forced to throw on the move. " -Oakland Tribune

"Buyer beware: Rodgers is 2 inches shorter than Utah's Alex Smith, the other QB the 49ers are considering, and does not have great mobility." -Mel Kiper, ESPN

What?!? The guy throws laser beams, ran a 4.7 forty yard dash and posted a 35 inch vertical at the 2005 combine; pretty athletic for a pocket passer out of Cal. 

And yet, the storyline suits Rodgers, who plays with the cliched "chip" on his shoulder (just listen to his media sound bites, the dude feels disrespected). Despite solid high school statistics, Rodgers earned little division 1 interest and received only a walk on offer from lowly Illinois (seriously, who would want to play football in that state?). Rodgers settled for Butte Community College, threw 28 TDs to just 4 INTs as a freshman, and was recruited to Cal University by Jeff Tedford where he threw 43 TDs and unathletically rushed for 8 more in just two years of eligibility. On draft day, he fell to the Packers and patiently sat behind Green Bay legend, Brett Favre....the rest is history.

All criticisms of NFL "experts" aside, Aaron Rodgers shredded the Broncos through the air, completing 76% of his passes and posting a 134.5 rating. He completed passes to eight different receivers and clumsily scrambled for two additional touchdowns. WR Greg Jennings lead the pack with seven catches, 103 yards and 1 TD and WR Jordy Nelson demonstrated why Packer's GM Ted Thompson tossed him a generous contract extension with 5 catches, 91 yards and 1 TD. 

The rest of the offense looked solid...RB James Starks showed less hesitation than last week, rushing 13 times for 63 yards...WR James Jones scored on an incredible Rodgers throw (although later, Rodgers' INT was solely Jones fault)...and WR Donald Driver came back from a scary second quarter injury to score a TD in the second half.

With mild hesitation due to the rough and tumble nature of the NFL....Aaron Rodgers is hands down the best QB of the last 10 years, if not in the history of the NFL. He has the intelligence of Peyton Manning, the arm strength of Brett Favre, the flippantly laser speed release of Terry Bradshaw, the leadership of Bart Starr, the athleticism of John Elway and the rhythm and control of Joe Montana. To put it into perspective, through four games, Rodgers is on pace for 5300 yards, 48 TDs and just 12 INTs (sounds like Dan Marino's sophomore season that has been compared to Wilt Chamberlin's 50 points per game NBA season). Let's hope Rodgers has the durability of Fran Tarkenton and Brett Favre.

The Rotten Egg Award: The Entire Defense, minus Charles Woodson
Once again, the Packers defense surrendered far too many yards to a sub-par quarterback and failed to exert any pass rush whatsoever against a weak offensive line (just one sack). Even worse, the league leading Green Bay rush defense decided not to show up; 119 yards on 23 carries is horrendous! Packer fans: don't be fooled by 4-0, this is not a championship caliber defense...yet.

Stud outside linebacker, Clay Matthews, needs help; he consistently sees double teams and running back chips and yet the Packers fail to produce significant quarterback pressure without blitzing corners or safeties. Furthermore, Erik Walden looks undersized, slow and weak in pass rush. Because opposing wide receivers have time for double and triple moves, it's a good thing the Packer's defense can afford to give up 30 points in a game.

More important than yards, Green Bay's defense won the turnover battle; Bronco's QB, Kyle Orton (22 for 32, 273 yds, 3TD) chucked three interceptions and LB Desmond Bishop forced a key fumble. CB Charles Woodson posted his 50th career interception with a first quarter pick six. His 11 interceptions for touchdowns puts him 2nd on the all time list. CB Sam Shields recovered nicely, showing insane speed with an interception on what looked like an easy Denver touchdown (even though he looked lost on a few tackle attempts). Lastly, S Morgan Burnett continued to flash his ball hawk skills and incredible range in the secondary.

The Skinny....
The Green Bay Packers pounded a weaker Denver Broncos team, as expected, and Aaron Rodgers performed brilliantly, finding the end zone six times.  The Packers defense surrendered far too many yards and big plays, yet forced turnovers at key moments. This team is legitimately great and unrivaled in the NFL!

If Dallas Cowboys QB, Tony Romo, wouldn't have thrown three interceptions for TDs against the Detroit Lions, Green Bay would be the only remaining undefeated team. Thanksgiving 2011 is looking like an important date....

Up Next: @ Atlanta Falcons