Aaron Rodgers is absolutely right in knowing the Green Bay Packers’ style of play is not sustainable long-term.
While most teams would love to be 3-1, that is what is expected for Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers.
After losing their first game of the season to the Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay has since rattled off three wins in a row, including a narrow 27-24 overtime victory over the New England Patriots. Although beating New England still means something, Rodgers was absolutely correct in saying that this style of play for the Packers is not sustainable long-term. They cannot keep this up…
Here is what he said after the game to ESPN’s Rob Demovsky about the Week 4 overtime victory.
“This way of winning, I don’t think, is sustainable because it puts too much pressure on our defense,” said Rodgers after the game on Sunday. “And obviously, I’ve got to play better and will play better.”
What made this victory so troubling is a rookie third-stringer quarterback by the name of Bailey Zappe nearly upset the Packers at Lambeau Field. Zappe was a promising prospect coming out of Western Kentucky, but there is no reason the game should have ever been this close.
“You can’t be 2-2 losing to a third-string quarterback and not playing great in all three phases, so we had to have this one,” continued Rodgers. “That doesn’t take anything away from the joy of winning, but this was one we had to have.”
Great defenses come and go, but elite offensive play can be sustainable; the Packers must find it.
Aaron Rodgers is absolutely right in his criticism of the Green Bay Packers
While the Packers did pay Rodgers a premium to keep on playing for them, he is not without fault in this. He has to play better. More importantly, he needs to continue to develop the rapport with his younger receivers. Losing Davante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders this offseason cannot be overstated. Rodgers’ security blanket in the passing game is long gone, so the team must adapt.
The good news for Rodgers and Green Bay is they play in the weaker of the two conferences. Time is on their side to develop chemistry throughout the season, mostly out of necessity. Factor in the weather being in Green Bay’s favor as the season progresses, and this team has the pieces to potentially win the NFC and return to the Super Bowl. Of course, they must play sound football.
Overall, having a defense and a rushing attack you can trust are two things Rodgers and the Packers have not had in most years. The good news is we have seen the passing attack flourish year after year with Rodgers under center. Again, building up chemistry with his newer receiving corps will take some time. Being 3-1 makes this bitter pill Rodgers doled out easier to swallow.
Once Rodgers and the passing game really takes flight, this might become the NFC’s best team.
