Green Bay Packers: Under the Scope (Week 3)

Sep 28, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) scrambles between Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) and linebacker Tamba Hali (91) in the first quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

MVP Awareness

Aaron Rodgers completed 24-of-35 for 333 yards and five touchdowns. Wow. The Chiefs defense is nothing to sneeze at and Rodgers picked them apart on seemingly every drive. He also showed great awareness of what is happening on the field and adjusting accordingly. Not to mention the chemistry with his offensive line in executing the hard count, making defensive lines look silly.

Twice Rodgers caught the Chiefs defense with 12 men on the field as they were slow to hustle off and twice more he was able to draw the defense offside. The first offsides penalty occurred with 1:02 left in the second quarter on a first and ten from the Chiefs’ 26-yard line. The hard count got pass rusher Tamba Hali to jump early, allowing Rodgers to take a shot downfield. He made the back shoulder throw look easy as he was able to connect with James Jones for the 26-yard touchdown catch.

Again in the fourth quarter, with 13:22 to play, Rodgers used his patented hard count to get the offsides penalty against the defense, setting up a “free play”. And again, Jones was on the receiving end of the deep ball, good for 52 yards. A play that eventually led to another Packer touchdown. When Rodgers shows this kind of focus, look out.

Next: Fear the Front Seven