Green Bay Packers: No time to readjust for Aaron Rodgers
By Hunter Noll
The Green Bay Packers are getting their superstar quarterback back on Sunday in Week 15. There won’t be any time for Aaron Rodgers to readjust though.
At 7-6, the Green Bay Packers are on the outside of the playoffs looking in. With three games left in the season though, they still control their own destiny. If they win the final three, it’s tough to envision a scenario where they aren’t in the playoffs. That daunting task gets a little easier due to the return of quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Nevertheless, this isn’t an easy part of the schedule by any means for Green Bay.
This week, they face off against the Carolina Panthers (9-4). Following that they have to deal with the 10-3 Minnesota Vikings, while ending the year against the 7-6 Detroit Lions. Due to this incredibly tough three-game stretch, there’s no room for mistakes. That means Rodgers has no chance to get reaccustomed to an actual NFL game.
Now, of course, you could say he hasn’t even been out for a full season, but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t missed time. You have to remember that Rodgers is returning from this injury rather quickly. To say he’s definitely play at 100 percent is wishful thinking.
Of course, a less-than-100-percent version of Aaron Rodgers is better than most quarterbacks in the NFL. I think everyone can agree on that. This does leave him open to a few problems though.
The biggest being his scrambling. With a shoulder still on the mend, Rodgers threat to run (and take hits) could be extremely subdued. Even if he has to stay strictly in the pocket all game, Rodgers easily has the throwing ability to win a game though. Do the Packers have the offensive line to protect him? Rodgers doesn’t scramble just to mask flaws in his arm. He does it to mask flaws on the offensive line. If he’s forced to get outside the pocket (and take more hits) it could lead to trouble.
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With all that being said, don’t expect Aaron Rodgers to make any excuses. He’s back and ready to lead the Green Bay Packers to the playoffs, and you shouldn’t be surprised if he makes it happen.