Green Bay Packers: Aaron Rodgers bursts into MVP mix

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers played himself right back into the MVP discussion after a historic performance in Week 7.

One of the greatest quarterbacks in the NFL’s 100-year history put on a display for the ages on Sunday at Lambeau Field. Not much should surprise us anymore when it comes to Aaron Rodgers, but even Rodgers himself may not have seen this one coming.

As Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers trounced their way to a 42-24 victory over the Oakland Raiders on Sunday afternoon, Rodgers crept back into the NFL’s MVP conversation after a historic performance.

For starters, the Packers’ 12-year starting quarterback became the fastest player in league history to eclipse 350 passing touchdowns. Rodgers did so in 172 games, faster than Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Dan Marino, Tom Brady, Ben Roethlisberger, Eli Manning, Philip Rivers, and his predecessor, Brett Favre.

But that feat wasn’t the only distinguished accomplishment Rodgers achieved.

For the first time in his career, Rodgers posted a perfect passer rating (158.3), finishing 25-of-31 passing for 429 yards, five passing touchdowns, one rushing touchdown and zero interceptions, along with an average of 13.8 yards per pass attempt.

“I still don’t understand how they put that rating together, but it does sound pretty good,” Rodgers said after the game, per the Packers YouTube channel. Rodgers is the only player in Packers history to have achieved a perfect passer rating. Only 65 quarterbacks in NFL history have achieved the mark.

If that wasn’t enough, Sunday’s game was also the first time since Week 7, 2014 that Rodgers posted a completion rate of 80.0 or better and the first time since Week 3, 2015 that he recorded five or more passing touchdowns. Additionally, Rodgers’ 13.8 yards per pass attempt was the highest single-game mark of his career, while his 429 passing yards were the fourth-highest.

When stepping back and looking at the context of Rodgers’ performance from a farther vantage point, though, the whole ordeal becomes even more impressive and is a big reason for why he’s a legitimate MVP candidate at this point in the season.

Rodgers completed a pass to eight different receivers against the Raiders, while five different receivers caught a touchdown. All eight receivers had at least two catches, and three of those receivers were running backs.

With no Davante Adams (turf toe) for the third-straight game, Rodgers was able to spread the wealth amongst three running backs (Aaron Jones, Jamaal Williams, Danny Vitale), a hodgepodge of undrafted free agents (Geronimo Allison, Allen Lazard, Jake Kumerow), an aging tight end (Jimmy Graham) and a former fifth-round selection (Marquez Valdes-Scantling).

“I think this (Week 7) was the most complete that I’ve played,” Rodgers later stated. “I feel like this has been coming, I really do.” Head coach Matt LaFleur rightfully presented Rodgers with game ball in the locker room after the big win, per Packers on YouTube.

Rodgers now has 2,019 passing yards on 8.1 yards per pass attempt this season, with 14 total touchdowns, two interceptions, a 64.8 completion percentage and 103.7 passer rating. Just last week, we profiled why Rodgers was quietly having a great season, despite the stats saying otherwise. After a breakout game in Week 7, it’s not so quiet anymore.