Green Bay Packers v. Seahawks: 4 Big Things from Shutout Win
By Paul Bretl
Practice reps matter—even for a Green Bay Packers MVP
Aaron Rodgers had been on the reserve/COVID list for 10 days and didn’t return to the team until Saturday—just one day before the Green Bay Packers faced the Seattle Seahawks.
Although Rodgers was participating all week in team meetings virtually, he of course, was not on the practice field—which Rodgers would call “not ideal.” Rodgers’ last full practice was October 27th and his last game October 28th—so there was some rust to shake off.
Overall, Rodgers’ numbers were fine as he finished 23/37 for 292 yards with 7.9 yards per attempt. But his passer rating of 75.5 is a more accurate portrayal of how the game went.
On a few occasions, we saw some inaccurate passes from Rodgers—particularly downfield. At times he looked rushed, even if the pressure hadn’t reached him yet, and the decision-making on that interception he threw was very poor and uncharacteristic.
Although Rodgers was off, it was a well-called game for Matt LaFleur, who leaned on the run game and had a good mix of play-action, boots, RPOs, and screens to help this offense — and Rodgers — find a rhythm.
Of course, there is no reason to panic, but Sunday was a reminder that even for an MVP and a thrower of the football as talented as Rodgers is, rust is real, and practice time — even with the connection he has with his receivers — is important.