Green Bay Packers: Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Rodgers is the player of the moment. Every year, around this time, a champion comes to the fore; a team gels at the perfect juncture; destiny comes a calling.
The 2007 New York Giants won the NFC from 6th seed. Despite their heroic, road warrior effort, many, nay, most, assumed their endeavour would culminate with a loss to the undefeated (at that point 18-0) New England Patriots. Of course, as history will recall, it didn’t: the Giants won in the most unexpected fashion.
So there is a precedent for such underdog victories…but here’s the rub: despite not having won a Super Bowl since Brett Favre led the Packers over the Patriots at the end of the ’96 season (and Adam Vinatieri’s first, giving him an amazing 6 Super Bowl appearances and 4 wins – random trivia for you), and despite facing a team that have 2 of the last 5 Lombardi trophies gathering dust in their locker room, and despite being the sixth seeds and worn ragged from a three game cross country slog, they are actually the favourites to win this one.
I am surrounded by a warm glow at the thought of the Packers winning after calling it from the offseason, but I never anticipated the Steelers would be standing in their way*: the Steelers, the possessors of one of the NFL’s most vaunted defences; they play football twice a season with the brutal Ravens and come out smiling more often than not; the don’t win Lombardi trophies, they collect them.
• I actually figured the Steelers would miss the playoffs amidst Ben’s suspension, the Ravens’ and Texans’ ascendency and the necessity to reload after losing a couple of players through free agency and to injury. I was wholly wrong.
So the question is, can Rodgers man-up when it matters and cut-up the Steelers’ defence and win the first of what I hope could be many for this talented outfit, or will the experience and incessant brutality of the black and gold be too much for the up-and-comer?
He can do it.
Aaron Rodgers’ superb play this season is the reason the Packers are so dangerous – that and the quality of their opportunistic, fast-paced defence is top-notch, and Rodgers’ supporting cast is a fearless group of weapons ready to be deployed at any moment and in any way. He may only have been a starter for 3 years, but this is his sixth season with the Packers and in the league. He is not wet behind the ears anymore.
He had a bad(ish) game by his standards against the Bears and was intercepted twice. I doubt he will get out of this game pick-free, but he should be able to get away with one as long as he throws 3+ touchdowns, which I think he will. 230+ yards 3tTDs and 1 INT is my call, and I think it will be enough for the Packers to win on the back of a strong, clock-controlling running game, managed by Rodgers.
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