Can Aaron Rodgers Beat Father Time and the Detroit Lions on MNF?
The Detroit Lions have won three of their last four trips to Lambeau Field, but can Aaron Rodgers get the job done on Monday Night for the Packers? | Credit: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images/AFP
It has been a few years since there has been a meaningful game between the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers. Some would say that week seven is too soon for any game to be called ‘meaningful.’ However, when both teams only have one loss, and every team in their division has a winning record, even a week seven game has a little meaning to it.
But does Aaron Rodgers still have enough game in him to get his team a much-needed win?
Aaron Rodgers Nearing the End of the Road?
It hasn’t been your typical Green Bay Packers season for the Aaron Rodgers era. While their record may be 4-1, the offense has struggled some. But when it has, the defense played well enough for the team to still win.
Strangely enough, when the offense and Rodgers were the most productive versus the Eagles in week four, they lost. For the first time this season, the defense was not able to do its part.
If they can’t count on the defense, then they have to count on the offense. But can they rely on Aaron Rodgers to make his magic happen even though he will be without his No. 1 receiver, Davante Adams?
The easy answer would be ‘yes,’ but in reality, that is hard to say. Rodgers has not been his usual dominant self this season. He is still completing 62.8 percent of his passes (slightly better than last season). He has only thrown one interception, so he is doing a great job of protecting the ball.
But with the exception of a 422-yard night against Philadelphia, he is averaging right around 221 yards/game this season. For a quarterback of Rodgers’ reputation and caliber, that is not good. Could it be that we are witnessing the decline of one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history?
Some would say yes because a decline is inevitable in every player. The Patriots are still dominating the NFL, but not because of Tom Brady. Maybe it is time for the Packers to at least start looking for Rodgers’ replacement?
But many more would point to the new system first-year head coach Matt LaFleur has installed. New systems take time for even great players like Rodgers to adjust to. Without much talent at wide receiver, that task becomes even harder.
Aaron Rodgers on Monday Night
If there is anyone that can pull through for his team on Monday Night Football, it is Aaron Rodgers. He has thrown for 300+ yards in each of his last four appearances and earned a passer rating of at least 100 in each game.
However, the Detroit Lions have had the number of the Packers in Lambeau in recent years , winning in three of their last four visits. With Matthew Stafford playing as well as he is, the Packers may need a vintage night from Rodgers to pull out the win.
Prediction
Rodgers is still a great quarterback, but he isn’t the man he used to be. However, that being said, the Packers do not need him to be that guy anymore. Not only do they have one of the better defenses in the NFL, but the run game has been doing better; Aaron Jones rushed for 107 yards on 19 carries against Dallas last week.
With Detroit not being particularly strong against the run or pass defensively, this is a game the Packers can win (Packers are favored by 3.5 points at DraftKings ) and should.
It just might not be because of Aaron Rodgers.
