Aaron Rodgers makes 100th career start count on MNF

Everyone saw the comparisons in the pre-game of Monday Night Football – each leading NFL QB, including Aaron Rodgers, in their initial 100 starts.

He had another night to remember last night on MNF against the Atlanta Falcons, extending his lead in the race for league MVP.

He’s in very good company in all of the records … though he’s also a chart-topper in most of them.

Touchdowns?

He’s at the top.

Passing yards?

Yeah, he’s about that life.

Touchdown-to-interception ratio?

He’s so far beyond (nearly double) every other player on the list [Donovan McNabb, Tom Brady, etc.] that it is actually laughable.

At home, especially, Rodgers is masterful.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan greets Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers following the game at Lambeau Field. Green Bay won 43-37. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports photograph

He had another night to remember last night on MNF against the Atlanta Falcons, extending his lead in the race for league MVP.

Rodgers threw for 355 yards and 3 touchdowns; with … you guessed it … zero interceptions.

Rodgers is now 34 TDs to just 3 interceptions on the season. including 23 TDs and zero interceptions in his 7-game home stretch.

Those numbers are just incredible.

The first drive of the game, Rodgers made the Falcons defense look like the 32nd-ranked defense that they are. He imposed his will on the defense in back-to-back touchdown drives, hitting Cobb, Nelson, Lacy, Starks and Andrew Quarless along the way.

He moved the pocket with his legs, extended plays, ran for crucial gains and stopped short of a walk-in touchdown run … twice. Rodgers was not to be stopped, in prime time.

With 30 seconds left in the first half, Rodgers pulled a Houdini stunt at the line of scrimmage. He ducked, and dipped and dodged and was out to his right, scrambling to find a receiver inside the red zone.

Uncovering, he found Jordy Nelson alone at the back of the end zone, for another one of his beautiful, and frustrating (to opposing defenses) on-the-move touchdowns.

Aaron Rodgers throws a pass during warmups prior to the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Lambeau Field. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports photograph

The Falcons were disheartened at halftime, taking a 31-7 deficit into the locker room. However, a lack of defensive adjustments (and a combination of a lack of effort) for the Packers defense at the half, had Matt Ryan looking like the Matty Ice of yore.

Ryan and the Falcons stormed back from 24 points down, within 13 … within 10 … within 9 … within 6 points of the Packers, late in the fourth quarter.

However, Aaron Rodgers was not about to allow his porous defensive effort ruin his century-mark start.

Rodgers and Co. continued to press the ball down the field, after a few stalled drives in the third quarter. Rodgers found Jordy Nelson for his seventh 45-plus-yard touchdown of the season – an NFL record, if anyone was wondering.

Rodgers-to-Nelson for a 60-yard TD seemed like it could put the nail in the coffin for the Falcons.

However, the rally continued against the Packers’ inability to come close to covering Julio Jones, Ryan’s lone dagger target of the night.

As the game came within 9 points, Rodgers was able to secure a FG that would put them up by nearly two scores. The Falcons retaliated.

An onside kick recovered by, guess who? Jordy Nelson – left the Falcons with a full compliment of timeouts to get Rodgers back on the sideline.

Aaron Rodgers looks to pass in the first quarter during the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Lambeau Field. Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports photograph

However, a designed run by Rodgers and a healthy dose of James Starks was all that was needed to give Aaron his 68th win in his first 100 starts, matching Brett Favre for total record (and that, alone).

While the Packers defense was highly criticized for being lackadaisical with Julio Jones, a known deep threat, and for poor angles, tackling and coverage in the secondary – Rodgers has continued to have praise heaped upon him.

It is wholly accepted that Rodgers is on his way to his second NFL MVP award in four years. He said himself that he is playing at the highest level of his career, and added: “if the offense had to hold the defense up tonight to get a win, then so be it and we’ll take it.”

Moving toward home-field advantage in the playoffs and clear Super Bowl aspirations – Rodgers shouldn’t have to hold up any more of the bargain than he already is.

He isn’t Atlas, holding the world up on his shoulders …

… but it certainly seems as though he may be Atlas to Green Bay.