Green Bay Packers Fantasy Profile: Championship Week 2014
By Kenn Korb
Dec 14, 2014; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) reacts to a call during the second half against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. The Bills beat the Packers 21-13. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
QB – Aaron Rodgers
Last Week: 17/42, 185 passing yards, 2 INTs, 27 rush yards; 8.10 fantasy points
Dec 14, 2014; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) during the second half against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Bills beat the Packers 21-13. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
This game is surely one Aaron Rodgers wants to forget. On so many levels, it was his worst game EVER.
Check those stats above, then add in ones such as passer rating (34.3) and QBR (17.2) and you can see that it was a pretty terrible showing. That isn’t all on him — his receivers didn’t do him any favors with 7 drops — but he assuredly played a major part in that.
Lucky for him, the defense he faces this week is nowhere near as potent.
Whereas Buffalo ranks highly in Defensive DVOA statistics (#1 Weighted, #1 vs Pass, #11 vs run), Tampa Bay is a much easier matchup on all fronts (#18 Weighted, #26 vs Pass, #12 vs run).
Don’t believe the defense is completely void of talent; Gerald McCoy is monstrous on the interior defensive line, Lavonte David racks of tackles and covers space quick at LB, and Alterraun Verner is really good as a zone-coverage CB (zone being the type of defense usually employed for Tampa Bay this year).
The thing is though, outside of those guys it is really lacking for solid-to-elite players. Against someone like Rodgers — who will surely be looking to rebound in a major way in a game the Packers need to win — he’ll be licking his chops in excitement.
A return to his usual high-yardage/multi-TD/no-INT ways should be in the cards.
Prediction: 325 passing yards, 30 rushing yards, 3 TDs; 28.00 Fantasy Points
Verdict: Must-Start