Green Bay Packers news: Why they won; what’s ahead

Jan 11, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) waves to the crowd after the 2014 NFC Divisional playoff football game against the Dallas Cowboys at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Captain Rodgers’ Heroics

The Packers in this game really reflected their quarterback.

Jan 11, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) throws a pass against the Dallas Cowboys in the first half in the 2014 NFC Divisional playoff football game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

In the first half, we saw them start off okay, but ultimately endure a bit of a struggle that put them in an early hole — one that should have been bigger if not for mistakes made by the Cowboys in decision-making. The team as a whole just seemed to be lacking a certain something.

When looking at Rodgers, that something was comfort. His calf injury appeared to be limiting him greatly because he just could not seem to hit on many of the throws he usually completes in his sleep. That type of play helped contribute to the early deficit, but after halftime things changed dramatically.

In the second half Rodgers seemed to find a comfort zone, and it appeared to bring the whole team out of their slump. He came out firing, tripling his output from the first half and adding a couple more TD passes, one of which was rocketed between two defenders in the end-zone with perfect timing and accuracy that only few QBs could dream of on their best days — and he did it on one good leg.

While the calf injury will not heal up fully until the offseason, performances like this show that Rodgers is easily one of the best quarterbacks in the league even when he’s basically playing on one leg.

We could lament on how much better the outlook might be for Green Bay if their main guy weren’t hampered, but that’s not only a waste of time but it undermines just how good he still is anyway. He’s more than proven that no matter what, as long as he can get himself on the field somehow Green Bay has a legitimate shot of winning.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: enjoy this man while you’ve got him Packers fans. Guys like this don’t come around often, and it’s already beating so many odds to move from a legend in Brett Favre to someone who may be even more legendary by the end of his career in Aaron Rodgers.

Next: Concerns going forward