Packers: Aaron Rodgers needs another magical run to save season
Six years ago, the Green Bay Packers lost four games in a row. The season was falling apart.
Then Aaron Rodgers became a superhero, carrying the Packers to six straight wins to close out the regular season before eliminating the New York Giants and top-seed Dallas Cowboys in the playoffs.
A run of four straight defeats was turned into eight consecutive victories and a place in the NFC Championship Game.
Fast forward to the present day.
Green Bay has a 4-7 record, losing six of its past seven games. To even have a shot at earning a wild-card berth, this team likely needs to run the table.
Like in 2016, six games remain with the first coming on the road against the Philadelphia Eagles. On primetime, too.
It was that night that Rodgers hit his MVP best and the Packers began to turn their season around.
For it to happen again, Rodgers needs to turn into that superhero once more.
In the first 10 games of the 2016 season, Rodgers threw for 2,761 yards, 25 touchdowns, and seven interceptions, with a passer rating of 96.0. Not bad numbers, but a little disappointing by Rodgers’ incredibly high standards.
In the final six games of the season, Rodgers threw for 1,667 yards, 15 touchdowns, and no interceptions, with a passer rating of 121.0.
His completion percentage improved from 63.1% to 71%.
In playoff victories over the Giants and Cowboys, Rodgers threw for 717 yards, six touchdowns, and one interception, with a passer rating of 139.22 over the two games.
It was a truly remarkable turnaround from Rodgers and the Packers.
There are some differences, however. In 2016, Rodgers had Jordy Nelson and Davante Adams to throw the ball to.
He will need Christian Watson to continue to stack success — he has five touchdown catches in the past two games. Romeo Doubs will need to make an impact when he returns from injury. The rookie has 314 yards and three touchdowns in nine games.
Time is running out for the Packers. Like in 2016, they need to begin a magical run, starting on the road against the Eagles.
Super Rodgers must return.