Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers had an MVP level season as the 37-year-old threw for 48 NFL touchdowns and 4,299 yards overall in the regular season.
After beating the Los Angeles Rams in the second round of the playoffs, the NFL saw that Rodgers wanted his second ring and a championship back in Green Bay.
This Sunday, the Packers take on six-time champion Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. For the Packers to reach the Super Bowl, Rodgers will need to have the game of his life.
The following predictions are based on what Rodgers has shown in the past and what he needs to do to beat the Packers against the famed Buccaneers.
1. Rodgers launches 3 TD
As previously mentioned, Rodgers threw for 48 touchdowns this year, while his star receiver Davante Adams threw for 18 touchdowns and 115 receptions and ran for 1,374 yards. But Mr. Adams may not be the only one making progress.
What makes Rogers so dangerous and has allowed the Packers to take the lead is that there are so many weapons in their offense. Wide receivers like Allen Lazard and Marquez Valdez-Scantling have combined for nine touchdowns, as they are both known for their long balls. Although the Packers have an incredible comeback in Aaron Jones, Rodgers can’t be afraid to throw the ball into the end zone and score quick touchdowns to overwhelm the Buccaneers’ defense.
2. Rodgers throw a long ball for a TD.
Aaron Rodgers has always been known for his ability to throw the long ball, whether it’s a Hail Mary or catching one of his wide receivers in 30-40 yard steps down the field. In the game against the Los Angeles Rams, his play action with Allen Lazard in the open end added to his growing list of shots with the deep ball when needed. Rodgers played a similar game in the regular season against the Chicago Bears, where he found Valdes climbing up the field. These games are dangerous because the touchdowns come from your own 30-40 yard line.
If Rodgers makes one of these passes, the momentum of the game will completely shift to the Packers as they fall behind or try to maintain the advantage. Rodgers, who threw for 240 yards and four touchdowns against the Bears and 296 yards and two touchdowns against the Rams in Week 17, proved to teams that he’s not afraid to let the ball fly no matter how good the defense. No one can make that shot as effectively as Rodgers, and he’ll likely try to play his wide receivers downfield for a quick touchdown against the Buccaneers’ defense.
3. Rogers will not launch an intercept
Rodgers made just five interceptions in 2020-21, tied for the fewest amount of picks that season. He made no interceptions for two four-game seasons, not to mention picks against some of the league’s best defenders, as the Bears and Rams could not force turnovers against Rodgers.
Not giving up the ball against the Buccaneers will be a priority for Rodgers, as Tom Brady will take advantage of every offensive possession he gets. Despite Brady’s preference for more spikes, he will squeeze every bit of juice out of every possession when it comes to scoring points for his team, and he will make the Packers pay for every turnover they produce.
With no interceptions, Aaron Rodgers will be able to move the chains for the Packers’ offense, allowing them to move steadily up the field and take control of the game clock. Rodgers recruits on defense, attacks the defense with short gains, opens up the long ball and directs the play when needed. If Rodgers manages to balance the offense, the Packers will see points on the board for nearly every offensive possession. An interception would only disrupt the Packers’ offensive flow, but Rodgers did a great job of making the most of every offensive possession.
Rodgers has proven in the NFL that he is one of the best quarterbacks in the game. His consistency, accuracy and composure in times of crisis are all attributes of the future pantheon. The Packers have a great chance to return to the Super Bowl this season, and Rodgers will make sure his team fights to the end to get there.
