Week 9 QB projections • GB Stats
QB Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
HT: 6-2, WT: 220, Born: 12-2-1983, College: California, Drafted: Round 1, Pick 24
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Stats and Week 9 Projection
| WK | OPP | RES | CMP | ATT | PYD | Y/A | PTD | INT | RSH | YD | Y/R | TD | FPT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | vs DET | W, 26-0 | 29 | 37 | 358 | 9.7 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 3.0 | 0 | 27 |
| 7 | at CLE | W, 31-3 | 15 | 20 | 246 | 12.3 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 23 | 5.8 | 0 | 30 |
| 8 | vs MIN | L, 26-38 | 26 | 41 | 287 | 7.0 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 52 | 10.4 | 0 | 35 |
| SEASON TOTAL | 147 | 225 | 1989 | 8.8 | 14 | 2 | 29 | 188 | 6.5 | 1 | 190 | ||
| 9 | at TB | PROJ | 22 | 31 | 247 | 8.0 | 1.9 | 1 | 3 | 14 | 4.7 | 0.1 | 22 |
Week 9 Injury Status and Other News
He was listed as probable on Friday's official injury report. [Fri Nov 6, 6:07 PM] Aaron Rodgers practiced fully on Friday and is expected to play in Week 9.[Thu Nov 5, 4:57 PM] Aaron Rodgers did not practice on Thursday. According to the Green Bay Press-Gazette, Rodgers wasn't expected to practice until Friday -- backup Matt Flynn is running the starting offense in his absence -- but will start on Sunday at Tampa Bay, barring a significant setback.
[Wed Nov 4, 5:28 PM] Aaron Rodgers did not practice on Wednesday.
[Tue Nov 3, 4:18 PM] Aaron Rodgers The Associated Press reports Aaron Rodgers is nursing a sprain on one foot and a sprained toe on the other foot. Head coach Mike McCarthy said Rodgers could miss some practice time this week, but is expected to start against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 9.
[Mon Nov 2, 3:09 PM] Rodgers was noticeably limping late in the game. According to coach Mike McCarthy, he suffered a sprain on one foot and a sprained toe on the other.
McCarthy says Rodgers could miss time in practice this week but is expected to play Sunday at Tampa Bay without hurting his mobility.
Rodgers was limping after the game but said he expected to be OK after a few days.
Opinion (from The Upgrade/Downgrade/Waiver Report): Rodgers once again dealt with pressure all game. In the first half, Rodgers held onto the ball too long and was sacked four times. The Packers' QB was trying to slide in the pocket and complete down field throws, but the Vikings pressure was too persistent for subtle moves away from their path. In the second half, Rodgers made the adjustment and began to roll away from the pocket immediately after his drop or completely escape the pocket when blitzed. It was at this point Rodgers began to find his receivers, Driver and Jennings on crossing routes or quick hitting passes on the perimeter. He also found TE Spencer Havner on consecutive drives for scores to get the Packers back into the game. Rodgers also had a 35-yard gain down the right sideline after finding a crease through a folding pocket, and then got to the outside. Late in the fourth quarter, he limped off the field after a drive and was clearly bothered by the injury for the rest of the contest. The good sign here is that Rodger and Jennings are beginning to regain some rapport and despite a rough first half, he brought the team back from a big deficit, had good production, and made it close, and none of his mistakes resulted in turnovers.
Week 9 Matchup Info
at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Great matchup) - Aaron Rodgers is the third-best fantasy QB in the land over the past four weeks, with 70/98 for 891 yards, eight TDs and only one interception thrown (12/84/0 rushing), despite a crumbling offensive line that has coughed up 11 sacks and 17 hits on the QB during that same time frame. Last week, against the Vikings, Rodgers threw for 26/41 for 287 yards, three TDs and zero interceptions despite six Minnesota sacks and 10 hits absorbed. Greg Jennings led the team last week with 8/88/1 on 12 targets, while LB/TE Spencer Havner burned the Vikings for 2/21/2 (all he does is catch TDs!). Donald Driver was second on the team with 6/63/0 out of 10 targets. Understandably, Rodgers was seen limping after the game - he was sure he'd be ready for this game, though (if you got hit 16 times by the Vikings' defenders, you'd be limping too). As of Wednesday, Rodgers (toe, foot) was not participating during the media-access portion of practice. QB Matt Flynn took all the reps at quarterback during practice during that portion of practice - but it is not unexpected to see Rodgers take some extra time to recuperate early in the week. If he's not practicing on Friday, then we'll start to be concerned. Stay tuned...The Buccaneers are not the Vikings - they are tied for 29th in the NFL with only 11 sacks this year (good news for Rodgers, who has been sacked a league-leading 31 times to date). So far, the Buccaneers average 214 net passing yards allowed per game, but they've handed over 16 passing TDs in just seven games, with eight interceptions to balance the points they're bleeding. Tom Brady threw for 23/32 yielding 307 yards, three TDs and two interceptions in the Patriots' 35-7 rout of Tampa in week seven; even Jake Delhomme threw a TD vs. them in week six (9/17 for 55 yards, one TD and two interceptions - but we are talking about Jake Delhomme here).
Rodgers and the Packers should feast on the soft Buccaneers this week, and he might even avoid getting sacked or hit every-other drop-back.
Game Summaries
Week 1 vs CHI - Rodgers was under constant pressure all night from the Chicago Bears. Whenever he dropped back, it seemed that Adewale Ogunleye knew the exact spot where he would be and was there almost as fast as Rodgers was when he dropped back. Rodgers was even sacked for a safety on a corner blitz by Daniel Manning, who wrapped Rodgers and his throwing arm up so he could not get rid of the ball. His numbers and production were limited up until late in the game due to the Bears' pass rush and several of his deeper throws to either WR Greg Jennings or WR Donald Driver were just off the mark. Rodgers kept firing but was limited to shorter completions until the final few minutes of the game. On a third and short with under two minutes to play the Packers decided to put in a two TE set and send Greg Jennings deep -- and the Packers and Rodgers finally got the matchup they wanted with Nathan Vasher over top of Jennings. Rodgers delivered a pretty pass for a 50 yard strike to Jennings for his only touchdown of the contest, but it was just enough.Week 2 vs CIN - Rodgers and the Packer passing game were hurt early by dropped passes, then struggled to get on track late due to the frequent pressure allowed by the offensive line. When given time, Rodgers moved in the pocket well and hit his receivers in stride. He spread the ball to three of his four of his primary wideouts as well as both tight ends and Ryan Grant. He was hit often and sacked six times, however, which kept him from finding any consistent rhythm. Some of those hits were on Rodgers, who tended to hold the ball to let longer routes develop than take his checkdown options. Most of his rushing yards came on scrambles late in the fourth quarter two minute offense.
Week 3 at STL - After a slow start - in which the Packers offense twice started with the ball inside the Rams 20-yard-line only to settle for field goals each time -- Rodgers showed why the Packers passing attack is feared. He found Donald Driver all over the field, connected with uncanny accuracy on his deep throws, and spread the ball around well enough that a third WR on this team has fantasy potential. Rodgers was often under pressure and forced to scramble but often made things happen, including a 5 yard touchdown run through the middle of the Rams defense. His play-action fakes sometimes had the entire defense fooled. His line easily could have been 4 passing TD's if his receivers had been able to come up with a couple of perfectly thrown passes.
Week 4 at MIN - Aaron Rodgers played a hell of a game against his former mentor. It was too bad the Viking defense was just too much for the Packer offensive line to handle. Rodgers spent much of the game running for his life, specifically from Jared Allen who seemed to be at his throat for the entire night. Rodgers made the best of it, rolling out and scrambling, throwing designed screens and throwing the ball away. Whatever he could to keep the defense from dragging him down for a big sack. It helped, but wasn't quite enough. When he had time (or created it), Rodgers was spot on. He made short accurate throws and hit the open receiver down the field when it was available. His TD pass to Jermichael Finley was a nice play and his other TD pass to Jordy Nelson was equally impressive. Rodgers didn't force the ball and took whatever the defense would allow him to have. He checked down or screened to Ryan Grant a lot, giving Grant 50 yards receiving for the day. If it were up to Rodgers, the Packers would have won. But Donald Lee's key drop in the end zone on 4th and goal after a 14 play, 8 minute drive was a killer, and the offensive line couldn't keep the Viking front four from collapsing the pocket for most of the night. Despite being down 16 points at one point, Rodgers kept his cool and put his team in a position to win the game. A fine performance in a losing effort.
Week 6 vs DET - Rodgers got off to a fast start and ended up torching the Lions week secondary on his way to his 2nd straight 300 yard effort. His hot start culminated in two TD tosses, a 47 yard beauty down the middle to James Jones and then a short strike to FB John Kuhn. Despite being under duress many times and sacked 5 times he was very poised in control throughout this one. His awareness allowed him to escape the pocket and extend a couple of plays as well. Rodgers did the majority of his damage in the 1st half before the Green Bay play calling went conservative in the 2nd half. He turned the ball over twice late in the game on a fumble in the pocket and an INT on a great individual effort by rookie LB DeAndre Levy on the INT. Overall this game wasn't nearly as lopsided as it could have been thanks to breakdowns and penalties by the Packers offensive line. Green Bay lost left tackle Chad Clifton to an injury in the third quarter possibly hurting the same right ankle that caused him to miss the previous two games. Rodgers is an elite talent who will only be held back (if at all) by weak line play in front of him.
Week 7 at CLE - For the first time in weeks, the Packers' offensive line protected Rodgers well in the pocket. The Packers also used more rollouts to assist the line and Rodgers seemed more cognizant of the need to slide away from pressure in the pocket. One of those plays turned into a 19 yard scramble. Rodgers was accurate, delivering the ball to his receivers in stride, allowing Donald Driver and Spencer Havner to catch the ball at full speed and break long runs after the catch for touchdowns.
Week 8 vs MIN - Rodgers was let down by his offensive line today, but once again, at least two or three of his sacks were on him for holding the ball too long. He was a bit erratic early, and his poor decisions cost the Packers a chance to convert a turnover in a touchdown early. In the second half, Rodgers did settle down and make the passing game look easy when he got time to throw. He kept plays alive in the red zone, finding Spencer Havner twice for touchdowns, and he also got a long gain as a runner when the play broke down. Rodgers also made a few excellent downfield throws on the move. When the game tightened up in the fourth quarter, Rodgers relied on too many low percentage throws, and generally seemed out of sync with his receivers. Rodgers made a downfield throw into double coverage instead of making a FG attempt shorter on third and long when the score was 31-26, and after Mason Crosby's miss, the Packers didn't seem to have the same fight in their comeback bid. There is nothing wrong with Rodgers from a fantasy perspective, but he is still looking a bit antsy when he drops back, and he needs a signature comeback win to get this offense going in the right direction.
