The first two weeks of the NFL season have been a difficult stretch for the Green Bay Packers and quarterback Aaron Rodgers as the usually potent Packers offense has stalled to open 2016. As two lackluster performances in back to back games to open the season has now raised concerns in Green Bay in regards to Rodgers and the struggling offense.
Rodgers and the Packers had a rough day at the office on the road against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday Night Football in a 17-14 loss that was dominated by the Vikings defense. A 213-yard night for Rodgers with just one passing touchdown not good enough against the Vikings on the road. Minnesota shifting the balance of power in the NFC North away from the Packers as after two weeks it looks like the Green Bay offense is in the midst of regression.
Through two games, Rodgers has continued to bring his struggles from 2015 into this season as the former MVP has continued to be a shell of his former self. In fact, Rodgers numbers over the last 16 games for the Packers have been abysmal enough to worry about the future. A completion percentage under 60% and a passer rating in the mid-80s tell the tale when it comes to Rodgers as a quarterback who is currently playing well below his high standard as a future Hall of Fame level passer.
Even more concerning is how Rodgers has been consistently mediocre for this entire year-long stretch as Rodgers has failed to have a QB rating over 100.0 since early last season. A span of 14 consecutive games without one of the benchmarks of a quality start at quarterback for Rodgers showcasing the harsh reality of the situation for the Packers as they continue to look for answers to turn things around. A turnaround that starts with Rodgers, who needs to find himself and the things that work in the Green Bay offense to return to his former level.
For now, Rodgers and the Packers are sticking to their guns as after the loss to the Vikings there was plenty of talk about not overreacting just yet from the quarterback. Rodgers telling reporters after the game on Sunday there should be no overreacting to the early struggles as the offense is still finding their rhythm in the opening stretch of the season.
“I don’t think this is anything to get super crazy about,” Rodgers said during his postgame press conference. “Well, we’re not going to overreact. It’s been two weeks. We’ve been not quite finding our rhythm yet, but we’ve got some guys working in that haven’t worked together a whole lot. So we’re going to trust the process and believe we can get this thing turned around.”
While Rodgers has a point that the Packers have to find familiarity with some new faces, it is hard not to view this as a longterm for the Green Bay offense based on the stats dating back to last season. It is clear that Rodgers hasn’t been himself for awhile now and if the Packers want to contend for a Super Bowl, they need their leader to put an end to what is now a year-long slide.
On the other side of the coin is the fact that the Packers went to the playoffs last season with Rodgers struggles. The Packers falling just short of the NFC Championship Game at the end of the season proving it is possible for Green Bay to win even with a lesser version of Rodgers at the helm.
For now, the Packers will hope that things can turn around on offense over a stretch of four consecutive games at Lambeau Field. A homestand that gives the Packers a chance to find the answers to their problems with homefield advantage on their side. A perfect for situation for Rodgers as he looks to get going and jumpstart the sluggish offense.
At 1-1, the Packers are at a crossroads as they prepare to host the Detroit Lions this weekend as with a stagnant offense there is a fear this team might not be good enough to contend for the NFC North crown. Rodgers needs to silence the whispers with a big division win over the Lions, but for now the questions directed towards the Green Bay offense are deserved as this Packers team needs to prove the doubters wrong before it gets respect. If things can’t turn around against the Lions and over this month-long homestand for the Packers at Lambeau Field, Green Bay’s playoff hopes could be in question as well.
