In Week 10, the Green Bay Packers rallied from a 14-point fourth quarter deficit to defeat the Dallas Cowboys. For all intents and purposes, it was a season-saving win and the connection that quarterback Aaron Rodgers seemed to finally find with his receivers offered a slight glimmer of hope for those who want to see Green Bay turn its season around. That hope did not last long.
The struggles that have plagued the Packers for much of the season were back in Week 11’s game against the Tennessee Titans on Thursday night. The Titans struck early, scoring a touchdown on the game’s opening possession. Green Bay responded with a touchdown of its own later in the quarter but missed the game-tying extra point. Things got no better for the Packers for the rest of the game, with the Titans winning 27-17.
Statistically, Rodgers had an average game. The Green Bay quarterback was 24-for-39 with for 227 yards with two touchdowns, no interceptions and a 94.7 passer rating. But he also had an intentional grounding that was nearly a safety. With the Packers down 10 and driving in the fourth quarter, Rodgers took a terrible sack, turning a second-and-seven into a third-and-19. And in the fourth quarter, he was only 8-for-16 for 60 yards.
A positive for the Packers is that Rodgers and rookie receiver Christian Watson connected for two more touchdowns on Thursday. Despite that, though, the overall disconnect between the quarterback and his receivers was on full display on Thursday night.
The boos are out at Lambeau Field after Aaron Rodgers and Aaron Lazard can't connect on a fourth down. pic.twitter.com/rWEScxfcRR
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) November 18, 2022
The struggles were noticed.
Aaron Rodgers having a brutal 4th quarter here, with the season on the line.
Tough.
— GBP Daily – Rob Westerman lll (@GBPdaily) November 18, 2022
The many moods of Aaron Rodgers tonight pic.twitter.com/aj0wVvqU7l
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) November 18, 2022
Aaron Rodgers isn't going to win MVP again this year.
Heard it here first.
— Ross Tucker (@RossTuckerNFL) November 18, 2022
Aaron Rodgers when his WRs don't literally read his mind… 🤬pic.twitter.com/RtZVc5P6hm
— theScore Bet (@theScoreBet) November 18, 2022
Aaron Rodgers tonight: pic.twitter.com/Ju2gVnBXGs
— Caesars Sportsbook & Casino (@CaesarsSports) November 18, 2022
Aaron Rodgers has 16 straight games w/ fewer than 300 pass yds (including playoffs).
Longest streak of career pic.twitter.com/0eG4UJFk8s
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) November 18, 2022
Rodgers even acknowledged his struggles after the game.
Aaron Rodgers: “I gotta throw the ball better than I did tonight.”
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) November 18, 2022
The loss dropped Green Bay to 4-7 on the season. With the Minnesota Vikings sitting at 8-1, the NFC North race is all but officially over. Mathematically, the Wild Card is more plausible, given the struggles of the NFC. The San Francisco 49ers presently occupy the last NFC Wild Card spot at 5-4. More troubling for the Packers is that three other teams — the Washington Commanders, Atlanta Falcons and Arizona Cardinals — sit between San Francisco and Green Bay.
While the season may not be over for the Packers, it’s getting close. There’s very little wiggle room. Rodgers is far from the team’s only problem. But if Green Bay is going to get back to the playoffs, he will need to be a lot sharper for the season’s final six games.
