Aaron Rodgers Getting Slaughtered in Likely Last NFC Title Game is a Tough Look for His Legacy
By Jerry Trotta
How many NFL fans out there convinced themselves that the Green Bay Packers-San Francisco 49ers clash in the NFC Championship would be significantly different than the Week 12 blowout between the two teams?
Well, congratulations. You played yourself.
On Sunday, Raheem Mostert stole the show and the Pack had zero answers for him -- but we should be talking about how Aaron Rodgers ended up having virtually no ability to influence this game for the better.
Aaron Rodgers NFC Championship Games:
— Vienna Falcons (@ViennaFalcons) January 20, 2020
Won by 7 vs Jay Cutler, Caleb Hanie and Todd Collins when Hanie threw a pick-six to a DT.
Lost three other times by 46 vs Matt Ryan, Russell Wilson and Jimmy Garoppolo, including two first half shutouts.
Sure, you can credit that to Kyle Shanahan's spectacular gameplan, and yes, Green Bay's offensive line (and defense) didn't do Rodgers any favors, but we're talking about arguably the single best thrower of the football of all time.
Rodgers was only able to establish a rhythm after halftime, which was simply too late. After all, San Francisco had taken a foot off the gas at that point. Throwing for fewer than 80 yards in a half and entering the break down 27-0? For a guy like Rodgers, that just feels wrong.
And yet, here we are. If you ask us, this performance should serve as a knock on his legacy.
Despite missed opportunity, Aaron Rodgers, Packers see "open" window after NFC title game loss (via @JimTrotter_NFL)https://t.co/jeYGkBZuQt pic.twitter.com/lVW3P5MypT
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) January 20, 2020
That's the thing, folks. We aren't so sure that Green Bay's window with Rodgers behind center is still open. And the fact that the Pack were absolutely pummeled in what is likely to be his NFC Championship Game is a bitter pill to swallow.