I've said it a few times during this late-season run and it was true again on Sunday: Aaron Rodgers is currently riding the longest and most impressive streak of QB excellence in my lifetime as an NFL observer. Even after a shaky start, he was able to rip the heart out of the Giants defense in turning a tense, frozen grind into a convincing blowout. The following five throws were the high points of this latest otherworldly performance.
Heading into this attempt, Rodgers was just 6/14 for 56 yards, the Packers were being shut out and Aaron had not yet found a rhythm in the game (although a couple of early drops were main culprits in this). Green Bay was fortunate to find themselves in their best starting field position of the game and Rodgers promptly delivered this dime to Davante Adams. It was the spark that ignited a hot hand, and the Packers scored to take the lead just two plays later.
On the next drive, Rodgers worked another one of his Hail Mary miracles in a fourth and two situation where even a field goal seemed unlikely. I say it every time this happens: Aaron Rodgers is the best Hail Mary thrower ever, it absolutely is a skill, and this one could not have been more perfect. He has somehow turned the Hail Mary play into a timing throw like any other in the Green Bay offense, as he once again employed the roll right, crow hop and fire rhythm that we have seen on his other Hail Mary conversions. He has clearly practiced this play, with this exact footwork and timing, hundreds if not thousands of times. Then the arc and placement of the throw were as precise as it can get. You could have placed a garbage can in the ideal spot at the back of the end zone and this chuck would have hit the bottom without touching any of the sides. We should really call this play the "Hail Aaron" from here on in.
It was all downhill from here for the Packers, who began to pull away late in the third quarter on this 30 yard score. The perfection of the throw was critical on this play, as it allowed Randall Cobb to take the pass in stride and score after catching it on the 14 yard line.
This was probably the second most critical play of the game after the Hail Mary, as the Giants were already down two scores and had Rodgers in a 3rd and 11 predicament on his own 29 yard line. Aaron did not blink in delivering this perfect throw into a hole in New York's (admittedly messy) zone coverage. Once again, the timing and delivery were perfect, allowing for a catch and run by Ty Montgomery on this devastating fourth quarter conversion.
Then there was the dagger, a simply brilliant display of pocket footwork that allowed Rodgers time to cycle through all five of his potential targets and return to Randall Cobb with a 10/10 bullet to the back of the end zone. Just unstoppable.
I also like this play as a slightly less critical example of Rodgers' great patience, rhythm and confidence at the moment. This play action roll out was always going to Davante Adams. Aaron immediately knew Adams was open, yet he sells the fake and the roll out completely, and waits for Adams to reach the most open spot the furthest distance down the field to squeeze every yard out of this successful play call. There is no rush to get the ball out, no hesitation on running the play all the way to its end. Only perfect judgment and execution resulting in a first down to the 14 yard line.
An interesting commonality here is the Giants never rushed more than four on any of these plays and simply could not muster any kind of pressure this way. Blitzing Rodgers is always a risky proposition because he can identify and release the ball faster than any other quarterback in the league and would actually prefer operating this way. You have to believe the Cowboys, whose secondary is far less talented than New York's, will have to attempt something creative to get pressure on Rodgers this Sunday in order to avoid being picked apart like this. But honestly, I don't think there is a "correct" or "most likely to succeed" strategy when it comes to stopping a QB playing at this level.