texas wrote: ↑11 Oct 2023 13:31
This is why you need the eye test and can't rely on stats.
We all know what Rodgers did in the playoffs. Sure, he wouldn't throw INTs, but he would go into a shell against good defenses and just take sacks, and go 3 and out repeatedly. They'd let us get some points in garbage time or the 4th quarter to pad those stats, sure. But it was a hallmark of the MM era in the playoffs to get into these early deficits by going 3 and out constantly, and then rarely claw back.
There's absolutely no truth to what you're saying.
Here's a look at the playoff losses with Rodgers starting:
2009: They lost at Arizona 51-45 in overtime. No reasonable fan would even consider blaming that one on offense.
2011: It's true the offense didn't play well, but they were tied with the Giants at 10 at the two minute warning before half time. Somehow the defense managed to give up 10 points before the break and New York never looked back.
2012: The Packers didn't fall behind early in the loss to the Niners either as they were tied at 24 midway through the third quarter. At some point giving up 323 yards on the ground is going to catch up to a team though.
2013: The Packers tied the game at 20 with five minutes left in the game vs. the Niners but the defense couldn't get another stop with Hyde dropping an interception and San Francisco kicking the winning field goal with time expiring. In addition it might be worth noting that it was only Rodgers' second game back after returning from a broken collarbone.
2014: I won't talk about that game anymore, but they definitely weren't out of it early either.
2015: Rodgers "hail maryed" the team into overtime with Abbrederis and Janis as his top receivers. Of course he never got the ball back because the defense allowed a touchdown in three plays.
2016: It's true the team was out of that game by half time. Crosby missing a field goal and Ripkowski fumbling deep in Falcons territory significantly contributed to that happening though.
2019: Once again, the Packers were on the losing end of that game by half time. That's what you get when once again allowing nearly 300 rushing yards and four TDs on the ground. Garropolo only had to throw the ball eight times for the Niners to score 37 points.
2020: Once again, the Packers were within four points shortly before half time but allowed a touchdown on a hail mary and another one after Jones fumbled deep in their own zone. They nearly came back from that deficit though.
2021: The offense didn't play well in that one but special teams were the main reason for losing that game. And once again, the defense couldn't get another stop when it mattered the most.
Overall, it's not true Rodgers didn't play well in the playoffs or that the team was out of most losses early in those games. It's tough to win against good opponents while allowing a ton of points though.
Labrev wrote: ↑11 Oct 2023 13:39
Rodgers is statistically good in the playoffs due to playing pretty well in the wild card and divisional games, for the most part.
It was the conference championship that was his undoing, which yes usually entails facing a truly elite defense.
It's true Rodgers played bad in two conference championship games. Interestingly, the Packers won the one he put up his lowest passer rating as he was surrounded by a team capable of picking up the slack at that point. Unfortunately that never happened again.
Labrev wrote: ↑11 Oct 2023 14:47
So why did Jimmy G's team beat Rodgers?
Because the defense allowed the Niners to run for 285 yards and four touchdowns.