The Green Bay Packers, and Aaron Rodgers in particular, are playing with a new level of confidence and power that only comes from winning a world championship. Through four games this season the Packers have been dominant for the most part, and it all starts with Rodgers.
Not even the most ardent Aaron Rodgers followers could have foreseen the kind of play we are seeing now. I knew Rodgers was good, but he has far exceeded my expectations and has simply become the best QB in the league, bar none. If Rodgers play 16 games this year, Dan Marino’s and Tom Brady’s key passing records are in serious jeopardy.
And as long as Rodgers is under center the Packers are Super Bowl contenders. Yes I know the Packers’ defense is not the dominant force it has been since Dom Capers came aboard, but you are going to give up a lot of yards when teams are constantly playing catchup against you. As long as they keep the ground game in check they will be alright. The secondary will adjust to the loss of Nick Collins and get better as we go.
The Broncos were no match for the Packers yesterday, it was 21-3 before they knew what hit them and just when they thought they were back in it at 21-17 the Packers closed the door before the half to make it 28-17. The Broncos were done because they knew they couldn’t stop the Packers and no way was Kyle Orton outscoring Rodgers.
The Packers second real test of the season is Sunday night in the A.T.L. We all remember the last time the Packers played the Falcons and you can be sure they remember it too. The Falcons will out for blood and they did actually beat the Packers there earlier last year, so this should be a good battle.
So far the Falcons were blown out by the Bears in Chicago, lost in Tampa, won last week in Seattle and in their only home game so far beat the Eagles. Not exactly a hard schedule, and for a team that won 13 games last year there has to be a little concern in Atlanta. Hopefully the Packers can add to that concern.
More on the Falcons later, though, I want to enjoy victory Monday a little longer first.