Aaron Rodgers’s victory over the Cowboys is his greatest triumph to date. In this game, Rodgers led his inspired team out to the field, ready to steal victory from the heavily favored Cowboys. With a bad loss against a winless Tampa Bay, the Packers had put their backs against the wall. The Packers were looking to avenge their losses in recent years against the hated conference rival. Both teams came out of the tunnel ready to play. The first half of this game would be a defensive struggle, when the half time whistle blew, the Packers were up 3-0.
In the third quarter, Rodgers took command of the field and led an inspired drive down field. The Packers drove 80 yards in 15 plays which included two excellent third and long conversions. Rodgers capped off the drive with a touchdown-scoring quarterback sneak. In this drive, the Packers broke the Cowboys’ spirit and, with a critical forced fumble by Charles Woodson shortly afterwards, put the dagger in the hopes of the Cowboys.
The defeat of the Cowboys has kept the Packers playoff hopes alive and well. It has also silenced those who have said all season that the Packers cannot beat a good team. Though Rodgers had a lot of help from the defense, he came through and scored two touchdowns when he had to. Even with the Dallas game being his finest hour, below are four other good performances by Rodgers against good opponents:
Sep 13, 2009 – CHI 15 @ GB 21
The much hyped opening prime time game with the Bears was a hard-fought game that came down to the wire. The entire news media was abuzz over the quarterback match-up between the much-hyped Jay Cutler and Rodgers. His game winning moment came on 3rd and 1, where, on a play action pass, Rodgers hit Jennings beautifully allowing him to go 50 yards for the game winning score. Rodgers not only proved to be the quality quarterback that day, but Cutler proved to be inept, tossing up 4 interceptions to the Packers D.
Oct 19, 2008 – IND 14 @ GB 34
The Packers came out and handed the Colts a solid beat down. Rodgers had a quiet day but was able to lead the offense downfield in the first half to give the Packers a respectable lead. In the second half, the Packers defense took over and sealed the game by returning two Peyton Manning interceptions returned for touchdowns.
Nov 16, 2008 – CHI 3 @ GB 37
After a heartbreaking 1 point loss to the Vikings, Aaron Rodgers showed his critics that he could bounce up off a loss. Rodgers and the Packers did it with style in this game, and truly punished the Bears. Rodgers threw for 227 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also managed to complete a pass to nine different receivers in this game.
Sep 08, 2008 – MIN 19 @ GB 24
Rodgers’s debut as a starter was a quiet but solid effort. Rodger went 18 of 22 for 178 yards and a touchdown passing as well as rushing. By no means were those monster numbers but they showed that he could be an acceptable heir to Favre’s throne.
Rodgers has proven himself as a capable leader of the Green Bay Packers and up and coming elite NFL
quarterback. His greatest performances are still be yet to come. As a Packer fan, I can’t wait to witness them. Go Pack Go!
