The Myth of Putting the Blame On Aaron Rodgers in the 4 NFC Title Game Losses by the Green Bay Packers

While, it’s true that the Green Bay Packers are 1-4 in NFC title games with Aaron Rodgers playing quarterback, the myth about blaming No. 12 for the losses is truly laughable.

The first loss, the 28-22 overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks was just a total failure by all phases of the football team over the last five minutes of the game. I would put the majority of the blame on both the defense, who had played brilliantly up until that time and the special teams units of the Packers.

The Packers had a number of opportunities where they could have basically ended the game with just one play before then. For instance, safety Morgan Burnett went to the ground after an interception, when it looked like he had a good chance to run the pick back deep into Seattle territory (perhaps even a touchdown) which would have clinched the game.

Still, even with that mistake, the Packers could have won on offense by just getting one more first down. Instead of allowing Rodgers, the MVP of the league in 2014 to throw the ball at least one time, head coach Mike McCarthy instead had the Packers run it three straight times when getting a first down basically would have ended the game. The Packers didn’t get the needed first down.

It led to a Seattle touchdown after the ensuing punt.

Then came the onside kick debacle. Instead of blocking like he was supposed to do, so Jordy Nelson could catch the ball, Brandon Bostick tried to be a hero and catch the ball himself. He didn’t and the Seahawks recovered.

Seattle scored again and were now up by three points. The Packers had to drive down the field to tie the game with a Mason Crosby field goal. McCarthy had no choice but to allow Rodgers to throw the ball in that situation and No. 12 quickly got the Packers in field goal position.

The Packers did indeed tie the game but lost in overtime.

Then how about the 2016 NFC title game? It’s hard to win when your defense gives up 44 points. But that’s what the Green Bay defense gave up to the Atlanta Falcons in the 44-21 loss. The defense also gave up 493 total yards. Rodgers threw for 287 yards and had three touchdown passes versus one interception. The passer rating for Rodgers that day was 91.6.

Then there was the 2019 NFC title game against the San Francisco 49ers. Again, the defense of the Packers was gashed, as they gave up 37 points to the Niners, as well as 285 yards rushing. Rodgers threw for 326 yards and had two touchdown passes versus two picks as the Packers scored 20 points in a game. The passer rating for Rodgers was 97.2.

Then is the 2020 NFC title game at Lambeau Field, the defense allowed 31 points, although two of those scores were set up on turnovers. One on a interception by Rodgers (on a clear defensive holding call that wasn’t flagged) and one on a fumble by running back Aaron Jones. Rodgers threw for 346 yards and had three touchdown passes vs. that one pick. The passer rating for Rodgers was 101.6.

Oh, by the way, the passer rating of Tom Brady of the Bucs was 73.8, as Tom Terrific threw three picks to go along with his three touchdown passes. But Tom was the winner and so goes the glory.

Bottom line, it’s tough to win a NFC title game when your defense gives up an average of 35 points a game in the last four NFC title games the Packers appeared in.

Brady has played in 14 AFC or NFC title games. His record is 10-4. The defenses he played with allowed less than 21 points per game in those title games.

That’s two touchdowns less than what Rodgers had to overcome on average in the past four NFC championship games he appeared in.

Also, Rodgers has a postseason passer rating of 100.5, which is fourth all time in NFL history. Brady has a postseason passer rating of 90.4, which is 15th all time. So why the seven Super Bowl wins by Brady and only one for Rodgers? Just look at the defenses and the special teams that both played with during that time.

In fact, let’s really look at the defenses that played behind Brady when he won his seven Super Bowls. In each one of those seasons, the team defenses on his team were all in the top 10 in the NFL. Twice, the defenses were ranked No. 1. When Rodgers won Super Bowl XLV, the defense of the Packers was ranked No. 2.

When the Packers lost the 2014 NFC title game, the Green Bay defense was ranked 14th. When the Packers lost the 2016 NFC title game, the Green Bay defense was ranked 21st. When the Packers lost the 2019 NFC title game, the Green Bay defense was ranked 18th. When the Packers lost the 2020 NFC title game, the Green Bay defense was ranked 9th in total defense.

Bottom line, when NFL teams win championship games, more times than not, all three phases of that team will play well. But that has not been the case with Rodgers in the four NFC title games he has lost. It’s very difficult to win when your defense gives up an average of 35 points per game, not too mention multiple special teams gaffes.

But that is what Rodgers had to deal with in his four NFC title game losses.