Packers dismantle Raiders behind the accurate arm of Aaron Rodgers

The Packers came into this game with one goal: beat the Raiders. Well, not only did they beat them, they thoroughly dismantled them. After going down 10-7 late in the second quarter, Green Bay would outscore them 35-7 overall after that. 

Aaron Rodgers was absolutely on fire statistically. He ended up completing 80% of his passes (25/31) for 429 yards and accounted for 6 total touchdowns (5 passing, 1 rushing). He could not be stopped. WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling was the primary target for Rodgers, catching 2 passes for 133 receiving yards and 1 touchdown, a 66.5 YP/R average. TE Jimmy Graham, WR Jake Kumerow, and RBs Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams all caught touchdowns as well. This was by far the most lethal I’ve seen the offense perform thus far.

Rodgers’ performance also marked the first time in Packer history that a quarterback had finished a game with a perfect passer rating. He talked about it after the game: “I think this was the most complete that I’ve played. I felt good about the timing, there were a lot of balls thrown on time. Obviously, the line played fantastic. Again, Bryan and Dave have been rocks. The inner three have really been playing well. [They] gave me a lot of clean pockets where I could just throw and then a few times where I had to hang in there or move slightly, we were able to complete those. And then guys made plays. Obviously Aaron [Jones] with the great body adjustment catch. I thought Jimmy [Graham] played really well and made a great ankle catch for a touchdown that was great. Allen [Lazard] had some nice plays and Geronimo also. That’s the way you want it to look.” 

Obviously Rodgers knows the potential of the potency of the offense when it’s clicking on all cylinders. It took some time for the offense and Rodgers to come to form but if he can put up these monster numbers on offense without his #1 receiver, what’s going to happen when Adams comes back? Right now, the offense is performing just fine without him, which is a scary thought considering he’s nearing a comeback sooner rather than later. I have a feeling it’s only going to get better from here, Rodgers is becoming more and more comfortable within it, which bodes very well for him and the team as a whole. 

Defensively, it was a very good game as well. They ended up giving up only 24 total points and forced two Oakland turnovers (1 fumble and 1 interception). Both came at crucial points in the game as well. I hope the defense continues to create and force turnovers, it’ll only make the team as a whole perform at a much higher level cohesively. 

Lastly, pundits and analysts can slander Green Bay all they want due to last week’s game and how it was won but the fact remains: they’re 6-1 and still at the top of the NFC North — all with a rookie head coach guiding them. Things can and will only go up from here for the Packers. Keep playing together, keep winning, continue to prove the doubters wrong. Onto Kansas City Sunday night.

@DieHardPackrFan #DHPF #ParkerMoes @ParkerMoes

Featured Photo Credit: Dan Powers/USA Today Network-WIS