Aaron Rodgers’ rib injury, bleak playoff prospects, and the Jordan Love factor. On their way out of town Sunday night, the Green Bay Packers were left to deal with it all.
Rodgers left Green Bay’s 40-33 defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles in the third quarter with a rib injury and an initial worry of a punctured lung, according to the quarterback.
After the game, the Packers’ seventh loss in eight, he was in such much pain that a team staff member carried Rodgers’ bag out of the visitors locker room at Lincoln Financial Field.
That left Love to complete the game – and nearly rally the Packers to victory – nearly 15 years to the day after Rodgers went in for an injured Brett Favre in Dallas on Nov. 29, 2007, and nearly accomplished the same thing.
Both backup quarterbacks came up short, with Love never getting a chance to tie the game because the Packers’ defence couldn’t come up with a stop in the final minute. While Rodgers’ fill-in job in his third year as a backup signalled that he was ready to replace Favre, no one expected Love to do the same on Sunday. However, it was his most spectacular performance in three NFL seasons, raising doubts about whether he should continue the season.
Rodgers refused to give anything, not even the game against the Chicago Bears next Sunday.
“I intend to play this weekend as long as I check out fine tomorrow,” Rodgers stated Sunday night. On Monday, he will get another rib scan.
He was X-rayed at the stadium, but it was “impossible to detect from the X-rays” whether he had cracked ribs. He stated the problem was triggered by two plays: one in the second quarter when he was struck and fell awkwardly, and then a third-quarter joint sack by Haason Reddick and Brandon Graham.
Rodgers had just led a drive that resulted in a Packers field goal, cutting the Eagles’ advantage to 34-23 with 2:03 remaining in the third quarter. On the trip, he seemed to be in pain and sprinted to the locker room with many members of the team’s medical staff.
“I was just having trouble breathing and twisting my upper body,” Rodgers explained. “I was also concerned about a punctured lung, so I wanted to get it looked out.”
Rodgers’ lungs were not ruptured, according to X-rays.
“I knew he was in a lot of discomfort,” said Packers coach Matt LaFleur. “This is one of the hardest people I’ve ever met, so I never doubt his toughness, his willingness to be out there, or his want to compete. In fact, he apologised to me, and I was like, ‘Don’t ever apologise to me.’ I’ll never doubt it.”
Rodgers confirmed earlier this week that the thumb ailment he’s been playing with since Week 5 is actually a broken bone. He insisted after the game that he would not need surgery on his thumb, either soon or later in the season, and that it was “certainly better than it was last week.”
Before leaving the field, Rodgers had completed 11 of 16 throws for 140 yards and two touchdowns. He also threw two interceptions in the first half for the second time in four weeks; he also had two in Green Bay’s Week 9 defeat at Detroit. It brought his season interception total to nine, which is already the most he has thrown in a season since 2010 (when he had nine).
With 11:11 left in the fourth quarter and the Packers behind 37-23, Love, the Packers’ 2020 first-round selection and potential successor apparent to Rodgers, entered the game. With 9 minutes remaining, he threw a 63-yard catch-and-run touchdown to rookie receiver Christian Watson to make it a one-score game. With 1:08 remaining, he led another drive that resulted in a field goal.
Love felt he may earn another possession because the Packers still had all three of their timeouts. But, as has been the case throughout the game, the Eagles ran out the clock. They carried for 363 yards (157 yards by quarterback Jalen Hurts and 143 yards by running back Miles Sanders), the highest rushing yards allowed by the Packers in a game since 1977.
Love ended 6-of-9 throwing for 113 yards, with the Packers scoring on each of his possessions. They hadn’t converted a third down until Love connected with Allen Lazard on third-and-5 from their own 30-yard line for 7 yards. Love then threw a slant to Watson, who converted it into a 63-yard touchdown.
Rodgers dismissed the idea of shutting it down for the season, at least as long as the Packers are still in contention to win the playoffs. At 4-8, they’re certainly not out, but ESPN Analytics gives the Packers a 2% chance of making the playoffs.
“We have to win all five and will certainly need some help,” Rodgers added.
Rodgers explained what would happen if and when the Packers are eliminated from playoff contention: “There are obviously a lot of other discussions that come into play once you’re eliminated, and I’ll be open to all of them. The word “pride” comes to mind. Passion for the game But, obviously, there are other things that would come into play if we were mathematically eliminated.’
Love is, of course, one of these criteria.
“Obviously, I want to be on the field,” Love added, “but the circumstance is what it is.” “The most difficult part is staying mentally prepared and locked in because you never know what can happen.”
“I simply go out there and try to make the best of the situation.” Who knows what will occur in the future? Who knows what will happen if I try my best and make the most of my opportunity?”
