Aaron Rodgers made his return from a broken collarbone against Carolina Panthers on Sunday, December 17 but could not inspire his side to victory as the Packers went down 31-24.
Having the 34-year-old back in the ranks had given everyone a shot in the arm that the Packers might be able to sneak into the play-offs. That now seems unlikely after the loss but, with the veteran in the starting line-up then there is still hope.
He had led the Packers to four victories in their opening five games before taking a hit from the Vikings’ Anthony Barr while throwing a pass, with the Green and Gold going 3-5 while he was on the sidelines.
It has been a remarkable recovery from Rodgers seeing as he had 13 screws inserted into the bone, but it may well have been a gamble to start him against the Panthers as he made some uncharacteristically bad throws in a defeat that looks like it means there will be no post-season football for the Cheeseheads.
He gave up a career-equalling three interceptions in the match, the first time that he has been picked off as many times since 2009, and clearly did not have his best stuff when it mattered most. He did manage 290 yards and three touchdowns, but it was the interceptions that proved costly.
Rodgers had already alluded to the fact that he was not coming back to “save the team” but that was how it looked at Bank of America Stadium as he tried to force the issue and was found wanting.
Brett Hundley had led the Packers to back-to-back overtime wins over Tampa Bay and Cleveland and it is open to debate as to whether Mike McCarthy should have tampered with his QB. Momentum in any sport is key and, with two narrow victories under their belts, another against the Panthers might have been all that it needed for a play-off push.
Two regular season games remain, with Rodgers set to be reacquainted with Barr as the Vikings visit Lambeau Field on December 23 while proceedings will conclude against Detroit at Ford Field on December 31.
While everyone hopes that Rodgers can pull off a miracle and take them into the play-offs, more realistically it will then be back to the drawing board to plan for the 2018 campaign.
The Californian is due to hold contract negotiations next summer when his future at the club will be decided, and it is hoped that he will see out his playing days in Packers colors.
A strong end to the season, whether it ends on New Year’s Eve or beyond, would certainly help matters and having him back at full strength in next season’s opener will be a massive fillip for both players and fans alike.
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