Putting Aaron Rodgers’ Performance Against the Falcons In Historical Context
Aaron Rodgers was absolutely fantastic on Saturday night against Atlanta. It seemed like it was just too easy, as he was playing pitch and catch with receivers who were running free. It seemed that way, but that’s because Rodgers did a great job of feeling pressure and moving within the pocket or outside of it, and throwing accurately on the move.
It’s pretty hard to say that it was one of the best playoff performances ever, though. There are so many candidates, and the Falcons weren’t exactly a dominant defense coming into this game. It’s also difficult to compare stylistically across eras. How do you compare Bradshaw’s 14 for 18 for 276 yards against the Colts in 1976, when pass defenses were allowed to do so much more, and rushing was more prominent, to a performance today? If you want to get a decent look at the candidates for best games, you can start with this list.
By passer rating, Rodgers’ game (31-36, 366 yards, three TDs) was 32nd best in the playoffs for passers with a minimum 15 passes. If you go by adjusted yards per attempt, it ranks 49th.
Now, if you look at all three of his starts, he’s off to an incredible start, and all the talk of him not being able to win big games seems incredibly silly. He’s had a passer rating over 120.0 in all three playoff starts in his career. Passer rating is subject to era bias, as completion percentages have been climbing steadily and interceptions have been dropping over time, but it’s still impressive. The only guys with more games in the playoffs with a 120.0+ rating: Joe Montana(5), Troy Aikman(4), and Peyton Manning(4).
[photo via Getty]

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52 Responses to “Putting Aaron Rodgers’ Performance Against the Falcons In Historical Context”
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January 20th, 2011 at 4:03 PM
That Peyton Manning thing must be a typo because he is awful in the playoffs. Seriously though, Rodgers was incredible the other night, and Mike Shanahan is still having nightmares about those two playoff games in the RCA dome.
January 20th, 2011 at 4:07 PM
That Lamonica line is just absurd
Almost considered breaking my years long drought of listening to Cowherd to hear if he recanted at all but decided it wasn’t worth the time…haters gonna hate
January 20th, 2011 at 4:07 PM
that was quite the napalming.
January 20th, 2011 at 4:08 PM
+1. RIP Banders.
Some epic beatdowns. Not as good as the Jags ending Dan Marino, but still enjoyable.
January 20th, 2011 at 4:08 PM
It’s not on the overall game level as the others, but Drew Brees’ final drive in Super Bowl XLIV was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. Game-winning drive, 7-of-7, 7 different receivers, 2-point conversion to the 8th.
/unapologetically biased
January 20th, 2011 at 4:08 PM
mad bomber.
January 20th, 2011 at 4:09 PM
Lamonica’s nickname is tough to beat, although Lester the molester is pretty good.
I think the score at halftime of that first Colts-Broncos game was 38-3 no?
January 20th, 2011 at 4:10 PM
Some epic beatdowns. Not as good as the Jags ending Dan Marino, but still enjoyable.
/cackles manically
January 20th, 2011 at 4:12 PM
Off by a touchdown…Brandon Stokley having 144 receiving yards in a playoff game is also an amazement
January 20th, 2011 at 4:12 PM
/maniacally
//son of a bitch
January 20th, 2011 at 4:14 PM
He was a man on fire against Atlanta. I wasn’t even mad about the loss, to be honest. He was just a badass. Had to tip my hat to him.
January 20th, 2011 at 4:15 PM
Had to give this one the caption treatment.
January 20th, 2011 at 4:16 PM
List of guys who also wear a pussy looking turtleneck under their jersey: Aaron Rodgers.
January 20th, 2011 at 4:16 PM
“You ate an entire wheel of cheese and pooped in the refrigerator?”
January 20th, 2011 at 4:17 PM
Way to tie in Goldberg to Atlanta. Did you ever see his hair as a player?
January 20th, 2011 at 4:17 PM
Vindication. His Clutch rating was also near 0, although he did well in the Moxi and Eyeball categories.
/Cowherd
January 20th, 2011 at 4:17 PM
Great post, Lisk.
January 20th, 2011 at 4:19 PM
Now, let’s see if he can win the big game when it’s close
January 20th, 2011 at 4:19 PM
Yes, they said it would take him hours to shave his body. Never seen that pic. Awesome.
January 20th, 2011 at 4:21 PM
Hernia, have you seen the gruesome visage of Chris Kaman on the Clippers bench? He’s grown an ice beard and is noticeably balding. It’s the scariest shit I’ve ever seen. I feel like you, of all people, should be aware of this
January 20th, 2011 at 4:22 PM
I totally forgot Soundgarden had a song called “Ty Cobb” with a chorus of “hardheaded, fuck you all”.
/finally ripping his old CD collection
January 20th, 2011 at 4:27 PM
Wow, I was not aware. I will absolutely be on the lookout now though, thanks.
January 20th, 2011 at 4:28 PM
Peyton with 2 of the top 10 playoff performances of all time. GOAT!
/Statistics don’t lie.
January 20th, 2011 at 4:28 PM
I barely even remember the Bears throwing a pass in SB XX, let alone McMahon destroying the Patriots. Yet, there he is at #36, just 2 places behind Jim Kelly in a game that I would have guessed would be a top 10 performance
January 20th, 2011 at 4:29 PM
That Lamonica line is just absurd
mad bomber.
Traded from the Bills to the Raiders for Tom Flores & his 4 boxes of Brillo hair
January 20th, 2011 at 4:29 PM
This seems sort of relevant to all Montana vs Brady discussions.
January 20th, 2011 at 4:30 PM
What about Steve Young’s game against the Chargers, or does this not include Super Bowls?
January 20th, 2011 at 4:33 PM
No one blows out crappy Denver teams in the first round like Peyton.
January 20th, 2011 at 4:33 PM
And yet, Walter Payton never recorded a TD in that game or playoff run. RIP Sweetness.
January 20th, 2011 at 4:33 PM
And I quoted the wrong thing.
January 20th, 2011 at 4:34 PM
Mike Ditka’s a piece of shit
January 20th, 2011 at 4:36 PM
Fridge – 1
Sweetness – 0
January 20th, 2011 at 4:36 PM
Greatest regular season game ever
/imo
January 20th, 2011 at 4:37 PM
jpq…that boxscore can’t be for real.
January 20th, 2011 at 4:38 PM
Because Odessa Turner sounds like a name Madden would create for a draft?
January 20th, 2011 at 4:44 PM
That looks like a dandy JPQ
January 20th, 2011 at 4:45 PM
jpq…that boxscore can’t be for real.
trust me, I remember watching that game on TV, & it was madden before Madden
there are about 3-4 long youtube clips of the game. I’ve watched them, being a fan, but, even if not, worth blowing through one. Those two offenses were poetry
January 20th, 2011 at 4:45 PM
Been away for most of the week, so does anyone know how Cowherd addressed the big, cheese-headed elephant in his studio this week?
January 20th, 2011 at 4:45 PM
Greatest regular season game ever
/imo
Amp Lee?! How could I forget about Amp Lee?
January 20th, 2011 at 4:46 PM
Don’t know why, but I enjoy this…http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eX45Ce_MW8&feature=feedu
January 20th, 2011 at 4:47 PM
I just read the Melo to Chicago article TBL linked below the Aaron Rodgers piece.
It sucks. I’m not familiar with the writer but he seems like a total asshat.
January 20th, 2011 at 4:48 PM
ha. Just checked youtube. There are TWELVE clips of the game (the whole game, cut up). Watched 1st play from scrimmage. Young to Rice for 14 yds & he’s almost cut in half as he’s tackled. Jogs back to huddle like nothing.
/awesome
January 20th, 2011 at 4:51 PM
Guess who just got a free ticket to the Bears/Packers game, bitches?!
January 20th, 2011 at 4:55 PM
Guess who just got a free ticket to the Bears/Packers game, bitches?!
So this is you??
January 20th, 2011 at 4:57 PM
You have no idea what box you just opened, JPQ. I’m fucking running as FAST as I can.
January 20th, 2011 at 5:13 PM
No, I’m not a fucking whore who has to auction myself off to get tickets to things. I instead get free ones from my friends because I’m not a fucking loser.
January 20th, 2011 at 5:18 PM
Close the box! Slam the lid!!!!
January 20th, 2011 at 5:24 PM
Not surprised someone bailed out on the game, it’s a much better idea to watch your team lose inside in HD where it’s warm and there’s cheaper alcohol.
January 20th, 2011 at 5:29 PM
Close the box! Slam the lid!!!!
No, I’m not a fucking whore who has to auction myself off to get tickets to things. I instead get free ones from my friends because I’m not a fucking loser.
SHE GOT IN!!! I THINK SHE LEFT!!! GET THE HOUDINI PROOF CHAINS & PADLOCKS!!!!
January 20th, 2011 at 5:39 PM
Wait, isn’t that story from the Bears-Colts SB?
January 20th, 2011 at 5:41 PM
Does anyone know where I can buy some poison?
January 20th, 2011 at 8:15 PM
Seriously, is there anything better than an NFL game with ZERO punts? I’ve watched those clips numerous times. Pete Metzelaars destroyed the San Fran secondary. People forget the Bills were 14-2 vs. the NFC in the regular season during the 4 Super Bowl years, and the only 2 losses were a couple Week 17 games vs. Washington and Detroit where the stars sat out. Just couldnt get it done in the big game.
/cries into pillow