Aaron Rodgers returns to the location of his first playoff recreation as Packers beginning quarterback on Sunday towards the Cardinals. It was one wild wild-card recreation at what’s now known as State Farm Stadium, when Rodgers ended up on the quick finish of a playoff shoot-out for the ages towards Kurt Warner.
The date was Jan. 10, 2010, 5 weeks after Rodgers had turned 26, and he recollects nearly all the pieces about that crushing, 51-45 time beyond regulation defeat.
“I threw a choose on the primary play, after which we fumbled on just like the second or third play, after which we have been sort of lights out after that,” Rodgers informed The Put up.
“Sadly, a few of my reminiscences are actual unfavourable, like how Kurt Warner had 5 touchdowns passing and 4 incompletions.
“Or how we went to time beyond regulation and we known as my favourite play, possibly of all time, and I threw it means too flat and never excessive sufficient for Greg Jennings. It might have been a walk-off landing.
“Or that I fumbled to let it return for a landing, lose the sport 51-45.”
Rodgers (423 yards, 4 TDs) was stripped by Michael Adams, and Karlos Dansby returned the fumble off Rodgers’ foot 17 yards to win it.
“I bear in mind it was an amazing environment,” Rodgers mentioned. “However I threw throughout my physique on the primary play of the sport for a choose, and after that I settled in and performed fairly rattling good.”
It was Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie who intercepted a move quick proper meant for Jordy Nelson.
“A enjoyable recreation all the time you’re proud to play in, simply disenchanted I threw a choose on the primary play and missed Greg in time beyond regulation,” Rodgers mentioned. “We felt good concerning the crew that we had. Our protection was coming alongside within the first season beneath Dom Capers. We had two first-round picks, B.J. Raji and Clay Matthews, who have been enjoying rather well. We couldn’t cease ’em, after which we turned the ball over twice, and that got here again to get us.”
Rodgers additionally misplaced a playoff time beyond regulation battle at Arizona following the 2015 season. That recreation is legendary for Rodgers principally finishing two Hail Marys to tie the sport — one to get to round midfield then one other on the ultimate play to Jeff Janis for 41 yards to tie. Although Larry Fitzgerald had a 75-yard catch-and-run, then two performs later a 5-yard landing to finish it rapidly in OT, 26-20.
Rodgers has received at Arizona within the common season — simply in 2010, 33-7 — although he additionally misplaced in 2015, 38-8. He was victorious in his most up-to-date journey — 24-21 in 2021, when Rasul Douglas intercepted Kyler Murray in the long run zone with 12 seconds left.
“It’s the all-time meme for me, I can’t shake it,” Rodgers mentioned. “I threw a landing to [Randall Cobb], my facemask was up right here, my chinstrap was right here. It’s the No. 1 searched-for meme of all time for me.”
Now Rodgers tries to get the Jets to 4-6 following their 21-13 win over the Texans.
“We simply gotta construct off the momentum,” he mentioned. “If you wish to be an amazing crew, you gotta apply like an amazing crew, and I believe the previous couple of weeks, we’ve practiced lots higher.
“However there’s nonetheless a normal that we simply want to return up an additional notch, and after we do this, which I’m assured we’ll, then the consistency I believe reveals up on recreation day.
“However you don’t simply roll off the bed — that’s a misnomer — you simply don’t roll off the bed and play freaking nice. You’ve gotta apply the appropriate means.”
The additional relaxation following the Thursday night time recreation has rejuvenated his 40-year-old physique. “Really feel like a jackrabbit, man,” he joked. “I received all this vitality.”
It wasn’t the perfect apply Wednesday, with guards Alijah Vera-Tucker and John Simpson idled.
“I need extra reps,” Rodgers mentioned. “However I perceive that is the way in which it’s. We gotta benefit from the walk-through reps, so problem ’em each single play with alerts, with changes, with little reminders and get these guys stimulated in order that they’re dialed in on these walk-through reps, no throwaway reps.”
He was inspired by how he performed within the second half towards the Texans and the drastic discount in missed assignments.
“In all probability the perfect I’ve performed,” Rodgers mentioned. “Clearly couldn’t go anyplace however up within the second half.”
Rodgers is aware of it’s go time.
“I believe there was a weight lifted off, however there’s a baseline degree of sort of vitality and enthusiasm that we sort of held ourselves to in coaching camp, and we haven’t essentially been there the complete time,” he mentioned. “So we gotta discover a option to carry it each single day. The important thing for younger gamers to study is that consistency begins with the minute that you just stroll into the constructing, and all the pieces you do must be intentional, and that begins with the dialog you’re having, the time you get to work, the way in which you’re taking notes. We’re beginning to do among the proper issues, however we’re a piece in progress nonetheless.”
Razing Arizona for Aaron Rodgers.
