It’s no secret that Aaron Rodgers is one of the best QBs to ever play the game of football. His uncanny accuracy, poise and ability to avoid mistakes while taking risks are second-to-none. Not to mention his elite arm strength. But if there’s one blemish on his career, it’s his playoff failures, particularly against the conference-rival 49ers.
"He wants to make sure whenever his career ends, that he's able to circle this game and say that we took care of business."
Aaron Rodgers is 0-3 against the Niners in the playoffs but @IamSTANBACK is expecting big things from the expected MVP on Saturday. pic.twitter.com/kKO8Ly9B2q
— Locked On Podcast Network (@LockedOnNetwork) January 21, 2022
Rodgers is (0-3) against the 49ers in the postseason, including a 2019-20 NFC championship game blowout (37-20) loss, which was never in doubt. He’s thrown just five TDs and three interceptions in those three huge losses under the pressure of the playoffs.
He’s passed for an average of just 253.3 yards in those games and his passer rating is 95.8. Typically, Rodgers has completed a high percentage of his passes (71.2 percent), but he will need to be more impactful on Sunday. The regular-season Rodgers, who is 6-0 against San Francisco, must show up.
THE 49ERS ARE NFC CHAMPIONS ‼️ pic.twitter.com/rqTUfrVnVM
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) January 20, 2020
Rodgers Hasn’t Been His Best Against The Niners In The Postseason:
Rodgers is looking to lead the Packers to its sixth NFC title game during his tenure as the starting QB. The team hasn’t fared too well in the previous five, going 1-4 with four straight title game losses to the Seahawks, Falcons, Niners and Buccaneers.
https://twitter.com/packers/status/1483484328445288448?s=20
Heading into Saturday’s matchup at frigid Lambeau Field, the Packers are the more talented and healthier team, but don’t tell that to head coach Matt LaFleur. LaFleur is in his third season with the Cheese Heads, and he’s just one game away from his third NFC title game appearance.
LaFleur expressed a deep respect for the Niners in his postgame presser.
“If you look at them as of late, this is a confident group,” LaFleur told reporters. “You can see it on tape. You can see it in how they’ve played. We’re going to have to play every play like it’s our last for the duration of the game.”
Welcome to Green Bay, Coach!
Photos from Matt LaFleur's introductory press conference 📸: https://t.co/T8sGRWZf0Q #GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/jHmGDMpUKi
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) January 10, 2019
Rodgers’ Future In Green Bay Uncertain: Could Be Last Chance At Elusive Second Super Bowl With Packers
Rodgers has been unbelievable during his tenure in Green Bay, but he’s only captured one Super Bowl win during that time. The pressure to secure a second Lombardi Trophy is about as high as it’s ever been. After last season’s title game loss to the Buccaneers, questions lingered about ARod’s future in GB.
He returned with the belief that this could be his final run in the mustard and green. The favorite to win his second consecutive NFL MVP, Rodgers sounded like someone who knows how big this moment is, but he’s being that same cool customer.
“This is a special opportunity. We’re not gonna make it bigger than it really is. We’ve gotten this far being level-headed and even-keeled and not riding a roller coaster of emotions, and we’re gonna keep on doing the same thing. If it was good enough to get us this far, it’s good enough to get us past this point.”
The future is still uncertain in Green Bay. Rodgers has been very vocal about everything from vaccinations to calling out media members to creating a narrative that he was somehow the victim in all of this.
He’s used all of the turmoil to sell this us-against-the-world scenario, which if it works is genius.
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