GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – DECEMBER 30: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers reacts in the first quarter against the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field on December 30, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers played miserably in the first quarter. Since then, Rodgers has discovered his old form.
Through 15 minutes, Rodgers and the Packers went backwards, 36 feet worth. Since then, things have changed.
Midway through the second quarter, Rodgers is suddenly rolling along. The future Hall of Famer found Marquez Valdes-Scantling for 47 yards after faking an end around, beating Bears cornerback Prince Amukamara. From there, Rodgers bootlegged to the left and found backup tight end Marcedes Lewis for nine yards. Then, Rodgers hit Davante Adams for another 10 yards to the Bears’ 8-yard line.
On the drive’s fourth play, Rodgers had ample time in the pocket before lofting a throw into the right side of the end zone, finding Jimmy Graham. For Green Bay, it was its first tangible success in new head coach Matt LaFleur’s diverse system.
All told, Rodgers is 10-of-13 for 105 yards, clearly out-dueling his counterpart, Mitch Trubisky.
Rodgers has dealt with tons of pressure from Chicago’s front thus far, being sacked three times as of this piece going live. The Packers watched new guard Billy Turner get torched by Khalil Mack, while fellow guard Lane Taylor was run over by a bull rush during the first drive of the NFL season.
Still, Rodgers has hung tough and has the Packers in position to take the lead into halftime. Considering how things started for the visitors, it’s a fine spot to be in.