Pro Bears Week 9: Rodgers Leads the NFL in Passer Rating
Aaron Rodgers took advantage of an injury-riddled 49ers squad on Thursday, completing 25 of 31 passes for 305 yards and four touchdowns. Rodgers got his revenge against the team that embarassed the Packers in the NFC Championship last year, leading his team to a 34-17 victory.
Rodgers got off to a hot start, throwing for three touchdowns in the first half to take the 21-3 lead. The first TD came on the first drive, where Rodgers made his best throw of the night, heaving the ball 36 yards into the corner of the endzone where only Davante Adams could catch it.
In the second quarter, Rodgers would throw for his second touchdown, capping off a 50-yard drive with an easy 1-yard toss. He would later get his third touchdown of the day with 1:52 left in the second half, throwing a 52-yard bomb to Scantling.
In the third quarter he would find another receiver with 7:17 left to extend the lead to 28-3. The rest of the game the Packers would push a lot of run plays. Rodgers and his team are now 6-2. Through nine games, Rodgers ranks first in the NFL in passer rating (117.5) and second in interceptions among starters (2).
Marvin Jones caught his fourth touchdown of the season along with three receptions for 43 yards. Again serving as the de facto No. 1 receiver in the absence of Kenny Golladay, Jones somehow saw his third-lowest target total of the season with four. Jones has three touchdowns in the last two games and will take the No. 1 role again Sunday vs. Washington if Golladay doesn’t return. Jones is showing that he can perform when he needs to in a contract year.
Ashtyn Davis shined on Monday night against the Patriots, getting what should’ve been the first sack of his NFL career on a flagged safety blitz. Not only did Davis flatten the 6’5 QB but also shake off a big tight end to get into the pocket. Davis also earned his first career pass deflection while filling in for the Jets’s initial starter Bradley McDougald who has been ruled out for three weeks. If he doesn’t return, Davis will continue to serve as the starter at FS.
Davis had a career-high five tackles (four solo) and one pass defended In his third start of the season, proving his worth after a poor showing against the air-dominant Chiefs last week. On another impressive play he made a touchdown-saving tackle.
Keenan Allen caught nine of his eleven targets for 103 yards and a touchdown in the 31-26 loss to the Raiders. Despite dealing with an illness before the game, Allen came up with multiple big plays, including a 27-yard score to tie the game 14-14. Through nine games, Allen leads the NFL in targets per game (10.75), receptions per game (7.75), and receptions without a drop (62).
Allen is currently on track to have career-high numbers if he can pick up the pace, and is fortunate to have potentially the best looking rookie in the NFL throwing him the ball in Justin Herbert. The 28-year old is already a veteran by many standards, but the future is bright.
Cameron Jordan had a quiet Sunday night against the Buccaneers with one QB hit, no tackles, and no sacks. The 10-year pro only has 19 tackles and 2.5 sacks in eight games, but still sits as the anchor of a dominant Saints defensive line that ranks second in rush yards allowed per game. He didn’t have to do much Sunday night as the Saints kept the Bucanners off the field for the majority of the 38-3 blowout. The Saints are now 6-2 and rank first in the NFC South.