Ranking all 13 touchdown passes by Packers’ Rodgers so far in 2020
Aaron Rodgers is balling.
You could credit the fact that he’s fully healthy. Or maybe it’s because he’s in the second year of Matt LaFleur’s offense. Or, sure, it could be purely out of spite after Green Bay drafted Jordan Love in the first round.
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No matter the reasoning, no one can debate Rodgers is an early candidate to win the 2020 NFL MVP.
Four weeks into the season, Rodgers has thrown for 1,214 yards and 13 touchdowns with no interceptions. The touchdowns and 128.4 passer rating are his best marks through four games over his 16-year career. Rodgers threw for more yards in that span just once – 1,325 yards through four contests in 2011, his first MVP campaign.
“I sometimes laugh when people talk about down years for me,” Rodgers said on Pat McAfee’s podcast on Tuesday. “Because a lot of times, down years for me are career years for most quarterbacks.”
That’s the energy we love from No. 12.
As the Packers’ starting quarterback rests this weekend and enjoys an odd bye week, we decided to rank his 13 touchdown passes so far this season, from easiest to most impressive. (Although, we love all of them equally.)
Enjoy.
13: WHO’S GOT JONES?
TOUCHDOWN MACHINE. ?#GoPackGo
(via @packers)pic.twitter.com/Py6OwzM7J3
— FOX Sports Wisconsin (@fswisconsin) October 6, 2020
Running back Aaron Jones led the NFL with 19 total touchdowns last year. It might be a good idea to place a defender within 15 yards of Jones in the red zone. Maybe.
12: SHOWTYME AT LAMBEAU
.@Showtyme_33 with the TOUCHDOWN & the first Lambeau Leap of the season!#DETvsGB | #GoPackGo
? FOX
? https://t.co/2UxGSiVlvn pic.twitter.com/GyWETfGwp3— Green Bay Packers (@packers) September 20, 2020
The Motor City Kitties didn’t want to cover Jones either, apparently. A quick flick of the wrist by Rodgers results in six easy points — and a very 2020 Lambeau Leap.
11: GEAUX PACK GEAUX
Up by 10 with 2 mins to go ?
Via: @NFL
— FOX Sports Wisconsin (@fswisconsin) September 28, 2020
Looking back at this play, do you think New Orleans was expecting Green Bay to run the ball here? We don’t know — it’s hard to tell. Wink. Rodgers takes advantage, per usual.
10: DON’T BLINK
That’s ✌️ TDs for @tae15adams!#GBvsMIN | #GoPackGo
? FOX
? https://t.co/2UxGSiVlvn pic.twitter.com/AoR72SnClo— Green Bay Packers (@packers) September 13, 2020
A quick-hitter. Throwing one-yard touchdown passes against the Vikings inexperienced (and frankly, bad) cornerbacks seems a bit cruel.
9: DOWN GOES TONYAN!
BIG GAME BOBBY. ?
That’s three touchdowns for @RobTonJr!!
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/AAcP6b0afF
— FOX Sports Wisconsin (@fswisconsin) October 6, 2020
If Tonyan looks wide open here, he is — but it’s because he tumbled into a somersault like he’s Simone Biles completing a floor routine at the Olympics. It’s not easy to keep an eye on receivers who look like they’re burrowing into the grass at Lambeau Field.
8: STOP US IF YOU’D HEARD THIS BEFORE – TOUCHDOWN, TONYAN.
Rodgers ➡️ Tonyan
(the remix)
via @NFLpic.twitter.com/wfndqA8dUs
— FOX Sports Wisconsin (@fswisconsin) October 6, 2020
Just a good ole fashioned pick-on-the-linebacker-in-single-coverage toss right here.
7: DOING THE DIRTY BIRDS DIRTY
TOUCHDOWN TONYAN! ?#GoPackGo
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/pggoEwe86c
— FOX Sports Wisconsin (@fswisconsin) October 6, 2020
Kids, this is what we like to call finding a soft spot in the secondary.
6: THE FADEAWAY
???
Via: @packers
— FOX Sports Wisconsin (@fswisconsin) September 28, 2020
Trying to throw a leather ball with a 248-pound linebacker in your face does not seem fun, but Rodgers makes it look easy, at least. Is that Dirk Nowitzki shooting a fadeaway jumper or Rodgers tossing another TD?
5: SOMEONE GIVE TONYAN SOME ICE
Rodgers always makes it look easy ?
(via: @NFL)
— FOX Sports Wisconsin (@fswisconsin) September 20, 2020
Bringing the heat. Zipping it in there. Putting some extra mustard on it. No matter how you say it, we’d like to get a radar gun out there for this slingshot of a pass.
4: THREADING THE NEEDLE
.@AaronRodgers12 finds @AllenLazard for his 4️⃣th TD pass today!#GBvsMIN | #GoPackGo
? FOX
? https://t.co/2UxGSiVlvn pic.twitter.com/qqJ6ztnYH2— Green Bay Packers (@packers) September 13, 2020
There is no way this should’ve been six points. Allen Lazard is not open on this play. And yet, Rodgers throws it with a sidearm motion around the bull-rushing Jalyn Holmes and delivers a strike where only Lazard could catch it. Move over, Patrick Mahomes!
3: MARCEDES BENZ
Go UP for it big man!!@MarcedesLewis89 and @AaronRodgers12 making plays ?
Via: @NFL
— FOX Sports Wisconsin (@fswisconsin) September 28, 2020
It’s mind-boggling how casually Rodgers can throw the ball and have it still drop right in the hands of Marcedes Lewis. Lewis definitely didn’t stick the landing, but it doesn’t take away from a beauty of a pass.
2: CHUCK THAT PIGSKIN
.@AaronRodgers12 going DEEP to @MVS__11 for the TOUCHDOWN!#GBvsMIN | #GoPackGo
? FOX
? https://t.co/2UxGSiVlvn pic.twitter.com/XvrNUQyJaz— Green Bay Packers (@packers) September 13, 2020
Sometimes it’s just fun to watch No. 12 air it out. Rodgers has thrown five passes for 40+ yards this season, but this is the only one that went for six points.
1: WE’RE NOT WORTHY!
Vintage. Beautiful. Executed to perfection. #GoPackGo
(Via @NFL) pic.twitter.com/rrvZiiRgrA
— FOX Sports Wisconsin (@fswisconsin) September 13, 2020
Everyone says Rodgers is elite at extending plays. This is what they mean. The two closest defenders to this absolute laser from Rodgers? Harrison Smith, a five-time Pro Bowl safety and Anthony Harris, who led the NFL in interceptions last year. Never a doubt.
