For the second time in Aaron Rodgers’ career, the road to the Super Bowl goes through Lambeau Field.
The Green Bay Packers claimed No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs after defeating the Chicago Bears on Sunday, bringing the team’s record in the regular season to 13-3. It is the second consecutive year that the Packers have recorded 13 wins in the regular season.
But even after finishing with the same record as last year, Rodgers admitted that there is something different about this year’s team. And he didn’t hide anything.
“I am very happy with the way I played and the way the team played this year,” said Rodgers after Sunday’s victory. “It may not have been the most fun, because I miss the fans, but it was the most special regular season of my career.”
After a disappointing 2019 season by his standards, Rodgers has improved in all statistical categories this season. Now in year 2 of coach Matt LaFleur’s system, Rodgers looks much more comfortable executing the attack.
The Packers signal caller broke franchise records for most touchdown passes (48) and highest completion percentage (70.7) in a single season. His 121.5 pass rating is the second highest in NFL history in a season.
“You never expect to do that,” Rodgers said of his impressive line of statistics. “There is a level of efficiency that I wanted to achieve this season and I feel that I am playing at the level I expected to play this year.”
Rodgers is expected to win his third NFL MVP award after his record-breaking season. He joined Peyton Manning as the only defender to score 45 touchdowns in several seasons.
Still, Rodgers offered high praise to those around him.
“I’ll tell you what I said to Davante (Adams) in the locker room, I said, ’13 games and a half, and you just had the best season for a Packer receiver in history. ‘ And I meant it. It thrills me. I simply have a lot of respect and appreciation for him (Adams) and for what he has achieved. It was an unbelievable year. He’s a very special player. “
Adams broke the Packers franchise records for most touchdown catches (18) and receptions (115) in a single season, passing Sterling Sharpe in both categories. As Rodgers alluded to, Adams did this in 13.5 games after taking a break at the Detroit Lions in Week 2 due to a hamstring injury. He missed the team’s next two games.
Together, Rodgers and Adams lead the NFC’s most dangerous attack, which is the only goodbye to the conference in the playoffs due to winning first place.
For the first time since 2011, the Packers have the advantage of playing at home during the postseason. Green Bay has appeared in four NFC championship games with Rodgers as a defender, but none have been at Lambeau Field.
Even in the middle of a crazy season with no fans allowed, Rodgers and the rest of the Green Bay players know they have an incredible opportunity ahead of them. And Rodgers knows that his time in the NFL is running out. At 37, time is passing to the future Hall of Fame.
So far, so good for the quarterback of the Packers franchise. In a potential legacy-setting season, Rodgers has already delivered with a campaign of the MVP caliber while leading the team to the best NFC record.
There is no doubt that he is looking forward to next month and what lies ahead for Green Bay in the playoffs. But for now, at this very moment, Rodgers is perfectly content reflecting on what has already been done.
“This is a special time. This will always be a special time for me. “