Aaron Rodgers contributed to the elimination of the Packers by missing the opportunity to inspire: Instant NFL replay

by

08:11 ET

  • Ivis AburtoESPN Digital

    Close

      • Editor and NFL Columnist at ESPN Sports since 2015. • Started his career in 1996, has worked in radio and print media as an NFL reporter and editor with experience in covering several Super Bowls.

The desire to win is manifested in different ways in the NFL and beyond the strategic and execution mistakes that led to the defeat of the Green Bay Packers in another NFC Championship Game, this hunger to win did not go away. see Aaron Rodgers.

This is not to say that the Packers quarterback and strongest candidate to win the award as the Most Valuable Player in the NFL has played without motivation and desire to win, in fact, the previous days he felt excited and confident that he would take advantage of the first NFC final that had a chance to play at Lambeau Field, but in the course of the duel against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, that mood went downhill until he completely abandoned Rodgers.

The image of Rodgers sitting on the bench with his mouthpiece on and his gaze lost is a reflection of the player who missed a clear opportunity to at least prove to his team and fans that he would leave everything on the field for the opportunity. of Returning to a Super Bowl

With the Buccaneers up 31-23 with 2:15 to play in the fourth period and after leading his offense to Tampa Bay’s 8-yard line, Rodgers threw two incomplete passes and faced third and goal in obvious situation. of passage, with the defense focused on defending some sending to the end zone.

The play unfolded in such a way that the Bucs’ defense, in its attempt to pressure the Packers quarterback and cover their receivers, left a wide space on the right side of the field that Rodgers simply did not see. or ignored and preferred to throw a pass to Davante Adams in midfield in the end zone, even though the receiver was marked by two defenders.

It’s still incomprehensible how a quarterback of Rodgers ’stature and experience didn’t take advantage of an opportunity that rarely presents itself in defining moments and less so in the Playoffs.

This action, which Rodgers did not take advantage of, is reminiscent of a play in which the protagonist made it clear that he was ready to reach glory after several failed attempts to win the Super Bowl.

23 years ago, in the framework of Super Bowl XXXII between the Denver Broncos and the Packers, John Elway made it clear that after losing three games for the Vince Lombardi Trophy and other losses in the Playoffs, he was unwilling to experience a defeat again.

With the score tied 17-17 and 2:16 to play in the third quarter, the Broncos reached the 12th yard of Green Bay and faced a third-six chance. In a pass, Elway took the center, took a few steps back and did not find anyone to throw the ovoid, then saw a space on the right side of the formation.

Elway was 37, the same age as Rodgers now, and although his best days as a runner escaping the pressure were long gone, he decided to run. Three Packers defenders rushed to tackle him and colliding with him, caused Elway to spin in the air like a propeller.

When he fell to the floor, Elway had gained eight yards, but most importantly, he inspired an entire team to achieve a victory that was not easy. Elway’s action is considered one of the most important plays in the history of the Broncos.

Of this magnitude could be considered the decision, omission or lack of ability of Rodgers not to see this large space that may have changed the course of its own history and that of the Packers in the current campaign.

After a committed engagement to Adams, Packers coach Matt Lafleur decided to go for the field goal that only served to get five points closer to the Buccaneers, because Tom Brady did not lend the ball back to Rodgers.

Maybe Rodgers wouldn’t have made it to the end zone. Eight yards doesn’t seem like much, but in the NFL, it’s a world away, but he could have come very close to the diagonals and so would have convinced Lafleur to play fourth in a simpler situation, with an inspired and determined team at win to take their leader back to the Super Bowl after a 10-year absence and nine playoff eliminations, three of them in the NFC Finals.

Rodgers is not a player who properly assimilates defeats. His resemblance in the second finals of the duel to Tampa Bay, his cold greeting after the game with Tom Brady and his statements after the duel prove it and on other occasions he has shown the same attitude.

Rodgers simply missed the opportunity to prove that he would do whatever it took to play a Super Bowl again. The reality is that he was also responsible for the Packers dying at the end of nothing against the Buccaneers.

.Source