Green Bay Packers Meeting Super Expectations behind Super Quarterback
There have been many surprises in the first five weeks of the NFL regular season – from the combined 3-12 record among the New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles and Indianapolis Colts to the combined 13-2 record among the Detroit Lions, Buffalo Bills and San Francisco 49ers.
Despite the many thrills and shrills, there is one 5-0 team that hasn’t garnered much attention: the defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers.
The defending champs – like the aforementioned Jets and Eagles – entered the 2011 campaign with super expectations. But unlike the Jets and Eagles, the Packers are playing nothing short of championship caliber. And their exceptional play is shown brightest through their superstar quarterback, Aaron Rodgers. 
Entering this season, the 27-year-old Rodgers had amassed over 12,200 passing yards, 86 touchdowns, and a 99.4 quarterback rating as a starter in the regular season. Couple those numbers with his 1,094 passing yards, 9 touchdowns, and a 109.8 rating during last season’s championship playoff run, and the Packer quarterback is on pace for Canton, Ohio – home of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Somehow, though, Rodgers continues to elevate his game. In wins over New Orleans, Carolina, Chicago, Denver and Atlanta to begin the season, Rodgers has thrown for an astonishing 1,721 yards, 14 touchdowns, only two interceptions, and a 122.9 quarterback rating.
Today’s NFL spoils fans with pass-happy offenses, making it hard for the average spectator to discern a clear difference among the point-accumulating fantasy football quarterbacks. However, Rodgers made a clear distinction last Sunday night in Atlanta against Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan – a player many have compared to Peyton Manning.
With the Packers in a 14-0 hole, Rodgers propelled his team to 25 unanswered points to finish the game, where he outgunned Ryan by nearly 230 yards while throwing one more touchdown and two fewer interceptions.
Despite his all-world play, Rodgers would be the first to recognize his superb supporting cast, including wide receivers James Jones, Greg Jennings and Donald Driver; running backs James Starks and Ryan Grant; and a defense that ranks third overall against the run.
From Rodgers to the last substitute on special teams, the Packers are continuing to play with that unique, special Super Bowl hunger.
Keeping a team intact amid the offseason free agency period is one challenge; maintaining unwavering Super Bowl determination from top to bottom is just as difficult. The Packers have this quality that exists only in great teams and potential dynasties. To put it into perspective: the Broncos and the Patriots are the only franchises to win back-to-back Super Bowls in the last 18 years. And it’s no coincidence that those two teams had and have Hall of Famer quarterbacks in John Elway and Tom Brady.
The Packers might their own in Rodgers. Then, again, his and his team’s super play is becoming an expectation.
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He's developed into one of the league's best, and he's fun to watch. With all the teams doing unexpectedly well, and unexpectedly poor, the Packers are consistent. They seem to be picking up right where they left off last season.
Indy sure got dealt a blow with their QB's injuries, Peyton Manning. :-( Greenbay looks great!
He is a great QB and really a great person as well. This is the way a quarterback was meant to transition into the league. Learn from a great one, wait, practice, and finally play at a high level. It's too bad some rookies get thrown in there too early but I guess it works for them sometimes. Barring injuries, the Packers have a dynasty on their hands.