The Packers are in Carolina this week, facing a Panthers defense ranked 4th against the run and 6th against the pass. Does this mean that Aaron Rodgers, in his return from a collarbone injury, should be avoided? Not necessarily.
Carolina has allowed 20 TD passes, which is an average to slightly below average number; only 12 teams have allowed more. And Carolina's ranking is helped considerably by the plethora of lousy or struggling quarterbacks its faced along the way (the Hoyers, Taylors and Trubiskys of the world).
The Panthers have played eight games against good quarterbacks, guys more comparable to Rodgers. (Making the arguable call of including McCown and Keenum; they've played well for most of those season.) Those guys have generally been fine.
GOOD QUARTERBACKS VERSUS CAROLINA | ||
---|---|---|
Player | Yds | TD |
Brees, N.O. | 220 | 3 |
Brady, N.E. | 307 | 2 |
Stafford, Det. | 229 | 2 |
Wentz, Phil. | 222 | 3 |
Ryan, Atl. | 313 | 2 |
McCown, NYJ | 307 | 3 |
Brees, N.O. | 269 | 1 |
Keenum, Minn | 280 | 2 |
Average | 268 | 2.25 |
If Rodgers can deliver something close to what those better quarterbacks have averaged against Carolina this season, he'll be fine.
--Andy Richardson