The Packers spent some time adding a receiver to the NFL trade date, but maybe they should have looked for a new quarterback.
In what is likely one of the worst games of his career, Aaron Rodgers suffered a three-interception meltdown during Green Bay’s stunning 15-9 loss to the Lions on Sunday. It wasn’t exactly shocking that the Packers lost, but it was shocking how they lost: They just couldn’t score while going up against one of the NFL’s worst defenses.
By Week 9, the Lions had dropped an average of 32.1 points per game, the league’s worst at more than five points. If the Packers wanted to solve their offensive problems against anyone, the Lions seemed like a good candidate. That didn’t happen, however, and it didn’t happen because Rodgers made several mistakes that were completely out of character for him.
Rodgers threw two of his three interceptions into the red zone, marking the first time in his career that he threw multiple red zone picks in the same game. Two were intercepted in the end zone, both clearly at Rodgers’ fault. On the first, coming off Detroit’s 5-yard line on a first-and-goal, Rodgers threw the ball low and it bounced off a defender’s helmet before being picked up by Kerby Joseph.
The next Red Zone pick came on the next possession. On a fourth strike from Detroit’s 1, the Packers had a perfect game: offensive lineman David Bakhtiari was eligible to catch a pass and he was wide open, but Rodgers subdued him and Aidan Hutchinson had the pick to come up with.
That’s usually a throw Rodgers can make in his sleep, but the 2022 version of Rodgers just wasn’t as accurate.
Rodgers then scored the interception hat-trick when he threw his third pick of the day on a second-down play in the third quarter.
There were also a few other throws where it looked like the Packers could make a big play, but Rodgers just wasn’t betting on it enough.
Rodgers threw for 291 yards and a touchdown, but he made too many errors, which he almost never does against division rivals. That game marked the first time he threw multiple interceptions against a division opponent since 2013.
At 3-6, the Packers’ season isn’t over yet, but it’s hard to see them recovering with the way they’re playing offense. They’ve now lost five games in a row and their season seems to be spiraling out of control.
Okay, let’s get to the grades for each week 9 game. If you’re looking for an in-depth look at the Eagles’ win over the Texans on Thursday, be sure to click here.
Detroit 15-9 over Green Bay
Packers at Lions grades by John Breech (Love the sheet music? Hate the sheet music? Let him know on Twitter.)
LA Chargers 20-17 over Atlanta
Chargers at Falcons grades by John Breech (Love the sheet music? Hate the sheet music? Let him know on Twitter.)
Jacksonville 27-20 over Las Vegas
Raiders at Jaguars grades by John Breech (Love the sheet music? Hate the sheet music? Let him know on Twitter.)
Cincinnati 42-21 over Carolina
Panthers at Bengals grades by John Breech (Love the sheet music? Hate the sheet music? Let him know on Twitter.)
NY Jets 20-17 over Buffalo
Bills Jets sheet music by Bryan DeArdo (Love the sheet music? Hate the sheet music? Let him know on Twitter.)
New England 26-3 over Indianapolis
Colts Patriots Sheet Music by John Breech (Love the Sheet Music? Hate the Sheet Music? Let him know on Twitter.)
Minnesota 20-17 over Washington
Vikings-Commanders Sheet Music by Jordan Dajani (Love the sheet music? Hate the sheet music? Let him know on Twitter.)
Miami 35-32 over Chicago
Dolphin Bear Sheet Music by Garrett Podell (Love the sheet music? Hate the sheet music? Let him know on Twitter.)
Tampa Bay 16-13 over LA Rams
Rams Buccaneers Sheet Music by Cody Benjamin (Love the Sheet Music? Hate the Sheet Music? Let him know on Twitter.)
Seattle 31-21 over Arizona
Seahawks Sheet Music by Jeff Kerr (Love the Sheet Music? Hate the Sheet Music? Let him know on Twitter.)