GREEN AND GOLD BOND

Rodgers-LaFleur relationship is strengthening and it’s showing

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Aaron Rodgers is one of the NFL’s top quarterbacks. But the 35-year-old two-time MVP and Super Bowl champion had to basically start from scratch in his 15th season.

Matt LaFleur brought a new offense, terminology and schemes to Green Bay. Rodgers had to learn fast.

So far, so good. LaFleur presented Rodgers with the game ball on Sunday after he threw for five touchdowns and ran for another in a 42-24 win over the Raiders.

“It feels good,” Rodgers said. “I feel like this has been coming. I really do. I feel like we’ve been building and I’ve been feeling a lot more comfortable. And Matt’s been feeling comfortable with him calling it for me and feeling when I’m in a rhythm and when to be aggressive and when to pull back.”

WHAT’S WORKING

LaFleur said Monday that he likes where he and Rodgers’ relationship is at this point.

“I just think any time as a play-caller, that relationship with the quarterback is absolutely critical,” he said. “Whether it’s here or whether it was in my past in Tennessee, wherever it’s been, I’ve always valued that relationship because you gotta be on the same page.

“The way I view the quarterback is, it’s an extension of the coaching staff. We gotta be on the same page. I think that just like any relationship, it takes time to make sure the communication is on point. I like where we’re at right now, but we gotta continue to work each and every day just like any other relationship.”

Rodgers set a single-game franchise record with a perfect 158.3 passer rating after completing 25 of 31 passes for 429 yards and no interceptions, all while his top target, Davante Adams, was sidelined with turf toe.

“I still don’t understand how they put that rating together but it does sound pretty good,” Rodgers said.

Rodgers also threw touchdown passes to two different running backs (Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams) in a game for the first time in his career. If Rodgers has finally hit his stride in LaFleur’s offense, the rest of the league is in trouble.

WHAT’S NOT WORKING

Green Bay’s leaky run defense struggled last Sunday as rookie Josh Jacobs had 124 yards, including a 42-yarder on the opening drive.

Now, Jacobs has had a successful first season. He entered Sunday with 430 yards rushing for the second most by a Raiders rookie through five games behind Bo Jackson’s 475 yards in 1987. But Green Bay is allowing 128.9 rushing yards per game, which ranks 24th in the league. The Packers allowed 155 on Sunday.

KEY NUMBER

350 — Rodgers became the ninth player in NFL history to throw 350 touchdown passes. He’s the fastest to reach the milestone (172 games), surpassing Drew Brees (180 games).

[JEFF HAYNES/THE ASSOCIATED PRESS] Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has thrust himself into the MVP conversation.

[PHOTOS BY MIKE ROEMER/THE ASSOCIATED PRESS] Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw five touchdown passes last week against Oakland.

Packers head coach Matt LaFleur has helped lead his team to a 6-1 start. Green Bay is in first place in the NFC North.