49ers brace for looming Rodgers blitz
Green Bay likely to keep winning streak intact
NEW YORK: Aaron Rodgers will return to haunt the San Francisco 49ers today as the Green Bay Packers travel to California aiming to maintain their 100 percent record and pile on the woe for their opponents.
Rodgers has made a scintillating start to the National Football League, his latest high point coming last week with five touchdown passes in a victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.
The quarterback’s display left many of the 31-year-old’s teammates in awe, with back-up Scott Tolzein saying watching Rodgers was like watching NBA legend Michael Jordan in his prime.
“He’s at the top of his game. He makes it all go,” Tolzein said.
Rodgers appeared embarrassed by the accolades, quickly responding that he was “not worthy” comparison to Jordan.
“I’m just trying to be a guy they can count on every week,” Rodgers said.
“I know my play is very important to this team, but it takes all the guys that dress playing well for us to win,” he said.
San Francisco fans watching Rodgers at the Levi’s Stadium today will be forgiven for wondering, not for the first time, about what might have been.
The California-born Rodgers, a childhood 49ers fan, was famously snubbed by San Francisco in the 2005 NFL Draft, when the franchise opted instead for Alex Smith out of Utah.
Rodgers ended up at Green Bay, spending three seasons as understudy to Brett Favre, before establishing himself as a Super Bowl-winning quarterback.
The 49ers, meanwhile, head into the game with doubts swirling around their quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, following a wayward display in a crushing 47-7 loss to the Arizona Cardinals last week.
Kaepernick threw two interceptions that were returned for touchdowns in the first quarter of the Cardinals rout.
Two more interceptions and only nine completions in 19 attempts sealed his worst performance as an NFL quarterback.
The 27-year-old’s display led to calls for him to be benched against the Packers, forcing coach Jim Tomsula to issue a staunch defence of his player.
“I believe in Colin Kaepernick and I think he’s got the tools to be a darn good quarterback in this football league,” Tomsula said this week.
“I’ve had no thoughts of him not being our quarterback. He’s our quarterback.”
Kaepernick will take comfort from the fact that he is one of the few quarterbacks to boast a winning record against Rodgers, with three victories — including two post-season wins.
Quarterback concerns are also troubling the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC East following the injury to Tony Romo.
Romo’s deputy Brandon Weeden barely made a completion during an inept second half display in last week’s surrender to the unbeaten Atlanta Falcons as the Cowboys, who face New Orleans today, slipped to 2-1.
Saints star Drew Brees is confident he will play despite a rotator cuff injury sustained against Carolina last weekend in what is a must-win clash for both teams.
With the unbeaten New England Patriots on a bye-week, six other teams are attempting to extend their unbeaten start to the season.
Among them are the Denver Broncos and the evergreen Peyton Manning, who face an awkward clash with the resurgent Minnesota Vikings, fresh from two straight wins.
Free scoring Arizona meanwhile (3-0) will aim to cement their grip on the NFC West when they face divisional rivals the St Louis Rams.
The Cardinals have averaged more than 40 points a game so far and will be confident of another victory over a Rams side coming into the game on a two-match losing streak.
“We’re confident because we’re good, and we know it,” said Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer while simultaneously attempting to dial down the buzz surrounding his team.
“When things are going good it’s painted that things are going great, and when it’s going bad things are painted that it’s a lot worse than it is. That’s the game,” Palmer said.