It was the most perfect start of Aaron Rodgers’ career. Missing Davante Adams (toe) for the third straight game, Rodgers became the first quarterback since 1991 to throw for five touchdowns while adding another on the ground, turning in a 158.3 QB rating in the process. Quietly heating up in recent weeks, Rodgers’ explosion was his first three-score effort of the season. He just happened to double it.
The Raiders, of course, were a soft matchup, but Rodgers was playing with his second-team supporting cast. In addition to Adams being on the shelf, Marquez Valdes-Scantling was healthy enough for only 20 snaps. Geronimo Allison, 32. It was Allen Lazard (49) and Jake Kumerow (41) who paced the Packers’ receiver corps in plays as Rodgers threw for the fourth most yards of his career (429) and posted “just” his fifth five-score passing performance.
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Rodgers did a little bit of everything, threading a beautiful back-shoulder pass to Aaron Jones in the end zone, putting Kumerow on the tightrope for a 37-yard score and sucking the safety in on Valdes-Scantling’s 74-yard TD rumble in the fourth. It was MVS who deserved the bulk of the credit for his monster YAC-a-thon, but Rodgers was doing all the little things right against the Raiders, and it finally led to his overdue big day under new coach Matt LaFleur.
Despite some early-season chatter, Rodgers is still every bit Aaron Rodgers. Another day or two like Sunday and he will retake his customary place in the MVP race. He has the schedule to get scorching, with Green Bay venturing to Kansas City for Week 8 before paying a visit to Los Angeles to pack the Chargers’ soccer stadium with Packers fans. Most importantly, Adams should finally be nearing a return. Sparking his ancillary cast during Adams’ absence should be an achievement with lasting 2019 consequences for Rodgers. Enjoy your QB1.
Five Week 7 Storylines
Matt Ryan injures ankle as Falcons bottom out. Gunning for his seventh straight 300-yard day, Ryan instead collapsed through the crust of the earth, generating just 159 yards and zero scores through three-plus quarters of work. When Aaron Donald — who else? — twisted up his leg in the fourth frame, Ryan had a difficult time making it to the locker room, though he did do so under his own power. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported later Sunday that the Falcons are optimistic their quarterback has avoided serious injury, but a Monday MRI will tell the tale. Even if that test brings back its expected good news, Ryan could be a long shot for Week 8. The 1-6 Falcons are hosting the Seahawks before heading on bye. Unless Ryan is dead set on keeping his games played streak alive — currently 153 — resting him ahead of the open date makes a lot of sense. Matt Schaub would be a terrifying proposition for Julio Jones and company in fantasy.
Lamar Jackson launches himself further into the stratosphere. Playing in rain-soaked Seattle, Jackson was missing his top vertical threat in Marquise Brown (ankle). No. 2 Mark Andrews was active, but he dropped more passes (three) than he caught (two). Jackson took matters into his own hands, emerging with 14/116/1 as a rusher, giving him back-to-back 100-yard efforts. That joins him with 2018 Josh Allen — really — as only the second quarterback to post consecutive 100-yard days on the ground in the post-merger era. Jackson’s 576 rushing yards are fifth in the league, as well as the most ever — by 72 — for a quarterback through the first seven games. Doing things we’ve never seen before, Jackson is also bringing some oldies back, like his single wing formation score in Seattle. Headed on bye, Jackson will return to the toughest test of his young career: vs. New England.
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Kerryon Johnson suffers knee injury for second time in as many years. Johnson made it only 11 snaps before departing vs. the Vikings. When he returned to the sideline, it was with a brace on his balky knee. It has Johnson looking doubtful for Week 8 against the Giants, as well as maybe lending credence to the Lions’ fixation on limiting his snaps. That is something they had been failing at recently, with the sophomore piling up both plays and touches. Now his leash might not be so long once he returns. If Johnson is out for Week 8, Ty Johnson will be a plug-and-play RB2 for a plus matchup. J.D. McKissic will have some FLEX appeal as a change-of-pace pass catcher who was already involved in the offense.
Will Fuller departs minutes into game in Indianapolis. In a cruel parody of himself, Fuller made it three snaps before his day was through. Three was how many touchdowns he scored in Week 5 and how many he dropped in Week 6. That means we’ve been treated to the “Full Fuller” over the Texans’ past three games. No one’s idea of a fast healer, Fuller will almost certainly miss his golden Week 8 date with the Raiders. Just back from a hamstring issue of his own, Kenny Stills was Fuller’s 1-for-1 replacement in Indy, corralling 4-of-5 targets for 105 yards. Stills will have WR3 appeal if Fuller does indeed miss time. Keke Coutee, who generated Deshaun Watson’s game-ending “interception” on Sunday, will be a low-ceiling WR4.
Melvin Gordon’s return continues to not go according to plan. Stoned for 32 yards on 16 carries, Gordon wasn’t content with merely having a bad day on the ground. It needed to be a game-coster. That’s what Gordon did with seven seconds remaining, fumbling away the Chargers’ chances on his second of two failed goal-line carries. Gordon’s awful day came as Austin Ekeler piled up 125 yards on 12 touches, albeit only 5/7 on the ground. Losing is always a team effort for the Chargers. Gordon is receiving atrocious run blocking. With little time to throw, Philip Rivers is struggling to get the offense into rhythm. That still doesn’t absolve Gordon’s 2.3 YPC, or the fact that he’s yet to clear 50 yards from scrimmage in three games. Gordon has not been ready following his marathon holdout. Even without Akiem Hicks, the Bears will be the opposite of a get-right spot in Week 8.
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