Aaron Rodgers helped eliminate the Packers by wasting the opportunity to inspire them: NFL Instant Replay

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  • Ivis AburtoESPN Digital

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      • NFL editor and columnist at ESPN Deportes since 2015. • He began his career in 1996, working in radio and print media as an NFL reporter and editor with experience in covering various Super Bowls.

The desire to win manifests itself in different ways in the NFL and beyond the strategic and execution errors that caused the defeat of the Green Bay Packers in another NFC championship game, that the hunger to win was not seen in Aaron Rodgers.

This does not mean that the Packers defender and the strongest candidate to win the award as the most valuable player in the NFL played without motivation and desire to win, in fact, a few days before he was noticed encouraged and confident that he will take advantage of it was the first NFC final he had a chance to play at Lambeau Field, but during the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the mood faded until Rodgers was completely abandoned.

The image of Rodgers sitting on the bench with his mask on and his eyes blank is a reflection of the player who missed a clear opportunity to show, at least, to his team and fans that he will leave everything on the field for the opportunity to return to a Super Bowl.

With the Buccaneers 31-23 at 2:15 to play in the fourth quarter and after leading the offensive at the 8-yard line in Tampa Bay, Rodgers threw two incomplete passes and faced the third and goal in -an obvious situation of defense focused on defending some transports to the final area.

The game was developed in such a way that Bucs’ defense, in an attempt to pressure the Packers quarterback and cover his receivers, left a wide space on the right side of the field that Rodgers simply did not saw or ignored him and preferred to throw a pass to Davante Adams in midfield in the final area, even if the receiver was scored by two defenders.

It is still incomprehensible how a great defender and Rodgers’ experience did not take advantage of an opportunity that rarely appears in defining moments and less in the Playoffs.

The action that Rodgers did not take advantage of, is reminiscent of a play in which the protagonist clearly showed that he was willing to gain glory after several failed attempts to win the Super Bowl.

23 years ago, in Super Bowl XXXII between Denver Broncos and Packers, John Elway made it clear that after losing three games to the Vince Lombardi Trophy and a few more losses in the Playoffs, he was not willing to experience a loss again.

With the score tied at 17-17 and 2:16 remaining in the third quarter, the Broncos reached the 12-meter line at Green Bay and faced a third down and six. At a passing piece, Elway took center, took a few steps back and couldn’t find anyone to throw the ball, then saw a space to the right of the formation.

Elway was 37 years old, the same age as Rodgers today, and although his best days as a runner escaping pressure were long gone, he decided to run. Three Packers defenders rushed to approach him and collided with him, causing Elway to spin in the air like a propeller.

When he hit the ground, Elway had won eight meters, but more importantly, he inspired an entire team to a victory that was not easy. Elway’s action is considered one of the most important pieces in the history of the Broncos.

Of this magnitude could be considered Rodgers’ decision, omission or lack of ability not to see that wide space that could have changed the course of his history and that of the Packers in the current season.

After the compromised pass to Adams, Packers coach Matt LaFleur decided to go to the goal that only served to get five points from the Buccaneers because Tom Brady did not return the ball to Rodgers.

Rodgers may not have reached the final zone. Eight yards seems like a bit, but in the NFL, it’s a world away, but he could have been very close to the diagonals and thus convinced LaFleur to play fourth in a simpler situation with an inspired team. determined to win to bring back their Super Bowl lead after a 10-year absence and nine playoff eliminations, three of them in the NFC Finals.

Rodgers is not a player who properly assimilates losses. His attitude in the last seconds of the match against Tampa Bay, the cold greeting after the match with Tom Brady and his statements after the match prove this and on other occasions he showed the same attitude.

Rodgers simply gave up the opportunity to show that he would do whatever it took to return to the Super Bowl. The reality is that he was also responsible for the Packers not eventually dying against the Buccaneers.

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