Home Sweet Home: Rodgers and His Crüe Still Unparalleled at Lambeau

Home is where the heart is.

There's just something about being within the confines of your own home. It's your domain, and however you feel the need to deck it out with personal possessions, you can do so without naysayers giving their input.

For Aaron Rodgers, his home is Lambeau Field, located in Green Bay, Wisconsin at 1265 Lombardi Avenue and his possessions are opposing defenses. Even as a Chico, California native, his migration to America's Dairyland was more than just a temporary visitation.

Now renowned seemingly as a piece of American folklore around South Oneida Street and Mike McCarthy way, Rodgers made his bed at Lambeau—and he's laying in it, much to the joy of the fans of the team he plays for. He's helped stabilize the narrative that the Packers and their fans have been spoiled at the quarterback position for the last two decades.

Ever since he took the reigns from Brett Favre in 2008 after  riding the bench for his first three seasons in the NFL—Favre to the Jets, Rodgers kicking off his own legacy—he's been one of the more prominent, illuminating reasons why the Packers have been as consistent as they have for the last eight seasons—all of which they were featured as a playoff team.

There's been more to Rodgers and his reputation over the years. Aside from the biggest critique of him only having one Super Bowl ring—because apparently, every talented quarterback is held to the standard of Tom Brady—he has been a statistical machine.

Rodgers is the sole owner of the highest passer rating in NFL history. He's the only quarterback to have a career passer rating over 100.0, let alone where he sits at 104.1. As staggering as that is, he also has a career touchdown-to-interception ratio of 4.1-to-1.

His statistical oddities don't end.

Since 2013, while the Packers have gone 22-6 at Lambeau Field, Rodgers has completed 66.9 percent of his passes for 72 touchdowns and just eight interceptions. All while sporting a 115.2 passer rating.

In fact, Rodgers didn't throw a single interception on Lambeau's hallowed turf from December 2, 2012, to October 11, 2015. Not until 492 pass attempts and 1,043 days later.

Brady, who many consider to be ahead of Rodgers in terms of ranking the best quarterbacks in our current game, hasn't even reached Rodgers' level of home dominance. At Gillette Stadium since 2013, Brady has played one more home games than Rodgers—thanks to his collarbone injury that required him to miss four Lambeau starts in 2013—and has thrown 64 touchdowns (eight less than Rodgers) along with 14 interceptions (six more than Rodgers).

In typical Patriots fashion, they went 26-3 in that span.

Even despite both Rodgers and Brady's dominance, Saints quarterback Drew Brees has the most touchdown passes since 2013, sitting at 141. Rodgers, in six fewer games played, has 126 as well as 29 fewer interceptions. His efficiency levels are second-to-none, even at an evident disadvantage with the amount of playing time he's received.

But, of course, the script always flips back to Brady and Rodgers. Since 2014, they're the only two quarterbacks to sport a passer rating over 100.0 with 103.1 and 102.8, respectively.

Both quarterbacks play in relatively easy divisions, and that can likely be somewhat attributed to their success, however, it doesn't take the cake. Rodgers has thrown 45 touchdowns to just four interceptions against the NFC North since 2014, including completing 64.8 percent of his passes for a 109.2 passer rating.

Compared to Russell Wilson, someone who can be considered to have been the next-best quarterback at home—Seattle's CenturyLink Field—Rodgers looms in a superior fashion. Wilson has played 40 games at home since his 2012 rookie year—12 more than Rodgers—and has still thrown five fewer touchdown passes.

A change of the calendar hasn't halted Rodgers' excellence at home, as even in January in the few playoff games that have been hosted at Lambeau Field, he's shined.

The 2012 NFC Divisional matchup against the New York Giants was the last time Rodgers threw an interception at home in the playoffs. Since then, the Packers have hosted four playoff games and won three of them. They were behind the 66.5 percent completion rate of Rodgers' throws, including his nine touchdowns reinforced by zero interceptions.

After each of those four games, the Packers hit the road. They've earned home field advantage in the playoffs just once: That dismal defeat to the Giants in a frosty Lambeau Field to crush title hopes for a 15-1 campaign.

Just by a mere glance at Rodgers' ungodly numbers, one would think he's the proud owner of several Super Bowl rings. One would also believe the Packers have reached the pinnacle of the NFL world at least three times since their last trip in 2011. Unfortunately, it takes 52 other men.

It's why the Packers equipped their passing attack—engineered by Rodgers—with two efficient tight ends in Martellus Bennett and Lance Kendricks. Two superb talents in creating open space including Bennett, who, at 30 years old, is expecting to duplicate his career-high seven receiving touchdowns last season in the Patriots' offense.

Going from Brady to Rodgers just seems like a luxury that not many—if any—players have shared.

It's possible that the Packers may have their most potent tight end group in years. With Bennett, Kendricks and Richard Rodgers—who fluctuated as the team's starting tight end during his first three seasons—there's no reason why they can't provide a trio of big bodies to pass and run block, as well as vertically stretch the field.

2009 was the last time Rodgers had two tight ends combine for over 900 receiving yards. Eight years later, this free agent pairing could just help enhance Rodgers' home dominance, which is unlike anything the NFL world has ever seen.

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Zachary Jacobson is a staff writer/reporter for Cheesehead TV. He's the voice of The Leap on iTunes and can be heard on The Scoop KLGR 1490 AM every Saturday morning. He's also a contributor on the Pack-A-Day Podcast. He can be found on Twitter via @ZachAJacobson or contacted through email at [email protected].

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Comments (24)

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Lphill's picture

June 29, 2017 at 06:26 am

I think Favre had good numbers at home also , I remember thinking with Favre the 8 home games were pretty much wins regardless of the opponent , I don't get that feeling with the current team . I would like to know Favres win percentage vs Rodgers in home playoff games , the stat that really counts.

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ZacharyJacobson's picture

June 29, 2017 at 07:52 am

Favre didn't lose any one of the six home playoff games from '94 to '01 until the Falcons won in early '03. That should give you an idea.

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Savage57's picture

June 29, 2017 at 06:58 am

So this is writing in the age of the internet.

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ZacharyJacobson's picture

June 29, 2017 at 07:53 am

Please spare me, Savage57, you're too savage for me. I can't take it.

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GBPDAN1's picture

June 29, 2017 at 08:17 am

Why include Rich Rodgers in the pass / run block trio? He's terrible at it for a big guy. And to mention him in the "stretch the field" sentence? Wow! Reading this article only reminds me of why haven't the Packers won more SBs with Rodgers? Roster examples such as Ted replacing Finley (with a high draft pick) on slow R. Rodgers is telling. I'm glad TT finally realized how important a quality TE is and started stocking the roster with good FA TEs. I hope this years TT shortcomings isnt at OLB depth and pass rush? There's always a piece or 2 missing by TT that prevents a SB victory since 2010.

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ZacharyJacobson's picture

June 29, 2017 at 08:28 am

For a guy who cut almost 20 pounds last year, he wasn't so bad as a blocker last season. And, it's simple schematic football. Guys like Bennett/Kendricks open the field, a guy like Rodgers feasts on YAC underneath.

I'm sorry that reading this article only reminded you how horribly spoiled we are and how millions of fans would kill to be in your shoes with this current Packers team right now. Thanks for reading.

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BPEARSON21's picture

June 29, 2017 at 09:03 am

Great article, I can't wait to watch what Rodgers can do with 2 solid TE's. I think last season with Jared Cook gave us a little sample of what Rodgers is capable of with a big TE target down field. I think this bolsters our offense in so many ways.

But Zachary Jacobson.. this I have a problem with "reminded you how horribly spoiled we are and how millions of fans would kill to be in your shoes with this current Packers team right now." Come on, don't be that fan.

It is absolutely legitimate to be sickened by the fact that Rodgers only has 1 super bowl ring after all the accolades you just mentioned above in your article. The Packers as an entire organization are REALLY GOOD but they're not perfect. Until they are perfect (looking at you Patriots) there is a legitimate argument to be made that we're underachieving.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, when Rodgers is over and we become a .500 football team we will wish we would've done more to secure a few more rings.

Nobody is going to look back and give a rip about a Packers team that won 1 super bowl but made the play offs a bunch of times. It's okay to raise the bar, it really is.

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ZacharyJacobson's picture

June 29, 2017 at 11:05 am

Nothing wrong with knowing the capabilities of this team and how they've fallen short the last few years. It's frustrating and it irritates me too. But it's drastically understated how difficult it is to win a Super Bowl, and with Rodgers - who will likely play 6-7 more years and whose window isn't even close to being closed - I'm not going to dwell over it. I'm grateful to have seen them win it once, because it's a lot more than a lot of fans can say.

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ThxJackVainisi's picture

June 29, 2017 at 10:51 am

Anyone who thinks Rodgers 'feasted' on YAC last season wasn't paying attention. McGinn has his YAC last season at 3.1 yards. Sporting Charts has him at 3.6 YAC, Cook at 5.3, Kendricks at 5.4 and Bennett at 7.5. With that kind of "feasting" it's a wonder he didn't lose more weight during the season.

As to his blocking, McGinn wrote, "Despite having superb hands, Rodgers’ drop rate of 10.6% was the worst on the team. His blocking remains well below average, too. He was charged with 10 ½ “bad” runs..." So he was bad blocking last season but improved after being horrible the year before. But "feasts" is a cool word, right? And using cool words is apparently more important than getting content right.

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ZacharyJacobson's picture

June 29, 2017 at 11:08 am

Hey, Derrick. Haven't seen you in a while.

Apparently, you failed to recognize the context of my comment. I said Bennett/Kendricks open the field, Rodgers "feasts" underneath. Has Bennett or Kendricks played a single down of football in Green Bay yet? No. Obviously I was referring to how the offense could operate in 2017, not how they operated in 2016 or even 2015.

Thanks for reading.

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ThxJackVainisi's picture

June 29, 2017 at 11:52 am

I have no idea who "Derrick" is, so you still haven't seen him in a while.

Apparently you failed to read what you wrote. You wrote R. Rodgers "wasn't so bad as a blocker last season". That's only true for fans who don't know football. Even though R Rodgers is too slow to excel as a receiving TE, he's also well below average blocking.

Expecting players to vastly outperform how they've played over the past few seasons is fools game. I hope R Rodgers sees a lot of bench time - much better to have Bennett and/or Kendricks on the field. Both of whom are better blockers and better receivers.

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ZacharyJacobson's picture

June 29, 2017 at 07:06 pm

Sorry for the confusion, David.

I wasn't talking about the blocking section. I was talking about the YAC. But, you're right, I don't know football. Just like you don't know how to comment on anything without trying to undermine someone's intelligence.

"Expecting players to vastly outperform how they've played over the past few seasons is fools game." I'm sure Davante Adams agrees.

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ThxJackVainisi's picture

June 30, 2017 at 03:58 pm

Zach, I understand why you don't want to talk about Rodgers' blocking. You say you watched film and came to the conclusion his blocking ability "wasn't so bad" and later you apparently tried to modify that opinion to "moderately average blocking ability". Coming to that conclusion after watching specifically for it reinforces my opinion of your football acumen. As far as expecting players to vastly outperform: By using an exception to the rule in Adams, are you now telling us we should expect a huge improvement in YAC from R Rodgers?

As far as trying to undermine your intelligence, that's not what I'm doing. As I've posted before, I don't think you're a very good writer. I think you try to enhance your generally (not always) poorly crafted posts by using words that many times (not always) don't fit the idea you are trying to convey. And I don't think you're particularly knowledgeable about football. The saddest thing IMO is you don't seem to be working on improving. However, my opinion that you're not a good writer and not particularly knowledgeable about football is not an indictment of your intelligence. For all I know you may be a brilliant physicist. Anyway, I look forward to training camp as there will be more news and other writer's material to read.

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flackcatcher's picture

June 30, 2017 at 08:04 pm

A couple a days ago I slapped down Ms Burton for having a whine fest with two other chtv writers over the commentators here. And here you go proving their point. Football CANNOT come soon enough.

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ZacharyJacobson's picture

June 30, 2017 at 09:25 pm

I'm sorry you feel that way, Danny.

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GBPDAN1's picture

June 29, 2017 at 11:20 am

R. Rodgers is not a good blocking TE!

"A guy like Rodgers feasts on YAC underneath" ..... now you just reminded me how R Rodgers is terrible at YAC. 180 pound CBs arm tackle him and he has no moves or speed

"I'm sorry that reading this article only reminded you how horribly spoiled we are and how millions of fans would kill to be in your shoes with this current Packers team right now."

I understand this statement as I lived as a die-hard Packers fan through the 70s and 80s. However, at the end of the day, NFL Championships are the goal. Just ask Vince Lombardi his opinion if you don't believe me . All I'm saying is we should have won at least one or two more SBs with Rodgers. Maybe we will? It sure would be nice to tie and then surpass the Cowgirls and Fourty Winners with SB victories!

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Ferrari Driver's picture

June 29, 2017 at 09:50 am

Too many people forget that football is not like tennis or golf, it's a team sport. What quarterback in football wouldn't want to play with the NFL number one defense we had when we beat New England for the 1996 Super Bowl trophy with a kick returner voted as the Super Bowl MVP. For Favre, that was one Super Bowl win under his belt.

Some point to greatness by how many Super Bowl wins a quarterback has in his pocket.

Using that criterion, one would have to conclude that both Doug Williams and Trent Dilfer were better quarterbacks than either Dan Marino or Jim Kelly.

I have watched a lot of terrific quarterbacks play in person during my lifetime including, Bart Starr, Brett Favre, Tobin Rote, Lynn Dickey, from the Packers and Archie Manning, Johnny Unitas, Joe Montana, from other teams and a host of other on Television.

IMO, I believe Aaron Rodgers is the most complete and talented quarterback I have ever watched play the game. Considering his mental acumen, physical ability, arm strength, accuracy, and competitiveness, he is the quarterback equivalent of Jack Nicklaus in golf, the best to ever play the game.

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ThxJackVainisi's picture

June 29, 2017 at 12:11 pm

Ferrari Driver: " I believe Aaron Rodgers is the most complete and talented quarterback I have ever watched play the game. Considering his mental acumen, physical ability, arm strength, accuracy, and competitiveness, he is the quarterback equivalent of Jack Nicklaus in golf, the best to ever play the game."

Absolutely agree and I've seen the QBs you mentioned (but never saw Rote or Archie in person). It's incredible that the Packers went from HOFer Favre to an even better QB...

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scullyitsme's picture

June 29, 2017 at 11:52 am

Really? Out of that whole positive article the commenters somehow found a way to put down Richard Rodgers? Really? That's a big reach. Lol. Way to search for it doom an gloomers, well done!

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ZacharyJacobson's picture

June 29, 2017 at 08:06 pm

Lol. Seriously.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

July 01, 2017 at 05:17 pm

I refrained from writing a rant against RR, but not because it was a reach, but simply to avoid repetitive posts. I imagine many here already know what I think about RR. I don't think it was doom and gloom either. I didn't see anyone suggesting that Bennett and Kendricks wouldn't be our best TE duo since 1996.

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TKWorldWide's picture

June 29, 2017 at 04:12 pm

My only question is this: Is 12's crüe motley?

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James Alexander's picture

June 29, 2017 at 04:08 pm

I'm real excited to see the Packers offense run two TE sets. Two guys I think have real solid years as a result of Bennett and Kendricks clearing out the middle of the field will be Cobb especially and R. Rodgers.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

June 30, 2017 at 10:13 am

I really like Lowry and Fackrell, and expect them to become above average NFL players.

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