Entering the weekend, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was having one of the greatest NFL seasons ever, with 35 touchdown passes and only three interceptions. A clear favorite to win the league's MVP award for the second time, Rodgers and the Packers traveled to Buffalo to play the Bills on Sunday. And things went downhill for Rodgers -- fast.
To put it mildly, things did not go well.
Rodgers was inaccurate for most of the day, and his receivers weren't able to make big plays when called upon in a 21-13 loss.
"They were very physical with our receivers downfield," Rodgers said of Bills defense (via Packers.com).
What resulted was the worst game of Rodgers' nine-year career. His final stat line (17-for-42, 185 passing yards, two interceptions, one lost fumble) was pretty much atrocious, and marked the first time he'd ever turned the ball over at least two times and not accounted for a touchdown.
Star receiver Jordy Nelson dropped two potential scores, including a 90-yarder that would've put the team ahead in the second half.
"I don't think it's a lack of concentration," Nelson said, "but maybe it's trying to do too much, too quick. No excuses. We didn't make the plays, myself as the biggest. ...We never got into a rhythm. We were going forward and going back every possession. Just never got it going."
Rodgers is still the favorite to win the MVP, but New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady inched closer to the prize with a big day against the Miami Dolphins.
The Packers are 10-4, and will likely need to defeat the Detroit Lions in two weeks to win the NFC North division. If they are going to do that, Rodgers needs to get back on track.
"Everybody's quick to blame the quarterback," tight end Andrew Quarless said (via JS Online). "But the receivers, the running backs, the tight ends, we didn't make the plays. He put the ball in a lot of good positions, positions for us to make plays. I don't think the receiving corps stepped up. It's more on us.
"It was uncharacteristic of our offense today with those dropped passes. That's not the type of offense we are. We have to go back to the drawing board."
"Missed opportunities" prove costly in loss to Bills. #Packers locker room report: https://t.co/3n3T0yUk8v pic.twitter.com/87uuqnnPL1
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) December 14, 2014
