Maybe the Green Bay Packers are precisely who they thought they were.
The Packers thumped the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday inside Lambeau Field, cruising to a 27-17 win in the first matchup between Aaron Rodgers and Ben Roethlisberger since Super Bowl XLV. It continued a hot streak from the Packers, who have won three straight after their shocking blowout loss to the Saints that opened their season.
There was good reason to question what the Packers could do this season after their 38-3 loss to the Saints in Week 1, a defeat that begged the question of whether they were overrated as a team entering the year. In three games since, the answer has been resounding. The Packers are now 3-1 this season, among five NFC teams with at least three wins through the first four weeks.
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Milestone TD passes for Aaron Rodgers, Ben Roethlisberger
The Steelers opened the scoring Sunday with a 45-yard touchdown pass from Roethlisberger to receiver Diontae Johnson. The play was noteworthy because it came against cornerback Jaire Alexander, who might have received a shove from Johnson. Alexander rarely gives up catches, especially touchdowns. It was also Big Ben’s 400th career touchdown pass, making him the seventh quarterback in NFL history to join that exclusive 400 club. Rodgers and Brett Favre are also part of the club, and both were inside Lambeau Field on Sunday, with Favre recognized at halftime along with the rest of the Packers’ championship team from Super Bowl XXXI. Rodgers, not to be outdone, tossed a pair of touchdowns to Cobb. His second gave Rodgers 420 career touchdown passes, tying him with Dan Marino for sixth most in NFL history. Rodgers is one behind Philip Rivers’ 421 career touchdown passes for fifth most in NFL history. So there’s a good chance he’ll move into the top five next week at Cincinnati. On the day, Rodgers finished 20-for-36 passing for 246 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions and a 95.6 rating.
Randall Cobb money on money down
Cobb has eight catches this season. Six have been on third down. That includes four of his five catches on third down Sunday against the Steelers. Over and over, Rodgers turned to the longtime friend and teammate he brought back to town before the season when he needed to extend a drive. Cobb finished with 5 catches for 69 yards and two touchdowns, the second also the lone reception Cobb had when it wasn’t first down. That catch came on first-and-goal from the 1-yard line as Rodgers rolled to the right before eventually finding his veteran receiver in the corner. While Cobb isn’t as high on the Packers’ receiving depth chart as he used to be, Rodgers’ comfort with him has been important on key downs. Gives you an idea of why the quarterback wanted general manage Brian Gutekunst to trade for Cobb in August.
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