Aaron Rodgers’ 44 Total TDs in 2014
2-3-SEA 3 (Q4, 9:37) 12-A.Rodgers pass short right to 18-R.Cobb for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
For lack of a better option, I labeled this route a curl, because Cobb’s job on the play is to basically face Rodgers at the goal line and try to give him a window to throw to. That is, in fact, what ends up happening, as the DB does not blanket Cobb, and Rodgers gets the DB to move outside to follow the rollout, then rifles the ball to Cobb with a defender in his face. This is not the easiest throw in the world to make, but Aaron does it with ease.
2-6-NYJ 6 (Q2, :08) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass short middle to 18-R.Cobb for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
The Packers (intentionally) allow a free rusher on this play and Rodgers gets hit, but the defender on Cobb was late breaking on the slant route, and Rodgers got the pass out so quickly that free rushing defender couldn’t get to him in time.
3-1-NYJ 1 (Q3, 5:48) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass short right to 18-R.Cobb for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
Honestly, the Jets should have their DBs switch responsibility on this play rather than chase their respective receivers. This is just too easy because Cobb gets way too open on the outside route.
1-10-GB 20 (Q3, 2:21) 12-A.Rodgers pass deep right to 87-J.Nelson for 80 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Nelson runs a very crisp route on this play, an out ‘n’ up. He blows by the CB. Rodgers hits him in stride. Nelson makes the safety miss. Bang, bang, bang, and the Packers have a TD on the first play of their drive.
3-1-DET 10 (Q1, :43) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass short middle to 81-A.Quarless for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Here Rodgers shows off his pinpoint accuracy. Quarless has inside position on the post and Rodgers threads the needle to him for the TD.
2-3-CHI 3 (Q2, 10:15) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass short left to 87-J.Nelson for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
This is a simple fade to Nelson. Rodgers does a great job of placing the ball where Jordy can high-point it.
3-7-CHI 22 (Q2, 1:10) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass deep right to 18-R.Cobb for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Randall Cobb gets great burst off of the line of scrimmage and almost immediately runs past the corner covering him in the slot. Rodgers holds the deep safety in position and Cobb is wide open (by NFL standards at least) for the TD.
3-9-CHI 11 (Q3, 4:35) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass short right to 87-J.Nelson for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
The Packers’ OL is really responsible for the success of this play, because they keep the Bears’ pass rush totally at bay. Rodgers has an eternity in the pocket, and when Nelson turns finishes his route and turns around, and is fairly open in the endzone. Rodgers unleashes the pass, and Nelson does well to hold on to the football because he was hit as he made the catch for the TD.
1-3-CHI 3 (Q4, 14:56) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass short left to 18-R.Cobb for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
This TD was a result of a bad job of defensive game planning by the Bears, because the play against the Jets two weeks before. The CB on Cobb bites hard on his step inside, and Cobb easily comes open in the left side of the end zone for a simple TD.
2-4-MIN 8 (Q1, 9:44) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass short left to 18-R.Cobb for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Cobb just beats the CB again on this play. This time, it’s with a corner route. He is very open and makes it an easy throw for Rodgers.
2-7-GB 34 (Q1, 5:29) (No Huddle) 12-A.Rodgers pass deep middle to 87-J.Nelson for 66 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Nelson, who is running a post route, takes a jab step to the outside and fakes out Harrison Smith, who gets turned around. This means Nelson is wide open deep downfield, and it’s an easy pass to throw for Rodgers and a stroll into the endzone for Nelson.
3-1-MIN 11 (Q2, 4:55) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass short middle to 17-D.Adams for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Once again the receiver’s route fakes out a DB and lets him get wide open. This time Adams gets the CB to turn his hips to the outside before Adams cuts inside on the slant. Another easy TD pass for Rodgers.
1-9-MIA 9 (Q1, 10:13) (No Huddle) 12-A.Rodgers pass short middle to 87-J.Nelson for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Both Brent Grimes and the safety get pulled up towards the LoS by the play action fake and Nelson runs right by them to get wide open in the endzone. It doesn’t get much easier from that.
3-5-MIA 5 (Q3, 3:52) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass short right to 18-R.Cobb for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
This is the first TD pass in a while that Rodgers actually had to work for. He does a great job extending the play with his legs, and then Cobb does a good job getting open after Rodgers extends the play. Cobb and Rodgers are clearly operating on the same wavelength.
1-4-MIA 4 (Q4, :06) (Shotgun) 12-A.Rodgers pass short right to 81-A.Quarless for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
This play is a great example of how timing throws can really benefit your offense. Rodgers throws the ball well before Quarless turns his head around. This is a very good thing, because the DB is in tight man coverage on Quarless. Since the play is rhythm based, Quarless knows to expect the ball to be there when he turns around. In man coverage, DBs watch the receivers, not the QB. When the receiver turns around to look for the ball, the DB is taught to attack. The advantage the timing route gives is that by the time Quarless turns around the ball is already almost there and the DB doesn’t have enough time to react to it.
