Aaron Rodgers scores first 2016 touchdown on the ground (Video)
By John Buhler
Aaron Rodgers gets the Green Bay Packers on the board first against the Jacksonville Jaguars with a 6-yard touchdown run in the first quarter in Week 1.
Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers entered the 2016 NFL season steeped in expectations, and the former MVP wasted little time making his presence known against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Rodgers is known for doing most of his damage as a superstar quarterback with his rocket arm, but had no issue on this score against what looks to be a bad Jaguars run defense. Packers kicker Mason Crosby would sink the point after attempt to put Green Bay up 7-0 on Jacksonville early.
On a second and five at the Jaguarsâ six-yard line, Rodgers drops back three more steps from shotgun formation, feels the pressure, and quickly decides to escape the pocket to his right for an easy walk into the end zone.
Though two Jaguars defenders would meet him at the right pylon, Rodgers got into the Jacksonville end zone untouched to put the Packers up 6-0 at 9:38 in the first quarter.
For Green Bay, this is a great start in a very humid, very hostile road environment. As for Jacksonville, itâs never good to be behind in a game early, particularly at home. But trailing a team like the Packers? Thatâs especially dangerous.
Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles has shown he can throw for a ton of yards when trailing in a ball game. However, the former No. 3 overall pick has yet to show he can play with a lead. Rodgers, by contrast, is pretty much the best in the business in todayâs league.
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The Packers have Super Bowl aspirations in 2016. Jacksonville, meanwhile, looks to be very competitive in the AFC South. The Jaguars wonât need to beat Green Bay to win their division, but playing the Packers well should help their confidence the rest of the way in 2016.