Written by Thomas George at SBNation
It was 17-14 early in the fourth quarter and the Green Bay Packers owned the lead and the ball. The Packers or the Detroit Lions would grab the NFC North title. Both teams’ chances waffled all Sunday night at Ford Field before a pulsating Lions crowd that was hopeful yet hesitant.
And then Aaron Rodgers started messing with the Lions’ heads again.
Messing with Lions fans’ heads, too.
It was that play early in the fourth quarter, the one where Rodgers tossed a 31-yard pass down the left sideline, the one where a receiver named Geronimo giddy-upped and made a twisting catch to the Detroit 44-yard line. Yes, the Packers’ Geronimo Allison’s catch was fresh. But it was Rodgers throw that was the show.
He threw it like he meant it. With zip, yet with touch. It released from his hand as if he were conducting an orchestra with a baton. It was that finishing wave of his hand on that throw.
It was uh-oh.
You could see it — Aaron Rodgers is really starting to feel it.
He is messing with the Lions heads now. He’s about to go off.
Jordy Nelson knew it.
“I’ve been with him nine years now,’’ Nelson, Green Bay’s smooth receiver, said. “I see that all of the time in practice. There are literally times in practice where plays like he is painting a picture. It is incredible. And when he starts to do that in games, well, it’s look out. He is the leader of our team. His will is amazing. He is playing with so much confidence right now.’’
It was born from desperation, a 4-6, lackluster, dead-looking team that Rodgers energized and helped lead to six straight victories. The latest was Sunday against the Lions, 31-24. A 300-yard, four-touchdown-pass performance with artistic strokes by Rodgers.
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