Week 4 vs. Buffalo Bills
Aaron Rodgers threw for 265 yards and a pair of scores last week in a loss at Washington. He also ran twice for 13 yards. He's not going to run as much on a balky knee, but the fact he's showing some mobility is a good sign. Rodgers hasn't put up big yardage totals yet, but his 265 last week was his floor for the season. Better days are ahead. The Bills have allowed seven TD passes this season. Rodgers should add to that total as a solid QB1.
Week 3 at Washington Redskins
Crisis averted as Aaron Rodgers didn't miss any time with his knee injury and threw for 281 yards and a score last week against a tough Minnesota defense. He's not going to run much, so you lose out a little there, but he's still as dangerous a passer as there is in the league. Washington's defense has been good thus far but hasn't really been challenged by Sam Bradford or a very cautious Andrew Luck. Rodgers will test the Redskins downfield. He should be solid to start this week.
Week 2 vs. Minnesota Vikings
Aaron Rodgers survived what could have been a major knee injury—again—missing time in the second quarter with a sprained knee before coming back out and finishing with 286 passing yards and three touchdowns against a good Chicago defense. He'll be limited in practice all week and this could go right up to game time as a decision about whether he plays again this week, but it would be a tough matchup regardless. Remember, he got hurt last year against the Vikings and Minnesota's pass rush could make things difficult for a hobbled Rodgers. Be careful here. Rodgers is still Rodgers, but keep your expectations tempered if he does play.
Week 1 vs. Chicago Bears
Aaron Rodgers makes his return to the Green Bay against hated division rival Chicago and newly acquired edge rusher Khalil Mack. One of the handful of games Rodgers did play in last season was against Chicago at home, where he threw for just 179 yards but had four touchdowns. It was his only four-touchdown game of the season. Rodgers is going to want to announce his return in authority. He should be a very good start this week, not that it is a surprise.
Fantasy Upside
When he's healthy, Aaron Rodgers is as close to the gold standard each week as it gets in the world of fantasy quarterbacks. In the six games he started and played the majority of the snaps last season, he had four games with at least 290 yards passing, and he threw 16 touchdown passes. He's playing for a contract this year, which will likely be the last one of his career, so there's motivation for him to put up big numbers.
Fantasy Downside
You do have to be slightly concerned with the injuries, as he's now suffered a major issue in two of the past five seasons. Also, his security blanket, Jordy Nelson, is no longer around.
2018 Bottom Line
Nelson or no Nelson, Rodgers should be fine. As stated, he should have plenty of motivation to put up big numbers this season. And for Rodgers, big numbers are 4,500 yards and 40 touchdowns. And it's not like he hasn't posted similar numbers before. Playing in the NFC, there are some tough matchups, but Rodgers is largely matchup-proof. The addition of Jimmy Graham also more than makes up for the loss of Nelson. Rodgers also still has his outstanding mobility, giving you some extra points with his legs. He should be the first quarterback off the board in any format.
Week 15 at Carolina Panthers
Aaron Rodgers will come back off injured reserve and start this week against Carolina. It won't be an easy task, but with the Packers likely needing to win out to even keep a slight chance at playoff hopes alive, Rodgers is the NFC's biggest wild card. Carolina has allowed 10 passing TDs in the past five games and at least 269 passing yards in four of those games. Rodgers should be back in your lineup.
Week 6 at Minnesota Vikings
Aaron Rodgers had 221 passing yards and 3 touchdowns last week, adding 4 rushing attempts for another 32 yards. He now has 10 touchdown passes in the past three games, and 13 for the season against 3 interceptions. Rodgers had just 213 yards and 1 touchdown at Minnesota last season but that was early in the year during a slow start. He torched the Vikings in the rematch late in the season for 347 yards and 4 scores. But Minnesota has allowed just 6 TD passes through five weeks. Even so, Rodgers should be a top start.
Week 5 at Dallas Cowboys
Rodgers threw for a season-low 179 yards last week against the Bears but mostly because he didn't need to throw since four of his passes went for touchdowns. This week he faces a Dallas defense that has given up 8 passing touchdowns in the past three games. Rodgers is a must-start regardless of format. He should have plenty of success once again this week and be the top QB in all formats.
Week 4 vs. Chicago Bears
Aaron Rodgers put up his third consecutive 300-yard game to start the season, throwing for 313 yards and 3 scores with 1 interception last week against Cincinnati. He also had his best rushing day of the season, scrambling 4 times for 23 yards. Last season at home against Chicago, he threw for 326 yards and 3 scores, putting the ball in the air 56 times. He only threw it 31 times in the rematch in Chicago later in the season, but that was in a December game. Weather won't be an issue here and the Bears are banged up in the secondary. Rodgers will, of course, be a strong QB1 start this week.
Week 3 vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Aaron Rodgers put up his second straight 300-yard game, throwing for 343 yards and 2 scores, adding 9 yards rushing on 2 carries. Rodgers has averaged 301.3 passing yards and has thrown 23 touchdown passes with just 1 interception in his last eight home games against AFC opponents. Overall, he has 16 TD passes and just 2 interceptions in his past six home games. Obviously, he's a QB1 in all formats.
