Week 2 at Minnesota
Rodgers didn't necessarily have the big start many thought he would last week at Jacksonville, but he was still productive, throwing for 199 yards and two touchdowns and rushing for another score with 16 yards on four carries. He threw for 212 and 291 yards with three total touchdown passes in two meetings with Minnesota last season, so don't get carried away with your expectations. Aaron Rodgers being Aaron Rodgers, you've got to start him. But it might not be overly pretty.
Week 1 at Jacksonville
Rogers and company start their 2016 redemption tour in Jacksonville against a revamped Jaguars defense. The Jaguars weren't a good pass defense in 2015. But they've added to their pass rush and on the back end. But the Packers want to prove last season was a fluke and Rodgers especially wants to put 2015 behind him. He'll look to get Jordy Nelson involved early and often - if he's not limited. Rodgers should get off to a good start and should be a solid play in all formats.
2016 Fantasy Outlook
When your "down" season includes throwing for 3,800 yards and 31 touchdowns, you know you're really good. That's what happened with Rodgers last season as he struggled without Jordy Nelson in the lineup. Rodgers had just three 300-yard games last season, while he had just as many in which he failed to top 200 yards. The entire Packers offense was just out of sync last season, but Nelson will be back this year and that should help everyone (Rodgers included). A thinner Eddie Lacy will also help take some pressure off Rodgers. At 32 years old, Rodgers is still in his prime and should bounce back with 4,000 yards and 30-plus touchdowns once again. With young stars such as Cam Newton and Russell Wilson coming into their own, Rodgers is no longer the sure-fire first QB off the board, but he's still a top-3 QB option.
Week 19 at Arizona
Rodgers wasn't great last week in Washington, throwing for 220 yards and two touchdowns, but he didn't need to be. Things won't get any easier this week at Arizona. He threw for 151 yards and a score in a Week 16 loss at Arizona. Rodgers might not be quite that bad, but he likely won't be markedly better, either. This is a tough spot for Rodgers against a rested Arizona defense.
Week 18 at Washington
Rodgers woke up in the fourth quarter last week to throw for 291 yards, but still had just one touchdown pass for the third consecutive week. Let's face it, the Packers offense is just off. The offensive line is a mess and the receivers aren't doing a lot to help him. But the Redskins have allowed 30 TD passes this season and rank 23rd against opposing quarterback in fantasy points allowed. They've been better at home than on the road, but Rodgers should have some success.
Week 17 vs. Minnesota
This up-and-down season for Rodgers continued last week as he was constantly harassed by Arizona's defense and threw for just 151 yards, one touchdown and one interception with a pair of fumbles. He's produced at least one passing touchdown in 14 of his 15 games this season, but that's not what's expected out of Aaron Rodgers. He did throw a pair of TD passes earlier this season against Minnesota, but produced just 212 yards. Green Bay is 19th against opposing QBs in fantasy points allowed, but there's no reason to think Rodgers is suddenly going to snap out of this funk - or more correctly his receivers are. There are better options this week.
Week 16 at Arizona
For the second time in the past four games, Rodgers barely topped 200 yards with one touchdown last week. He's just not playing like an elite QB this season. Arizona's offense will pressure him to push the ball down the field this week. The Cardinals aren't an elite pass defense, especially with the Honey Badger, but they're still tough. Rodgers is a starter this week, but there are some better options out there.
Week 15 at Oakland
Rodgers was OK last week, throwing for 218 yards and two scores, but it marked the fourth consecutive week he was under 275 yards. That's not what you drafted him where you took him to do. On the plus side, he has accounted for at least two touchdowns in five of the past six seasons. Oakland has allowed 10 of its 13 opponents to throw for at least 266 yards this season, so Rodgers should be able to bounce back this week. He should be a solid start in what has been a sub-par season.
Week 14 vs. Dallas
Midway through the fourth quarter last week, Rodgers was having a poor game. But after running for a score and throwing a Hail Mary to end the game, he finished with 273 yards and three total touchdowns in one of his more productive games of the season. Dallas has held seven opponents under 225 passing yards this season and hasn't allowed more than two touchdown passes in any game. Given the recent struggles Rogers has had connecting with Davante Adams and James Jones, he's not as much of a sure thing this week as usual.
Week 13 at Detroit
Weather was a concern last week against Chicago and Rodgers struggled once again, throwing for just 202 yards, one touchdown and one interception. But this week, he gets to move indoors vs. a Detroit team that he lit up for 333 yards and two scores just a couple of weeks ago. Green Bay's offense is clearly struggling and Detroit has allowed 169 and 199 yards passing in the past two weeks against Oakland and Philadelphia, so there is some concern. But something tells me Rodgers bounces back this week.
