Week 7 vs. Oakland Raiders
Working without Davante Adams, Aaron Rodgers pieced together a 283-yard, two-touchdown game with one interception against the Lions last week. Things could be even worse this week with his pass-catchers. Check Friday's status, but it's not looking good for his top four receiving options. Rodgers being Rodgers, that might not matter as much as it would for other quarterbacks. But it does make him a low-end QB1 in what otherwise would have been a nice matchup against the Raiders.
Week 6 vs. Detroit Lions
Aaron Rodgers didn't struggle last week, but he also didn't light things up, throwing for 238 yards and no touchdowns in a win over the Cowboys as the Packers leaned on their running game with some weapons missing. Well, they might be missing even more than Davante Adams this week. Marquez-Valdes-Scantling also could sit this one out. The Lions also have been pretty stingy this season. I don't love the matchup and Rodgers is dealing with a bit of a knee issue. But Rogers also is at home, which counts for something. Even with that, he's a low-end QB1 this week.
Week 5 at Dallas Cowboys
As expected, Aaron Rodgers lit up the hapless Philadelphia secondary to the tune of 422 yards, but he also had just two touchdown passes and threw a costly interception at the end of the game. This week, he'll likely be working without the services of Davante Adams, who wasn't on the field when Rodgers was picked off, against a tough Dallas defense on the road. That's a downgrade for Rodgers. In fact, it makes him a borderline QB1 this week.
Week 4 vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Aaron Rodgers threw for just 235 yards and one touchdown last week against the Broncos and now has just four touchdown passes in three games. That used to be one game's worth of production for Rodgers. But this is a new era and Green Bay's entire offense has struggled to make this work. Philadelphia's defense, however, provides some opportunity. If Rodgers doesn't get it done this week, it's probably not going to happen at all. Look for him to have a good game against a secondary that has been struggling. He's a low-end QB1 start this week -- which sounds strange.
Week 3 vs. Denver Broncos
The Packers got up early last week and went into cruise control as Aaron Rodgers threw for just 209 yards and two touchdowns. The Broncos have allowed just 379 yards and one passing touchdown in their first two games, so things won't get much easier this week. The Broncos also don't figure to press a pretty good Green Bay defense, so Rodgers might not have to throw a lot in this game. He's still a QB1, but there are better options.
Week 2 vs. Minnesota Vikings
Aaron Rodgers threw for just 203 yards and one touchdown and ran the ball three times for eight yards in an offensively challenged win over the Bears last week. That should surprise no one, since it was a tough spot to open. He's had 10 days to prepare since for the Vikings and should be better. How much better, however, remains to be seen. He threw for 298 and 198 yards in two starts against the Vikings with one touchdown each in the two starts. On the plus side, the 298-yard game came at Lambeau Field. But he's not a great start this week against a defense that shut down Atlanta's passing game last week, albeit at home.
Week 1 at Chicago
Aaron Rodgers enters the regular-season opener healthy, wealthy and perhaps a little wiser after struggling through the 2018 season. He's got a new head coach and perhaps a different outlook on what it takes to succeed. That could include running the ball at least a little more than the Packers have in recent years. Will that hurt Rodgers' numbers? Maybe not. The threat of a running game could open things up for him a little more, especially in this game. Rodgers threw for 274 yards, no touchdowns and one interception last year at Chicago late in the year after beating them earlier in the season -- and getting hurt in the process -- with 286 yards and three touchdowns in the opener. All eyes will be on this one to open the season. And Rodgers usually stars when he's on the big stage. He should be a solid start, despite the tough matchup.
Fantasy Upside
Aaron Rodgers played all 16 games in 2018 and posted the second-highest passing yards total of his career with 4,442. But he threw just 25 touchdown passes, which for Rodgers was the lowest total for him in his career in a 16-game season. But the 36-year-old was injured for much of the season and working with perhaps the worst group of receivers in his career, particularly in terms of experience. He's still, quite frankly, in the top two in the league in terms of arm talent and, despite a coaching change, should still be the focal point of the offense.
Fantasy Downside
This is now two years in a row Rodgers suffered through an injury-plagued season, though, as mentioned, he did appear in all 16 games in 2018. And with Mike McCartney now gone, Rodgers could be reigned in slightly by the new staff, which could feature the running game a little more.
2019 Bottom Line
Rodgers should be on the same page more often with his young receiving corps, which will help out greatly with his 2019 stats. He's a great candidate for a bounce-back season. As mentioned, he remains one of the top-two arm talents in the league. Take advantage of his down season to grab him a little later than usual. His current ADP is around rounds 5 or 6, which is a steep fall for this Hall of Fame talent.
Week 17 vs. Detroit Lions
If you were patient -- and survived -- with Aaron Rodgers in your lineup, it was paid back last week with a 442-yard, two-touchdown effort in which he also ran for 32 yards and a pair of scores, as well. It was a monster game, one that reminded us of just how good Rodgers can be. He's owned Detroit over the years and should be a strong QB1 play again as the Packers try to finish strong.
Week 16 at N.Y. Jets
Aaron Rodgers threw for 274 yards last week but failed to throw a touchdown pass for the first time this season. He did scramble three times for 25 yards, but is now nursing a groin injury, which could limit that this week. He'll start this week against the Jets, but hasn't thrown for more than two touchdowns in a game in nine consecutive games, the longest such streak of his career. Rodgers is more of a high-end QB2 play again this week as he finishes off a disappointing season.
