Aaron Rodgers fires back at critics after Packers defeat Lions

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers fired back at his critics following the Packers’ decisive, 35-17, victory over the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field, and the veteran quarterback had every reason to be excited after his bounce-back performance.

The Packers in Week 1 had maybe the worst offense across the NFL, as Rodgers completed just 15-of-28 passes for 133 yards and two interceptions, and was later relieved by second-year quarterback Jordan Love, in a 38-3 loss to the Saints. In Week 2, things couldn’t have looked more different; Rodgers turned in a 22-of-27, 255-yard, four-touchdown, zero-interception performance.

“I think we maybe tried to show that we cared a little bit more tonight,” Rodgers said. “I just think people like to say a lot of bullshit, and it’s nice to come back in here after a game like that.”

Rodgers and the Packers in Week 2 looked like a completely different team, and running back Aaron Jones was a big reason why. The multi-faceted lead back had 17 carries for 67 yards and a touchdown, and he added six receptions for another 48 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Jones wasn’t Rodgers’ only successful target, either: star wide receiver Davante Adams bounced back from a subpar Week 1 with an eight-reception, 121-yard performance, catching all but one of Rodgers’ targets.

“I think there’s even more now than when I first started playing, so many overreactions that happen on a week-to-week basis,” Rodgers said of the Packers’ critics. “So, it’s nice to come out and have a good performance and get the trolls off our back for at least a week.”

It wasn’t just Rodgers and the offense, either. The Packers’ defensive unit took tremendous strides in the right direction in Week 2. Granted, the Lions are far from an offensive juggernaut, just one week after allowing Jameis Winston and the Saints to throw for five touchdowns, Green Bay held Jared Goff to just two, while forcing Goff to throw an interception and lose two fumbles — one of which, the Packers were able to recover.

Rodgers and the Packers got “the trolls” of their back for the time being, as Green Bay climbed back to .500 and is tied for first in the NFC North with the 1-1 Chicago Bears, but the Packers have a test ahead of them. This coming week, Rodgers leads his team to San Francisco, where the Packers will face the 2-0 San Francisco 49ers on the road before coming back home to face the Pittsburgh Steelers.