Chapter 7 Week 2 of Preseason

The First Drive

Commentator: "The Packers offense takes the field, led by Aaron Rodgers, who's got a look in his eye today—like he knows something the rest of us don't."

Rodgers steps into the huddle, confident and assured.

Rodgers: "Trips right, 22 Texas, on one. We're gonna make this look easy."

The offense lines up. Rodgers surveys the defense, already sensing a weakness in the Falcons' coverage. With a hard count, he draws the Falcons' defensive end offside.

Referee: "Offside! Defense, number 99. Five-yard penalty, repeat first down."

Rodgers smiles and then signals for the snap. He fakes a handoff to Ahman Green and drops back. He finds Donald Driver on a slant route, hitting him in stride. Driver turns upfield, breaking two tackles for a 20-yard gain.

Rodgers: "Alright, hurry-up offense, let's keep the tempo high."

Rodgers gets the team back to the line, this time calling a play-action pass. The ball is snapped, and he fakes another handoff to Green before rolling out to his right. The Falcons' defense bites on the fake, leaving Bubba Franks wide open down the sideline. Rodgers throws a perfect spiral, hitting Franks in stride for a 30-yard pickup.

Commentator: "Rodgers is dissecting this defense with ease. It's like he's playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers!"

Now in the red zone, Rodgers calls for a quick out route to Greg Jennings.

Rodgers: "Gun Double Right, H-Quick, 90 Z-Out, on one!"

The snap is clean. Rodgers takes one step back and fires the ball to Jennings, who catches it and dances into the end zone for the first touchdown of the game.

Commentator: "Touchdown, Packers! Aaron Rodgers orchestrates a flawless drive, capping it off with a strike to Jennings!"

Score: Packers 7 - Falcons 0

"I'm really back I've got this" Every pass I throw just seems to get easier and easier. The mobility I didn't have towards the back end of my career was back and with it my confidence. 

The Second Quarter – Aerial Assault

Midway through the second quarter, the Packers are up 10-3 after a successful field goal on the previous drive. Rodgers steps back onto the field, looking as calm and collected as ever.

Rodgers: "Trips Left, 61 Max Protect, Wide Shallow Cross on two."

The play begins with Rodgers faking a screen to the left. The Falcons' defense bites, leaving a wide-open gap in the middle of the field. Rodgers sees Donald Driver sprinting across on a crossing route. He fires the ball, and Driver makes the catch, weaving through defenders for a 25-yard gain.

Now in Atlanta territory, Rodgers decides to up the tempo. He signals for the hurry-up offense, catching the Falcons off guard.

Rodgers: "22 Texas, no huddle. Line up!"

The offensive line sets, and Rodgers snaps the ball quickly, handing it off to Ahman Green. Green finds a hole opened by Chad Clifton and Jason Spitz, plowing forward for 15 yards, down to the Falcons' 20-yard line.

Rodgers: "Nice run, Ahman. Let's finish this."

Rodgers calls a quick play-action pass. He takes the snap, fakes to Green, and drops back. He sees Bubba Franks running a seam route down the middle. Rodgers lofts a high, arching pass that drops right into Franks' hands in the back of the end zone.

Commentator: "Touchdown, Packers! Rodgers with a perfectly placed ball to Franks! This man is on another level today."

Score: Packers 17 - Falcons 3

Halftime Pep Talk

In the locker room, the Packers gather around Rodgers, who's sitting on the bench with a serene expression.

Ahman Green: "Rodgers, how are you reading them so well? It's like you're in their huddle!"

I grinned "It's all about patience and knowing the defense's tendencies. Trust the process, guys. We're going to keep them guessing the whole game."

Third Quarter – Ground and Air Combo

The Packers receive the ball to start the third quarter, already leading 17-3. Rodgers decides it's time to mix in some more running to keep the defense honest.

Rodgers: "I-Formation, 24 Blast on one."

Rodgers hands off to Ahman Green, who powers through the right side, following a solid block from William Henderson. Green bursts through for a 12-yard gain, and the crowd roars. Rodgers signals for the no-huddle offense again.

Rodgers: "Ace Right, 22 Smash, on one. Let's go!"

Rodgers fakes the handoff to Green, rolling out to his left. The defense bites hard on the fake. Greg Jennings streaks down the sideline on a go-route, and Rodgers launches a deep pass. The ball sails perfectly into Jennings' hands for a 40-yard gain.

Commentator: "Rodgers with a bomb! Jennings hauls it in, and the Packers are in the red zone!"

In the red zone again, Rodgers surveys the defense and changes the play.

Rodgers: "Check, check! Gun Double Right, Y-Seam on two!"

Rodgers snaps the ball, drops back, and immediately finds Donald Driver running a quick seam route. He fires a bullet, and Driver snags it in the end zone.

Commentator: "Touchdown! Rodgers to Driver, and this is turning into a clinic!"

Score: Packers 24 - Falcons 3

With every score, I look over to my left on the sideline and I can see Brett's face, he looks angry. Maybe in my past life, I would have felt bad, but this time I'm back to win, and if it meant taking his job than so be it.

Fourth Quarter – Putting the Game Away

The Packers are up 31-10 after another scoring drive, and Rodgers isn't letting up. With the ball back in their hands, Rodgers looks to close the game in dominant fashion.

Rodgers: "Trips Right, 58 Z-Post on one. This one's for the dagger."

The ball is snapped. Rodgers drops back, quickly reading the Falcons' coverage. He sees the safety shift, leaving Donald Driver one-on-one with a corner. Rodgers launches a pinpoint pass deep down the field. Driver makes a leaping catch and races into the end zone for another touchdown.

Commentator: "Touchdown, Packers! Aaron Rodgers just cannot be stopped! That's his fourth touchdown of the day!"

Score: Packers 38 - Falcons 10

Postgame Reflection

The final whistle blows. The Packers have dominated the Falcons, winning 38-17. Rodgers walks off the field to a thunderous ovation, high-fiving teammates and fans.

Reporter: "Aaron, that was an incredible performance. How were you able to pick apart the Falcons' defense so effortlessly?"

Rodgers: (with a knowing smile) "Just playing the game I love, one play at a time."

He heads towards the tunnel, glancing back at the field one last time, thinking, "If only they knew how far ahead I really am."

I looked at the box score of today's game "I've gotta do better I missed one to Greg early in the game it should've been 5"

Green Bay Packers:

Aaron Rodgers: 27/33, 350 yards, 4 touchdowns, 0 interceptions

Ahman Green: 18 carries, 115 yards, 1 touchdown

Donald Driver: 9 receptions, 120 yards, 2 touchdowns

Greg Jennings: 7 receptions, 95 yards, 1 touchdown

Bubba Franks: 4 receptions, 45 yards, 1 touchdownT

eam Total Offense: 475 yards

Time of Possession: 35:12