3 ways the Carolina Panthers can stop Aaron Rodgers in Week 15
By Dean Jones
49. Packers -8.5. 87. Saturday, Dec 19. 10-3. 8.15 PM ET. 4-9. NFL Network
How can the Carolina Panthers stop Aaron Rodgers?
The Carolina Panthers have a big job on their hands in Week 15. They make a daunting trip to Lambeau Field to take on the Green Bay Packers and their star quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who is enjoying a renaissance after being largely written off following the 2019 campaign.
This isn’t exactly a game head coach Matt Rhule would hand-pick following such a disappointing performance last time out. The Carolina Panthers were beaten at home by the Denver Broncos in Week 14 during what appeared to be their most winnable game remaining on the schedule. So whether they can dig deep and pull off a major upset on Saturday Night Football remains to be seen.
They are going to be without the services of Christian McCaffrey once again, with the star running back set to miss out with a quad injury that is the latest in a series of frustrating injury developments regarding the All-Pro running back in 2020.
Carolina’s defense has grown in stature as the season’s gone on. But stopping someone with the outstanding ability of Rodgers will be a monumental problem that few teams have been able to solve this season.
Here are three ways in which the Panthers can try and thwart Rodgers in Week 15.
Number 1
Limit Davante Adams
One of the primary ways the Panthers can limit the way Rodgers impacts this game is by taking away his top receiver. Davante Adams has been on an absolute tear in 2020 so far to continue his emergence as one of the best in the business. But if Carolina can somehow keep the wide receiver quiet then it is going to do their chances the world of good.
As is the case with Rodgers, that could be easier said than done.
Adams already has 91 receptions, 1,144 receiving yards, 14 touchdowns, and a 75.2 catch success rate this season. He is averaging 104 yards-per-game, has 504 yards after the catch, and also possesses an eye-popping 92.1 grade from Pro Football Focus as further evidence as to what a difficult proposition the wideout is to overcome.