Aaron Rodgers remains the NFL's hottest quarterback, throwing for 341 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Green Bay Packers to a 53-20 blowout victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. Our takeaways:
- The rest of the NFC contenders have to be hoping the Packers don't seize homefield advantage for the playoffs. They have jumped out to leads of 30-3, 45-0, 38-3 and 42-0 in the four home games since Rodgers' R-E-L-A-X admonition. They have posted a 50-burger in consecutive games for the first time in their 93-year franchise history. Rodgers' touchdown-to-interception is 31:0 over his last 13 home games. The Pack's average score over the past seven games overall is 39.4 to 20.9.
- Green Bay's defense has shown gradual improvement throughout the season, cresting with Clay Matthews' move to inside linebacker the past two weeks. Julius Peppers became the first player in NFL history with at least 100 sacks and four interceptions returned for touchdowns. He has returned to Pro Bowl form after a disappointing final season with the Bears. Defensive end Mike Daniels and rookie safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix are making plays every week. Jordan Matthews' garbage-time touchdown was the first the Packers have allowed at Lambeau Field with Rodgers still in the game since Week 2.
- Mark Sanchez missed too many throws, calling to mind the majority of Nick Foles' performances this season. He was also battered by the Packers' pass rush. This was a clear step back after one of the most impressive games of his career in his first Eagles start.
- Neither of these teams has shown the ability to run the ball with any degree of consistency this season. Rodgers was leading the Packers in rushing until late in the third quarter. There will come a time when they need to establish a ground attack in an important game. That said, Eddie Lacy's tackle-breaking, 32-yard receiving touchdown was one of the most impressive of the season.
- Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb, the NFL's best wide-receiver duo, combined for 238 yards on 13 receptions. Nelson would have added another deep ball and a second score, but he just missed a toe-tapping touchdown and Rodgers slightly underthrew him down the sideline. Cobb had a touchdown knocked out of his hands by Bradley Fletcher, who was toasted throughout the first half. Barring an injury, Nelson should be a lock as a first-team All Pro selection.
- The 53 points allowed by the Eagles is their most in a single game since 1972.
- The Packers have a share of first place and the MVP front-runner in Rodgers. With the NFL's best homefield advantage and winnable road games at Minnesota, at Buffalo and at Tampa Bay remaining, they have an apparent edge on the Lions in the NFC North race. The two teams meet in Green Bay for the season finale.
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