Streak's end shows Aaron Rodgers is 'human'
It was one of the most impressive streaks in NFL history. For more than two full seasons — almost three calendar years — Aaron Rodgers threw no interceptions inside Lambeau Field. The streak spanned 587 consecutive passes and 49 touchdowns.
It ended Sunday during the first quarter of the Green Bay Packers’ 24-10 win against the St. Louis Rams. Safety Mark Barron jumped to tip Rodgers’ pass into the air, high enough for linebacker James Laurinaitis to dive under the football before it hit the field. The interception ended Rodgers’ NFL-record streak of throwing no interceptions at home.
“It was fun,” Rodgers said of the streak. “A lot of fun. Have to start a new one. I figured I might as well break the streak with a couple interceptions today. Streaks are meant to be broken, so it’s fun to put together something like that, but I’m sure someone will come along at some point and put up 600 (passes) in a row, maybe.”
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Rodgers had one of the sloppiest games of his career Sunday against a Rams defense that ranks among NFL’s elite. He had two interceptions in the first half, then lost a fumble in the third quarter. It came with the two-time MVP quarterback playing the best early-season football of his career.
Before Sunday, Rodgers had 11 touchdowns with no interceptions through the Packers’ first four games.
"He’s human sometimes, man,” receiver James Jones said. “You know what I mean? But it's very rare. It's very rare. So when you get him without his cape on, you better catch it."
Rodgers’ struggles against the Rams didn’t make his past three years at home any less impressive. What he accomplished inside Lambeau Field bordered on the impossible.
The streak is something the NFL may never see again, even from Rodgers.
“He still is a remarkable player,” coach Mike McCarthy said. McCarthy said. “What happened today doesn’t change that. But, yes, I think as you look back, I think history will be very kind and respectful, and will acknowledge that streak. I don’t know if we’ve ever heard of anything like it.”
rwood@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @ByRyanWood
