Mike Florio isn’t ready to write off Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady just yet
Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady are under .500 through seven weeks. At this point, fans of both players believe their odds of making a comeback are quite low.
However, one NFL analyst believes the quarterbacks are actually in an underrated spot.
Speaking on the "Rich Eisen Show," Mike Florio explained why he wasn't ready to shut the door on Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers just yet. Here's how he put it:
"The thing about both Rodgers and Brady, number one, they're not done. There's a long way to go. And, at some point, they can figure it out between now and the end of the regular season.
"Also, they can be very dangerous if they get into the playoffs and have to go on the road. The Bucs did that two years ago when they won the Super Bowl."
On targets 15+ yards downfield, Aaron Rodgers has only 6 to receivers charted as open - last in the NFL
Through 7 games last year he had 8 to Davante Adams alone
He went on to remind fans how both Brady and Rodgers have won a Super Bowl as the underdogs:
"They went on the road three times, won three games, and off they went. And now again they may win the division so they wouldn't have to go on the road all three times.
"And the one time Aaron Rodgers won a Super Bowl in 2010 [was] on the road. ... The Packers, when they're the one seed, they seize up in one of those playoff games, they got too much to lose."
"I didn't know until 90 minutes before the game that Bakhtiari wasn't playing.. I feel like it's a real possibility that he plays this Sunday" ~@AaronRodgers12
#PMSLive #ART https://t.co/upnIaumt65
Florio also explained why both quarterbacks are dangerous with their backs against the wall:
"The expectations are too high. You go into the playoffs, skin of your teeth, seven seed, different vibe, nothing to lose. 'Let's go take our chances and air it out.' And I think that's the mindset Rodgers needs in the postseason to be as successful as he needs to be."
The Below .500 Club feat. Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady and Russell Wilson
At this time of the NFL calendar two years ago, Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson were experiencing just another season at the top of the food chain. Now, all three are chasing younger names in the league, including Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen and Joe Burrow.
The two No. 12s and Wilson are all within a game of each other. Rodgers and Brady are at 3-4, while the former Seattle Seahawks signal caller is at 2-5. As the league rounds into its third month, the pressure will reach a new level for teams below the 8-ball.
Will Week 8 be the time for the Green Bay Packers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Denver Broncos to respond to early-season adversity?
Most agree it could be a tall order for all three teams to win this weekend. The Packers will be playing the Buffalo Bills, the Buccaneers will take on the Baltimore Ravens, and the Broncos will be playing in London.
Which team(s) will escape Week 8 with a longer margin for error and which team(s) will fall closer to despair?
If any of the above quotes are used, please credit the Rich Eisen Show and H/T Sportskeeda.