Is the weather becoming a factor?

The Tampa Bay Bucheneers fell to the Greenbay Packers during week 10 in a exciting and close game which ultimately came down to a comeback killing throw and catch of over 40 yards between Aaron Rodgers and Jordy Nelson for a score. Final score 35-26.

Despite the obvious success as a team many would point out that Rodgers had possibly the worst game of his stellar season. (He eclipsed Peyton Manning as the quarterback with the most consecutive games of over a 110 passer rating with now 10 games) Aaron completed 23 of his 34 pass attempts (67.6%) which amounted to 299 yards and 3 touchdowns. That being said, Aaron also threw his fourth interception of the season and seemed off-target on many of his throws which his highly uncharacteristic when compared to his last three games in which he averaged a almost perfect 140 passer rating.

That brings a lot to the debate table when you consider the myriad of factors that could be contributing to Aaron's lackluster play. (I almost laugh out loud at this statement. I think Rex Grossman would have sacrificed his left arm to have a game like Rodgers had against Tampa Bay.) But, for the sake of argument let us imagine that Aaron's almost perfect performance so far is actually very poor and needs to be changed. Is it the physical punishment at the hand of viscous pass rushes that has started to mangle Rodger's throwing form and mental frame of mind? Is it opposing defensive coordinators are finally unlocking the key his methods? Is it blind luck that he had such a great season so far? Is it blind luck that such failures have befallen the Greenabay quarterback?

To me the answer is simple and hardly alarming: it's getting cold out. It's easier for quarterbacks like Matt Ryan and Drew Brees to attain high completion ratings when they are protected by the covering of domes. (Oh, is your pass a little of target, Drew Brees? Why don't I blast the air conditioning at the right moment so it gets back on track...) Well, that is what I imagine happens some times. But, seriously, your not going to complete every pass or miss every defender on the field when your standing ankle deep in snow throwing with half-frost-bitten fingers through a thirty mile an hour wind coming straight towards you.That is a rather common occurrence in Lambeau Field during the depths of December.

Thus, I predict that Aaron Rodgers will not break the completion percentage record held by Drew Brees merely by the fact that he faces poor weather in the future. (I know packer fans, it makes me angry too.) But hey, looking back at the history of NFL there is one conclusion about cold weather that I have made. Judging by legendary playoff games like the Ice Bowl and the Tuck Rule Game there is little chance of completing the vast majority of your passes. But, it is in these games that legends are made. Do many NFL fans remember how Tom Brady completed 92% of his passes in a single game? Not many. But, how many die-hard fans remember or are aware of when Bart Star pulled a quarterback sneak and fell into the end zone to win the Ice Bowl in negative twenty degree weather? Now we're talking.

Somehow, I think Rodgers would not have it any other way.

Gabe Lagarde.