The offenses out-performing the Packers with less talent have one thing in common: a star RB

The Green Bay Packers offense can’t be this bad. Not with Aaron Rodgers and Aaron Jones in the backfield and Matt LaFleur calling the shots. Sure, the offensive line leaks a little more than anyone would like and the receivers aren’t making any plays for their quarterback, but there are plenty of other teams doing more with less talent than the Packers have if for no other reason than those other teams don’t have the two Aarons. Why is that? And can the Packers copy it? It’s the other Aaron who holds the key.

Despite what was apparently Rodgers highest-graded game of the season, the Packers signal caller enters Week 8 sitting at 24th in EPA/play this season. That’s behind guys like Daniel Jones, Marcus Mariota, Jacoby Brissett, Cooper Rush and yes, Justin Fields. That’s bridge quarterbacks, backup quarterbacks, and are-we-sure-he’s-not-a-bust quarterback.

Sorry for the small text, but I’m not used to have to get 23 other names on the chart ahead of the four-time MVP.

In fairness to Aaron Rodgers, he’s dealing with shortcomings at the skill position. That’s a big problem. Among starters, the following QBs who are above Aaron Rodgers in EPA/play have higher drop rates: Tua Tagovailoa, Tannehill, Russell Wilson, Lamar Jackson, Daniel Jones, Jalen Hurts, Brissett and Fields.

To be sure Tua and Russ boast plenty of weapons as does Hurts. But all those quarterbacks are facing bigger drop issues than Rodgers on a per attempt basis and many of them have just as bad, if not worse, skill position talent.