Green Bay Packers superstar quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been cleared to play in Week 15 versus the Carolina Panthers. There had been plenty of speculation leading up to the decision as to whether or not the conservative Packers' brass would be willing to take the risk despite the urging of their franchise quarterback.
However, they followed through on Rodgers' wishes the day he came off the IR. Although it may have come as a surprise to some, Panthers head coach Ron Rivera knew the outcome once the situation had presented itself, according to NFL Network reporter Tom Pelissero:
On conference call, #Panthers coach Ron Rivera said he expected Aaron Rodgers to start Sunday based on how #Packers had presented the situation. “S***, I’m not surprised. Not one bit.” Expects Rodgers to be on his game.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 13, 2017
That said, Rivera likely had the Panthers defense game-planning around Rodgers all week. It goes without saying that Green Bay relied much more on the run game with backup quarterback Brett Hundley at the helm, which would have paid huge dividends for Carolina's formidable front-seven.
However, they will almost certainly go back to their pass-heavy ways with Rodgers now back. Needless to say, the Packers offense suddenly looks much scarier than it has in his absence.
It is an interesting week, to say the least for both teams. Carolina will need to do what it can in order to potentially win the crowded NFC South. Meanwhile, winning out may be Green Bay's only shot at making this year's playoffs.
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