SmashMouth

The charmed existence of Titletown, circa 2009-13, might well have shattered Monday night.

The Green Bay Packers, after all, have built four postseason appearances, two consecutive NFC North titles and one Super Bowl victory around the most elite quarterback play imaginable. The Packers without Aaron Rodgers? Oh no. Oh no. Oh no. Oh no, no no no no no no no.

They've already lost one game without him, a 27-20 defeat to the Chicago Bears on Monday, and quite frankly, the Packers face a difficult road to the playoffs if his injured left shoulder sidelines him for a significant time.


Rodgers suffered the injury on the final play of the game's opening possession, and backup Seneca Wallace produced the Packers' worst passing performance since 2008. Now 5-3, the Packers are tied with the Bears and Detroit Lions atop the NFC North, with games remaining at the home stadiums of both division rivals. An optimist might cling to the Packers' schematic infrastructure and offensive track record, but that's nothing more than blind faith. Rodgers is the centerpiece of both.

"He's the best quarterback in the league," defensive tackle B.J. Raji said. "Take what you want from that."

As of late Monday night, there was nothing official about Rodgers' status. Coach Mike McCarthy refused to speculate on the nature or severity of the injury, insisting that more tests were necessary. I suppose it's possible the Packers will give an all-clear tomorrow. Again, however, that seems more like blind faith. McCarthy's pursed postgame lips and snappy responses suggested genuine concern.

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