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The NFL’s top five most shocking performances from week one

By Sayre Bedinger

GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 09: Running back Adrian Peterson #26 of the Washington Redskins slips by defensive back Tre Boston #33 of the Arizona Cardinals during the third quarter at State Farm Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 09: Running back Adrian Peterson #26 of the Washington Redskins slips by defensive back Tre Boston #33 of the Arizona Cardinals during the third quarter at State Farm Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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GREEN BAY, WI – SEPTEMBER 09: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers reacts after throwing a touchdown pass to Randall Cobb #18 during the fourth quarter of a game against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field on September 9, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WI – SEPTEMBER 09: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers reacts after throwing a touchdown pass to Randall Cobb #18 during the fourth quarter of a game against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field on September 9, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers

Consider this string of events:

Aaron Rodgers signs the richest contract for a player in NFL history.

Rodgers and the Packers get off to a slow start at home in the season opener.

The Chicago Bears’ pass rush gets to Rodgers and knocks him out of the game. Rodgers rides back into the locker room on a cart, and the Packers head into halftime with a 17-point deficit.

To say things were tense at Lambeau field on Sunday night would be the understatement of the year. The Packers’ franchise quarterback, whose absence has caused the team to flutter in recent years, appeared to suffer a pretty significant injury and it looked like the Packers might have to deal with him being gone for a longer period of time than the halftime break.

After halftime, the Packers trailed 20-0 and still trailed 20-3 heading into the fourth quarter.

And then Rodgers happened.

On a bum leg, Rodgers made an incredible throw deep down the right side of the field for a touchdown to Geronimo Allison for the Packers’ first touchdown of the season.

With just over nine minutes left in the game, Rodgers hit Davante Adams in the red zone for his second touchdown pass of the game to cut the Packers’ deficit to just three points.

Then, with the game on the line following a great drive by the Bears that resulted in a field goal, Rodgers somehow found a window to get the ball to Randall Cobb whose man dove for the ball. Cobb took a split second to look back to see if he was actually all alone, and took off for the end zone.

The Packers took a one-point lead and held it through regulation.

Rodgers’ heroic performance will be talked about for a long time.

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