Is There Any Hope for Slowing Down Aaron Rodgers?

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers already has nine touchdown throws this season. At his current pace, he will pass his touchdown total from 2019 and 2018 by the end of Week 10.

In all likelihood, Rodgers will slow his pace, but barring a health issue, he is set to throw at least 30 touchdowns for the first time since 2016. Behind this pace, the Packers are setting offensive records -- 122 points through three games, 40.7 points per game and 459.7 yards per contest.

There isn't a defense in the league that appears capable of slowing down Rodgers and the Packers, let alone stopping them altogether, but it will be extra challenging for the Falcons, who come into the week ranked 31st in total defense.

The Falcons' hopes of holding the Packers under 40 points Monday night seem pinned on the fact Green Bay is dealing with multiple injuries at wide receiver. Even then, the way Rodgers is playing, and Green Bay's running game, Matt Ryan and the Falcons must be ready to score a lot to avoid falling to 0-4.

With Packers top wide receiver Davante Adams missing Sunday night's affair, Allen Lazard shined, playing 59 of 62 offensive snaps against the New Orleans Saints. In the Green Bay win, Lazard caught six passes for 146 yards and a touchdown.

Throwing to Lazard this season, Rodgers has posted a perfect 158.3 passer rating, according to Pro Football Focus.

But Lazard has been ruled out this Monday with a core-muscle injury. He will require surgery and will miss multiple games.

The Packers are thin at wide receiver, which makes the health of Adams even more important against the Falcons. He has practiced in limited fashion this week according to Packer Maven, making it sound likely that he will dress Monday night.

In Week 1, Adams dominated, recording 14 receptions and two touchdowns against the Vikings, who are just a little statistically better than the Falcons defense, at 30th in the NFL. If Adams plays, cornerback Isaiah Oliver will likely shadow Adams. Oliver has been inconsistent through three games, but he will have to play very well to help slow down the Packers offense.

With no Lazard, more snaps will go to Darrius Shepherd and Malik Taylor, who have a combined one career catch. Marquez Valdes-Scantling had four receptions and 96 yards with a touchdown in Week 1, but without Adams against the Saints, Valdes-Scantling only had one catch for five yards.

The strategy for Atlanta's defense seems obvious: Double cover Adams to force the inexperienced Packers receivers to win 1-on-1 battles. However, Quinn and the Falcons' defensive plan should be fluid. If it becomes clear the Packers are simply using Adams as a decoy, then less attention could go to his side of the field.

The Falcons will also have to plan for Packers tight end Robert Tonyan. He only has seven catches, but he's scored two touchdowns this season. Veteran tight end Marcedes Lewis also has a touchdown, but he has not been practicing this week.

As much as Rodgers and the passing game should concern Dan Quinn, the Green Bay ground game could be equally problematic. Packers running back Aaron Jones is second in the league with 303 rushing yards, to go along with 95 receiving yards. He is also tied for the league lead with four rushing touchdowns.

The Falcons rank 13th in rushing yards this season, but assuming Adams plays, Quinn will have to deploy many of his defensive resources to stopping the Packers passing attack. Even though the Falcons front seven has played well against the run, that could leave Atlanta susceptive to allowing big plays to Jones.

Still, in theory, the Packers won't score as quickly with a featured ground game instead of a focused downfield air attack. Shortening the game by encouraging the Packers to run 25-30 times may be Atlanta's best chance of keeping pace with the highest scoring offense in the NFL.

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