We Got It "Generally Right" but "Precisely Wrong"

 by Nick Webster

A week back we published a piece about Denico Autry blocking his 12th kick in the NFL, and lo and behold, he blocked another one this past weekend.  This caused us to go back and look across Autry's career to see about any interesting streaks.  What we found is that we missed a blocked kick in 2021 - actually on 1/2/2022 - in the 2021 season.

What's our process?  We go in every Sunday night (and Monday night following MNF) and scour the Gamebooks for Sacks, Tackles, PD's, Stuffs, Blocked Kicks, Ejections, all the fun stuff and then update our records weekly.  However, there are occasional adjustments made mid-week, a solo sack becomes shared, a PD is added, etc.  The NFL publishes these post-game changes usually on Wednesday after further film review.  In this circumstance, we missed one.

So, Denico Autry now stands at 14 career blocked kicks - and rather than this last one tying him with the great Julius Peppers it puts him one clear and all alone at 14 blocks in 10th-place all-time.  Nobody currently has 15, so his next block - if he has one - won't move him up the leaderboard, and he sits behind Wahoo McDaniel and Irv Cross who each have 16.  Given the spotty history in the 1960's (particularly in the AFL) it's possible Wahoo has one or two more than have been identified, but as best we know Denico is #10 in NFL history as a kick blocker.

Review—Warfare: Pro Football of the 1990s a book by Tom Danyluk

 By John Turney  

This fall, veteran football scribe Tom Danyluk delivers "Echo Warfare: Pro Football of the 1990s", a sweeping chronicle of the NFL's most chaotic and transformative decade, published a month-and-a-half ago on September 20.

Danyluk, whose prior works like The Super '70s (published in 2016) and 2022's "Majesty and Mayhem" (on the decade of the 1980s) have cemented his reputation for vivid, insider-driven histories, resurrects an era defined by labor battles, rapid expansion, and the rise of gladiatorial stars who redefined the game. So, a book on the 1990s was a must.

From the 1987 players' strike that reshaped free agency and the 1990s to the four-team bloodbath in Super Bowls XXVII–XXX—where the Buffalo Bills suffered their infamous quartet of defeats against the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers—Tom captures the decade's raw intensity. He bootstraps readers through the league's growth from 28 to 30 teams, spotlighting the debut of the Carolina Panthers and Jacksonville Jaguars, while chronicling the twilight of legends like John Elway and the dawn of Brett Favre's gunslinging reign.

What sets this apart from rote recaps is Danyluk's signature mosaic of voices: over 40 interviews with coaches, executives, and players, rendered in his Q&A style. These aren't sanitized soundbites; they're gritty confessions, like former commissioner Paul Tagliabue on navigating the TV rights wars that ballooned broadcast deals to $4.4 billion, or ex-Cowboys lineman Erik Williams dissecting the "Triplets" era's locker-room bravado amid off-field scandals. There are overlooked threads, such as the 1993 "Black Monday" firings that toppled coaches like Rich Kotite, and the cultural ripple of Nike's swoosh invasion on uniforms and endorsements.

The narrative pulses with the decade's dualities: the brutal physicality of the pre-concussion-awareness grind—evident in the 1994 NFC Championship's infamous "Body Bag Game"—juxtaposed against the sport's commercialization, from Michael Strahan's gap-toothed charisma to the Fox Network's upstart $1.5 billion grab of NFC rights. Danyluk excels at humanizing the machinery, detailing how Art Modell's Cleveland Browns relocation in 1995 ignited fan fury and league reforms, or how the 1999 merger talks with the XFL foreshadowed today's media behemoth.

Danyluk's archival sleuthing shines through in unearthed box scores from forgotten preseason skirmishes and the Oilers' Houston-to-Tennessee odyssey, culminating in the Titans' near-miss in Super Bowl XXXIV. Post-decade, he traces echoes into the 2000s, like how the 1990s' salary cap innovations stabilized the salary explosion that now pays quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes nine figures.

At 412 pages, including a robust index and endnotes, the paperback lists for $24.99. Lavishly illustrated with era-specific action shots—from Emmitt Smith's stiff-arms to Steve Young's scrambling scrambles—the volume timelines the NFL's evolution from blue-collar brawl to billion-dollar spectacle.

In an age of highlight-reel posts on X and fantasy leagues, "Echo Warfare" is a trenchant reminder of the 1990s' unfiltered ferocity, where parity was forged in fire and icons were minted in mud. Danyluk's new book isn't just history; it's also for appreciating the warriors who echo through every snap today. Essential reading for any gridiron aficionado hungry for the unvarnished roar of pro football's pivot point.

I loved Danyluk's previous works and this one is on par with those. Cough of the $25, it's worth it.

Book—Grange & Chicago Bears 1925-1926 Barnstorming Tour: 100th Anniversary Scrapbook

By John Turney

Eternal Flame: Grange's Barnstorming Odyssey Ignites a Century of Gridiron Glory

Historians Chris Willis and Darin L. Hayes—authors of eight and five prior volumes on early pro football, respectively—have crafted a masterful scrapbook that doesn't just tell the tale of the NFL's inaugural superstar, Red Grange, and his legendary barnstorming blitz; it resurrects it back to life.

The work entitled "Red Grange & Chicago Bears: 1925-1926 Barnstorming Tour–100th Anniversary Scrapbook" and it is outstanding, with excellent writing, visuals, and perhaps most importantly: Unwavering accuracy. Willis and Hayes see to that. 

In the pantheon of American sports icons, few burn as brightly or endure as steadfastly as Harold "Red" Grange, the humble halfback from Wheaton, Illinois, whose audacious leap to the pros catapulted the fledgling league from obscurity to national frenzy. Some, including Willis, believe that Grange was the NFL's first superstar and took the professional grid game to a higher level, much like Babe Ruth did for baseball.

This 2025 centennial tribute doesn't merely recount history; it resurrects it with the roar of sold-out stadiums, blending vivid biography, cultural snapshot, and financial forensics into an appreciative letter to the game's scrappy, Roaring '20s dawn, the Wild West days, if you will.

At its heart, the book chronicles Grange's whirlwind odyssey: a 22-year-old phenom, fresh off a Heisman-caliber senior season at the University of Illinois, signs with George Halas's Bears and launches a 19-game, cross-country gauntlet spanning two blistering months. 

From the frozen mud of Cubs Park to the sun-baked expanse of the L.A. Coliseum (drawing a record 75,000), the "Galloping Ghost"—Grantland Rice's poetic coinage after Grange's five-TD evisceration of Michigan in 1924—hauled the nascent NFL into the spotlight. Hayes and Willis frame this not as rote athletics but as the blueprint for modern celebrity: early college exit, agent wrangling, endorsement windfalls, Hollywood flirtations, and a rookie payday eclipsing era norms.

What catapults this scrapbook beyond nostalgia is its archival alchemy. Sourcing from private troves—Sternaman family ledgers, Coolley's contracts, even Pyle's curt telegrams—the authors dismantle myths with surgical precision. 

The book explains how Grange wasn't a solo act; he boasted three managers (the flamboyant promoter C.C. "Cash and Carry" Pyle; "Doc" Coolley, his college confidant; and theater maven Byron Moore), a bombshell substantiated by a full facsimile of their six-page 1925 "power of attorney" pact. The initial cut: Grange at 40%, Pyle 25%, Coolley and Moore 17.5% each—until post-tour haggling shrank the latter pair's share, ending in a "divorce" where Pyle shelled out $25,000 to buy them out. 

Gate stubs (e.g., $49,669 from Grange's Thanksgiving pro debut) and expense tallies morph the narrative into a ledger of greed, exposing how Pyle's avarice (eight games in ten days) nearly felled his golden goose with the breakneck speed tour, one in which Grange did get injured.

The chronicle races through the tour's triptych—frenetic East (injury-riddled), sunny South (sparsely attended), triumphant West—with per-game vignettes fusing play-by-plays, crowd fervor, and epochal vignettes. 

Rain-lashed Shibe Park swells to 35,000 in Philadelphia; Miami's half-built Coral Gables draws a mere 8,000 sweat-soaked souls. Yet Hayes and Willis infuse humanity amid the havoc: Grange's boyish blush at the White House with Calvin Coolidge, his raccoon-coat bravado, or the Bears' equine escapades in California. (Read the book for details)

Celebrities abound—Babe Ruth dispensing fame's hard truths; Douglas Fairbanks mid-huddle—evoking an era when Grange eclipsed Dempsey and Ruth as a media leviathan. Yes, he was that popular.

The authors' prose crackles with wry understatement—"Pyle's motto: 'Let's get the money, boys'"—debunking some exaggerations, such as: the tour didn't "save" the NFL (post-Grange dips proved that), but it validated pro football's star-powered viability, luring All-Americans like Ernie Nevers into the fray.

Visually, this volume treasure trove, full of things I love: Facsimile tickets, reproductions of game program covers, yellowed clippings (e.g., Rice's "Galloping Ghost" poem), team photos, and even a 1926 "divorce" contract adds tactile heft. One standout: a telegram from Pyle to Coolley, curtly settling scores. It's a hoarder's delight, being one myself, I'd know.

More than a biography, the book doubles as a legacy and review of Grange's accomplishments later in life—as coach, broadcaster, charter Hall of Famer, and pension crusader—prefigures today's polymaths. 

The emotional apex: a 1985 missive from Halas anointing him the "Eternal Flame of Professional Football," a sobriquet that underscores the thesis: enduring greatness lies not in stats but in unassuming grace. 

Willis and Hayes don't merely commemorate; they rekindle the pulse—the Polo Grounds' 70,000-strong thunder, press-box clatter, a Wheaton iceman forging football's inaugural icon. Grange feared oblivion, but this luminous scrapbook will ensure the Ghost gallops into the consciences of younger NFL fans. 

As far as structure, it's basically logical and chronological, with each chapter covering one of the 19 games of the tour, going from Chicago to St. Louis, then the northeast -- Philly, the Big Apple, D.C., etc. Then the what is now called "Rust Belt" cities, followed by dates in Florida and the Big Easy. And finally, the major West Coast cities from San Diego north to Seattle. For me, that makes it particularly enjoyable. 

At under 200 brisk pages, including an exhaustive bibliography, it is a page-turner for NFL diehards, Illinois faithful, Bears fans, or Roaring '20s romantics, all for about $20.

I give it 5/5 stars: A gridiron gospel of grit, gall, and grandeur—fire up the grill, pop a cold one, and hear the roar of fedora-clad gents and Panama-hatted swells, flappers draped on their arms, cheering the Ghost's eternal gallop.

TUESDAY TIDBITS: "No Matter What You Do, It's Gonna Grab Ahold On You"

By TJ Troup 

John Brodie

There are weeks when writing this column feels more inspired than others, and this is one of those weeks. When you get to write about your favorite rivalry in all of sports, in this case the Rams vs. 49ers, Yippee! Gonna start with the passing of Bob Trumpy. Purchased his book at a flea market for a dollar, and found his insightful and at times comedic book a joy to read. 

His formative years in high school in both track & field and basketball to being teammates with Butkus at Illinois, to being drafted by the expansion Bengals in '68 and the success he had with different quarterbacks under the guidance of Bill Walsh. Enjoyed him as an analyst on broadcasts since he really understood the game and would not shy away with his cryptic comments. RIP Bob! 

Since the Bengals were mentioned, for a moment lets take a look at the 2025 Cincinnati Bengals and more specifically the direction they are headed? I would relish it if any of you could share your thoughts on whether you believe this porous defense will allow more than 500 points this year. 

Watching the Bears rally? Well that's the word I'll use, and win in the Queen City on Sunday was amazing. How so, you ask? Everyone who has ever played defensive back can share stories about pursuit and tackling in a game; and most importantly, tackles made and tackles missed. 

Stone & Battle complete abject failure on the winning touchdown pass to Loveland will be replayed many times. Out of position? Poor tackling? Wrong pursuit angle? or d) all of the above. Which takes me back to Mike Brown and Bengal management, as Mike Brown was 15 years old when the Browns won the title in 1950, and 40 when the Bengals with Trumpy earned a playoff berth in 1975. Will Joe Burrow seek a trade? 

Dick Nolan, 49ers' coach

The San Francisco 49ers, under the direction of Dick Nolan, made progress in 1968 in the Coastal Division, and after seven games in 1969, have won only one game. Kermit Alexander earned a Pro Bowl berth in 1968 and paired with Jimmy Johnson at left corner the Niners should be able to play rock-solid pass defense, but with Alexander injured, second-year man Johnny Woitt starts the November 9th game in the Coliseum against the undefeated Rams. Since Randolph & Phillips, the two starting safeties lack speed, the Niners trade excellent guard Howard Mudd to the Bears for Roosevelt Taylor (another George Allen favorite who was in "Dooley's Dog House". 

Taylor will start late in the season and earn the Len Eshmont award in 1970, but that is a story for another time. Back to November 9th. First offensive play for the Rams, Wendell Tucker is wide open, and I mean wide damn open and scores on a 93-yard play from Roman Gabriel. San Francisco, led by veteran "gun slinger" John Brodie, takes the Niners on a nine-play 79-yard drive to score as Brodie reads right linebacker Jim Purnell's blitz and delivers a pass to a wide-open Ken Willard. Merlin Olsen blocks the extra point attempt. 

The Rams advance 89 yards in just six plays to score on a 35-yard pass from Gabriel to Les Josephson on a circle route and increase the lead to 14-6 (key play was Gabriel to Snow for 57 yards). Niners can't move and punt, and here come the white & blue clad Rams down the field with the Los Angeles running game pounding away for 42 yards, and on 4th and five from the San Francisco seven, Gossett kicks a 15-yard field goal. Second and seven at his own twenty-seven and Brodie finds rookie Gene Washington open and rifles a pass to him, which gains 52 yards. 

Gene Washington

When the drive stalls, Gavric splits the uprights from 32 yards. Rams 17--49ers 9. Gabriel again moves the Rams on a sustained march to Niner twenty-three and on 4th and sixteen, Gossett drills home a 39-yard field goal. Brodie will not be deterred today, even against a defense as strong as the Rams. San Francisco is finally stopped at the Los Angeles seventeen-yard line when David "Deacon" Jones deflects Brodie's pass and veteran strong safety Richie Petitbon intercepts. 

Richie Petitbon

There is no further scoring in the first half, and as the teams head to their respective locker rooms in the Coliseum, the Rams lead 20 to 9. San Francisco has gained just 27 yard rushing in the first half (Rams gained 55), but the key to this game is going to be which quarterback can be the best "gunslinger" as Gabriel gained 209 passing, and Brodie 190 with the strong offensive line of the Niners protecting the veteran passer so well, nary a sack by the Ram pass rush. 

San Francisco goes three and out first possession of the 3rd quarter, but so do the Rams. Second down and three to go when Brodie's errant pass is pilfered by Eddie Meador, and the veteran All-Pro safety weaves, twists and fights his way into the end zone to up the ante to 27-9. No doubt the Niners are finished. No team can come back against a George Allen defense down by 18, right? Oh, John Brodie can? 

Here come the Niners advancing 80 yards in eight plays. Tight end Bob Windsor gains 30 before Petitbon can knock him out of bounds. Willard scores from the three going off right tackle. Rams 27-- 49ers 16. Late in the quarter, Los Angeles begins another touchdown march which culminates on an 8 yard strike to Snow who easily beat Johnny Woitt's coverage on a square-in. Rams 34-49ers 16. 

Brodie has the hot hand today and twice in the 4th quarter led the Niners into the end zone with short touchdown tosses to Windsor & running back Bill Tucker. Los Angeles 34 San Francisco 30. Can the Niners get the ball back for Brodies one more time, and pull off the road upset at the hands of the undefeated Rams? 

The league MVP in 1969 will be Roman Gabriel, and offensive coordinator Ted Marchibroda has schooled Gabe into using his backs as receivers and on 1st and ten from his own seventeen, he flips to Tommy Mason in the right flat (on the NFL Films weekly highlight show, the "old pro), and he dashes and weaves 55 yards to the 49er twenty-eight-yard line before a hustling Dave Wilcox hauls him down. Gabriel on a rollout right (one of his most productive plays), runs 9 yards for the final touchdown of the game. Brodie's final drive ends with him being sacked by Olsen & Brown on 4th down at his own twenty-seven. 

Three times at this point in the rivalry, the Rams scored at least 41 points against the 49ers and in all three games, a Ram had returned at least one interception for a touchdown. The compelling drama between these two teams, no matter the record, is spelled out in that going into this game, the Rams had won 12, the Niners had 11 with one tie, the last 24 times they had played. To this day, when these two teams lock horns, there is an impact on the standings. Hopefully, this will happen this Sunday the 9th of November, 2025!

Bet you can guess who will be watching the game.

Packers Come Up Short in Low-Possession Game

 By Eric Goska

Even St. Vince couldn't help the Packers against the Panthers.
(photos by Eric Goska)

Possessions were at a premium Sunday at Lambeau Field.

In a game that boasted fewer drives than any other in the stadium’s history, Carolina outlasted Green Bay 16-13. Ryan Fitzgerald’s 49-yard field goal as time expired proved the difference.

A 13.5 point favorite, the Packers were expected to make quick work of the Panthers. Instead, they seized up in the red zone, settling for field goals or worse when more was needed.

Green Bay registered only one touchdown in its five trips beyond Carolina’s 20-yard line. That success came late as Josh Jacobs crashed into the end zone from a yard out to knot the score at 13-13 with two minutes, 32 seconds remaining.

The Panthers countered by using eight plays and the remaining clock to set up Fitzgerald’s game-winning field goal.

Early in the game, Fox color analyst Greg Olsen offered his take on what Carolina needed to do to win.

“I think the best way to stop this Green Bay offense right now with the way they’re humming is just let Jordan Love and company stand on the sidelines.”

Though Love and the Packers won the time of possession battle by 20 seconds, they, like the Panthers, only mounted seven drives. Each was of utmost importance.

Twice, Green Bay squandered possessions with turnovers. Savion Williams lost a fumble at the Carolina 16 midway through the first quarter and Love threw an interception into traffic midway through the third.

Twice, the Packers came up empty on fourth down. Brandon McManus missed a 43-yard field goal attempt in the third quarter and Love failed to connect with Romeo Doubs from the Panthers 13 early in the fourth quarter.

Carolina also failed to come away with points on four of its advances. But the Panthers fared better in the red zone with Rico Dowdle registering rushing touchdowns on two of its three trips there.

Coming out of halftime, Olsen said this of Carolina.

“The Panthers did exactly what we said they should do, right? They want to make this a low-possession game, kind of muddy it up, make it ugly, because it’s probably your best chance of hanging in there and being competitive down the stretch.”

Low-possession game indeed. The 14 combined drives by Green Bay and Carolina set the record for the fewest in any regular-season game at Lambeau Field.

This type of game is becoming more common. Fewer turnovers, better field position following kickoffs, high-percentage passing attacks, and more fourth-down conversions have paved the way for longer, more time-consuming drives.

The number of games in which the Packers have had fewer than 10 possessions has gone up from 38 between 1975 and 2010 to 43 in the last 15 years. Green Bay is 25-18 in such games since 2011.

The Packers’ next opponent, Philadelphia, knows how to limit the competition. It has held four opponents to fewer than 10 possessions this season while notching victories over the Cowboys, Chiefs, Vikings and Giants.

Dispossessed
Fewest offensive possessions by Green Bay and its opponent in a regular-season game at Lambeau Field.
No.        Date (possessions by team)              Result
14           Nov. 2, 2025 (GB 7, Panthers 7)               GB lost, 13-16

15           Nov. 1, 2020 (GB 8, Vikings 7)                  GB lost, 22-28
15           Dec. 3, 2023 (GB 7, Chiefs 8)                    GB won, 27-19
16           Sept. 10, 1989 (GB 8, Buccaneers 8)       GB lost, 21-23
16           Oct. 5, 2003 (GB 8, Seahawks 8)             GB won, 35-13

TUESDAY TIDBITS: "Finish What You Start"

By TJ Troup 

Myles Garrett

Every week during the season, there are players that are valiant in their performance, though the team they play for loses. Myles Garrett's 5 sacks last Sunday sure will make him a key figure in the voting for Defensive Player of the Year, and of course, we know that there has never been a player from a losing team win that award. Right? Oh, there was a player? 

Many of you have probably watched film of Richard Marvin Butkus, and maybe even some footage from both 1969 and 1970, when the Bears won 7 and lost 21 over those two seasons. Dickie Boy (my nickname for him) was the Defensive Player of the Year, voted by NEA. 

Thus, Mr. Garrett has a chance. At this point in my life, there is not a player that would want me as his agent, yet would have advised Mr. Garrett to leave Cleveland and to either Detroit or San Francisco and be treated like royalty under a dedicated coaching staff, and thus have a chance to eventually play for the "Silver Trophy". 

Is there any doubt that so far this season, the surprise team is the Indianapolis Colts. This coming Sunday, the Colts journey to Pittsburgh for a key game (aren't they all key games at this point for contending teams?), and if the Colts achieve victory, they will join the Colts teams of the past that have also won on November 2nd. Bet all you folks can guess where I am going with this saga? So, let's journey back to earlier days in Colt history. 

We will start in 1958 when the BALTIMORE Colts are at home against a woeful Packers team led by Scooter McLean. Half-time and Colts are ahead 28-0, and with the motivated depth on this very special team, they also score 28 in the second half in the 56-0 whitewash. 

How strong was the depth on this Baltimore team, you ask? Johnny Hightops is injured and George Shaw has a strong game. Anytime Raymond Berry & Lenny Moore combine for only 4 catches and 90 yards, the thought would be the Colts struggled to move the ball and score? Not on this Sunday.

Possibly, Green Bay should look at new leadership for the Packers. There is an offensive coach in New York doing a super job; maybe he would be interested? November 2nd, 1969 the Colts are struggling at 3-4, but hammer the 'Skins under Lombardi 41-17 and finish with a winning record. 

November 2nd, 1975, will be the focal point of this saga, as to this day the Baltimore Colts of 1975 remain one of the best comeback stories ever in league history. Enter Ted Marchibroda as the new head coach, and though they start 1-4, this team of talent, camaraderie and outstanding creative leadership by Marchibroda will win the East and earn a playoff berth. I was in the Coliseum to watch this Colt team battle the Rams for four quarters before succumbing. It was one helluva game to watch. 

Over the years have been very fortunate to "talk" to former coaches and players, and at a Hall of Fame function had the honor to talk with coach Marchibroda. He was humble, yet he shared his vision of what that Colt team could do. We discussed his impressive background, and of course, his thoughts on defensive & offensive strategy, especially how Lydell Mitchell was his "weapon" in advancing the ball. The title of this saga is a quote from him during that season of destiny. 

One of the key improvements in the Baltimore defense was the play of middle linebacker Jim Cheyunski. During an in-depth phone conversation with Cheyunski, we discussed his role and of course, the performance of the "Sack Pack". 

How he stabilized the linebacking corps and helped with the coverage concepts utilized by a very improved pass defense. Ranking dead last in '74 with a defensive passer rating of 85.3(league average was 64.2) to 7th in 1975 with a mark of 56.9 (league average was 65.8). Was sure an enjoyable talk with Cheyunski, filled with fascinating stories. 

There have been so many excellent NFL Films season highlight films done by a talented group of producers, yet the '75 Colt film stands out since Steve Sabol did not hand the ball off to a producer, he directed the film (he was a life-time Baltimore Colt fan), and on one of my visits to "Films" we talked about those Colt teams from that era. 

November 2nd, 2003 the Colts defeated Miami 23-17 to improve to 7-1 and that team advanced to the AFC title game. November 2nd, 2008, the Colts defeated the Patriots 18-15 to even the slate at 4-4, and they proceeded to win out to finish 12-4 under Tony Dungy. So, will November 2nd, 2025, be another victory day for a Colt team that so far this year has demonstrated they can and will win games?

Aaron Rodgers Comes Up Short in Pittsburgh

 By Eric Goska

Sunday in Pittsburgh, Aaron Rodgers became the 24th ex-Packer
to throw a pass against his former team.
(photo by Chip Manthey)

Aaron Rodgers matched wits with his previous employer in prime time and came away empty-handed. The league’s elder statesman – he’ll turn 42 in December – played every offensive snap as his Steelers succumbed to the visiting Packers 35-25 at Acrisure Stadium.

The game, an intriguing matchup when the schedule was released, took on an added dimension when Rodgers signed with Pittsburgh in June. Sunday night, the four-time NFL MVP who spent 18 seasons with the Packers added his name to the list of those who played both for and against the Green and Gold.

Suiting up against Green Bay after having played there occurs more often than one might think. Excluding 1939 and 1951, at least one ex-Packer has returned to play against his former team every season since 1922.

Emmett Keefe was the first. The 5-foot-10, 195-pounder opened at left guard for the Packers against the Chicago Staleys on Nov. 27, 1921. Ten months later, he started at the same position for the Rock Island Independents when they hosted Green Bay on Oct. 1, 1922.

Keefe, a lineman in the early days of pro football, went largely unnoticed. Rodgers, a quarterback headed for Canton, cannot escape the spotlight.

Brett Favre warms up before facing the Vikings in 2007.
(photo by Eric Goska)

In Pittsburgh, Rodgers became the first Packers quarterback since Brett Favre in 2010 to compete against his old team. He is one of 24 players to have played for and then returned to throw a pass against the Green and Gold.

One small aside, before we continue. For this article, we are considering only those who played in at least one regular-season game for the Packers. So players such as Rick Mirer (active but did not play in 1998) or Aaron Brooks (active but did not play in 1999) do not qualify.

So, with that out of the way, how did Rodgers’ performance stack up? It was a tale of two halves, one in which he was forced to carry the offensive load in the final two quarters.

Rodgers compiled a passer rating of 101.5 by completing 24 of 36 passes for 219 yards and two touchdowns. He connected with nine different receivers with his favorite target, D.J. Metcalf, hauling in five for 55 yards.

In the first half, Rodgers could pick and choose when to throw as Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell churned out 81 yards rushing on 15 carries (5.4 average). The veteran quarterback completed 11 of 15 passes for 102 yards and a touchdown (113.8 rating).

But as Jordan Love and the Packers’ offense found their footing – Green Bay scored on five of its six second-half possessions – Rodgers was forced to pass more frequently. His ground game all but gone (3 carries for 12 yards), Rodgers fired 21 passes, completing 13 for 117 yards and a score (92.8 rating).

The bulk (70) of Rodgers’ second-half yardage came in the final four minutes after the Packers had gone up 35-19. Rodgers zipped a 21-yard scoring pass to Roman Wilson, but Green Bay drained the final two minutes, seven seconds to close out the game.

Rodgers and the Steelers converted only one of 10 third downs, missing their last nine in a row. On six of those occasions, Pittsburgh needed 10 or more yards to gain a fresh set of downs.

In launching 36 throws, Rodgers became the 13th former Packer to throw at least 15 passes in a game against his former team. In coming up short, the California native failed to join Mike Tomczak (1992), Ty Detmer (1997) and Brett Favre (twice in 2009) as quarterbacks who returned to defeat the Packers.

Extra Point
Red Smith was the first ex-Packer to throw a pass against his old team. On Nov. 22, 1931, Smith failed to connect with Hap Moran late in the third quarter of a 14-10 loss to Green Bay in the Polo Grounds.

Extra Point
Twenty-four ex-Packers returned to throw at least one pass against their former team: Red Smith (1), Bo Molenda (1), Cy Casper (4), Swede Johnston (1), Harry Mattos (3), Frank Balasz (1), Arnie Herber (6), Bobby Thomason (42), Babe Parilli (3), Tobin Rote (85), Lamar McHan (40), John Roach (10), Dennis Claridge (11), Don Horn (33), Scott Hunter (39), Mike Tomczak (21), Mark Brunell (118), Ty Detmer (43), Don Majkowski (32), Craig Hentrich (1), Matt Hasselbeck (120), Terry Glenn (1), Brett Favre (126) and Aaron Rodgers (36).

High-Yield Returns
Former Packers quarterbacks who compiled a passer rating of 100 or more points against the Packers in a regular-season game (minimum 20 pass attempts)

Date                   Quarterback     Rating   Team            Result
Oct. 5, 2009        Brett Favre            135.3       Vikings          GB lost, 23-30
Nov. 1, 2009       Brett Favre            128.6       Vikings          GB lost, 26-38
Oct. 5, 1958        Tobin Rote            102.5        Lions             GB tied, 13-13
Oct. 26, 2025     Aaron Rodgers     101.5        Steelers         GB won, 35-25