Last Tuesday, Aaron Rodgers talked briefly about how his matchup with Tom Brady isn’t really a matchup. Rodgers will likely say something similar this week with Pat McAfee and A.J. Hawk. Rodgers feels like because Brady doesn’t play defense, this is not a matchup against each other. Rather, Rodgers is facing off against the Todd Bowles defense while Brady is taking on Mike Pettine. This is true. But quarterback matchups matter when talking about a potential for a great game, and let’s be real, both quarterbacks want to prove their the superior player.

It is unlikely that we will get a great game if Brady and Rodgers both struggle on Sunday afternoon. If both of the quarterbacks do not perform like it is expected they will, the game will likely not be as entertaining as it would be with both quarterbacks playing well. If we get an all-out shootout between Brady and Rodgers, that is going to be considered an instant classic and something people will want to watch over and over again. A good example of this was when Brady came to Green Bay and they went back and forth all game. Brady and Rodgers were both excellent in that game.

Quarterbacks can also say that matchups aren’t about the guy across the other line of the offense, but it’s bullshit. Rodgers wants to beat Brady. Same with wanting to take down Russell Wilson, Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Drew Brees (Already happened), Matthew Stafford, Matt Ryan. There is an element of wanting to show you’re the big swinging dick in the cracker factor. So even when they say ‘The matchup is about the defense’, they want to take the down opposition. Think back to how much it meant to Aaron Rodgers to beat Brett Favre back when he played for Minnesota. They can deflect all they want about how this isn’t important, but deep down, they care about how they’re viewed by everyone else.

And this will be a great measuring stick to see how people feel about both quarterbacks. If Rodgers wins and Brady loses, the MVP talk grows for the Packers’ legend plus maybe the continued talk of Brady being washed. If Brady wins, it is the return of the king, and Tampa is starting to figure their season out. Regardless of what they both think, it will be about the quarerteback.

Charlie.