Aaron Rodgers' maximizing on his mastery at the line

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He got the Saints in the first quarter on the game's opening possession to turn a third-and-7 into a third-and-2, which was easily converted and led to a field goal. Two weeks ago at Minnesota, he got two gift first downs and a free play that turned into a long completion to Marquez Valdes-Scantling.


While Rodgers acknowledged after the game he misses the fans and the environment they provide, home and away, the unique circumstances continue to work in the Packers' favor with an elite, veteran quarterback who's a master manipulator at the line of scrimmage.


"I mentioned that early in training camp. I feel like it was going to be an advantage for guys like myself with who have cadence that can be rhythmic enough to draw people offside," he said. "At the bare minimum, it definitely keeps them at bay. They're not really able to jump the snap count, which, for us, is all it needs to do. It's a new world we're living in, playing in."


It looks like a new offense, too, though it's one Rodgers simply has greater command of than he did a year ago in Head Coach Matt LaFleur's first year at the helm.


Thus far, the Packers have scored 122 points, the most in team history in the first three games of a season. The offense has put up 113 of them (with the defense getting nine on a safety and INT-TD) and is just shy of 1,400 yards to date.


Putting up 369 yards and 37 points without receiver Davante Adams is a statement in its own right, and with LaFleur talking throughout the offseason about putting an emphasis on third downs after repeated struggles in that phase last year, the Packers have converted exactly 50% thus far (17-of-34).


"I think the flow of the calls has been really important to our success," Rodgers said. "I can't underscore that enough, it's really been a good flow of the calls with Matt.


"I really like the timing on certain calls. You've got to dig deep at certain times and hold onto something and trust the players. I really appreciate the flow we had tonight and trust in us to make the plays. Tonight we did."