Collapse the pocket, contain the QB, don't let Rodgers scramble. Cause Rodgers will often look directly at the pass rush, at the expense of looking downfield.
Denver was collapsing the pocket on Rodgers but weren't getting too greedy with the pass rush; which almost always opens up lanes for Rodgers to scramble, or find a clean throwing lane, when he's pressured. For all the talk about Rodgers footwork under pressure, no one really mentions his constant tendency to look directly at the rush as opposed to keeping his eyes downfield in these situations. Granted, it's hardly ever a negative for Rodgers. But Denver was really getting the best of Rodgers on this. The coverage was there, but Rodgers wasn't even challenging it. And Rodgers will challenge just about everything when he a throwing lane or is mobile. I've heard Collinsworth try and claim that Rodgers only had time to look to his first read before the rush got there. Hmm. Well, when you see the QB setting, and re-setting his stance -- sometimes 3x or 4xs over in one play -- he's getting enough time to look; he's just getting thrown off his game because he's looking into the rush to find a clean lane and he doesn't have room to take off. Denver wasn't letting him get what he wants.
Granted, if this is a "blueprint" for stopping Rodgers (and I hate that term) well, good luck trying trying to pull it off, cause constantly collapsing the pocket is no joke. Denver's D is really tough.
BTW - This reminded me of last year's playoff game Rodgers had vs Seattle. Rodgers couldn't run well due to injury. He was constantly looking at Seattle's pass rush, trying to scramble and find an open throwing lane. He just couldn't do it. He would look at the pressure far too often, as opposed to keeping his eyes downfield. He had a weak game. Granted, it was against Seattle's D.
