Aaron Rodgers: Packers Star QB Will Catch Fire and Destroy Giants Defense

Aaron Rodgers is an absolute stud quarterback, and he's going to torch the New York Giants defense in the 2012 playoffs.

That's right folks, the Pack are back in the playoffs, and you better believe that they're ready to defend their Super Bowl title.

The scary part is—they are fully capable of doing so.

Most teams have to fight to get into the playoffs, and just making it to the Super Bowl would be an accomplishment, let alone winning it.

And then there's the Packers...

If there is a team out there that was built to make multiple Super Bowl runs, it is this team, and it all revolves around the man under center.

Rodgers is already heralded as one of the best quarterbacks in the league, if not the best, and with the potential of yet another epic Super Bowl run, he could become one of the best the game has seen, already.

That may seems like somewhat of a premature statement, but consider the fact that we put Tom Brady in that category years ago, and winning a ring this year would put Rodgers right behind him.

Before we get too far ahead of ourselves, though, let me put this into perspective.

Step by step Packers fans.

Step One: Beat the New York Giants

The Packers have a great chance to win the Super Bowl again this season, but it all starts by beating the New York Giants.

The Giants won their spot by beating out the Cowboys in a very disappointing and flawed NFC East division, and then absolutely dismantled the Atlanta Falcons 24-2 in the Wildcard round.

They have Super Bowl experience and are led by quarterback Eli Manning, who has a variety of weapons and a solid running game at his disposal.

What makes the Giants so dangerous to the Packers is their defensive front.

They are arguably the most aggressive and quick front in the league, led by Jason Pierre-Paul and his 16.5 sacks, Osi Umenyiora and his nine sacks, and Justin Tuck and his five sacks.

These guys get after the passer, and there is no doubting that they're going to be coming after Rodgers all day.

How Rodgers Will Counter

The biggest advantage Rodgers gives the Packers against the pass rush is his quick release.

He's got one of the fastest releases in football, and the Packers are notorious for running quick slants and other patterns that cater to that.

The best way to keep the pass rush away from Rodgers is to make sure he doesn't have the ball for that long.

Expect a ton of slant patterns and short outs to receivers like Donald Driver, Jordy Nelson and James Jones.

Oh, and look for his patented back-shoulder throw.

Jermichael Finley

I expect Finley is going to have a huge impact on this game. For as good as the Giants are on the defensive front, they are weak at linebacker.

That means Finley is going to be set up with some incredible mismatches against the likes of Michael Boley, Chase Blackburn and Mathias Kiwanuka.

Look for Rodgers to go to Finley early and often in the middle of the field. If he can get behind the linebackers and in front of the safeties, Finley is going to be a dangerous target.

Home Field Advantage/ Health

Like it or not, the Packers are developing quite a home field advantage. They didn't lose a game this season at Lambeau, and this is going to be a crowd that's anxious to finally see some playoff action at home.

Remember, the Packers Super Bowl route went through the road last year, so having these games at home is going to be a big deal.

Don't forget that this will be a rested and healthy team as well, as many of the starters didn't play the final game, and they had a first-round bye.

Rodgers will be rested and will have star wide receiver Greg Jennings back, who I'm sure is itching to get in the end zone.

Conclusion

The Giants are going to put up quite a fight, and I think they'll be able to put some points on the board.

In the end, we are talking about Aaron Rodgers, though, the very same quarterback that put up 4,643 yards, 45 touchdowns and only six interceptions on the way to a 15-1 regular season.

The Giants are good, but Rodgers is much better.

I expect him to pick up where he left of in last years playoffs, and have a huge, MVP-like game.