Green Bay Packers: Is Aaron Rodgers Underappreciated?

While the NFL season has reached the halfway point, there are numerous topics that have been simmering on various media outlets across the country. 

The sideshow that is Tim Tebow has taken on a life of its own, with the public seemingly more divided than a political debate. 

Other stories dominating the headlines include the value of Peyton Manning in light of the winless Colts in his absence, the future of the league with the 2011 rookie quarterback class, endless antics in Philly, New York and Dallas, as well as the “Suck for Luck” campaign.

Meanwhile, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is quietly having a phenomenal season and has his team resting comfortably during its bye week as the only unbeaten squad left in the league. 

Rodgers has continued his outstanding postseason play from 10 months ago that culminated in him earning a Super Bowl MVP award in the Packers' 31-25 victory over the Steelers. 

Astonishingly, he seems to have elevated his performance this season raising his completion percentage to 71.5 (by comparison, it was 65.7 last season) and his quarterback rating is an unheard of 125.7 (averaged 101.2 last season). 

Despite injuries hitting the Packers at every other offensive position group, Rodgers has overcome them and raised his play to a level of excellence currently unmatched by any of his peers in the league. 

While they may be banged up, there’s no doubting that Rodgers is surrounded with possibly the best wide receiver unit in the league. 

The Packers defense has slipped considerably from last year’s unit, but because of Rodgers and the offense averaging just less than 33 points a game (best in the league), the Packers have won their share of shootouts.

Yet it seems as if his brilliance is largely flying under the radar. 

Remember when Tom Brady and the Patriots ripped through the NFL in 2007?

How about the Colts' run two years ago with Manning when they started 14-0? 

The only thing the press did not accomplish in their praise of Brady and Manning was polishing their impending Hall of Fame busts. 

Is this perhaps the first time in NFL history that the best quarterback in the league is underrated or, better yet, underappreciated? 

In fairness, maybe toiling in media obscurity is Rodgers’ gift for enduring the post-Favre era feeding frenzy.

In an era where instant reactions often lead to overreactions, it is natural for some people to avoid falling for the hype. 

However, considering how Aaron Rodgers is playing right now, he deserves way more praise than he is getting.