Last week, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers offered up a five-letter word in an effort to calm down the then-curdling Cheeseheads: R-E-L-A-X.
So what’s the word of the week as the Packers prepare to face the Vikings? The word is there is no word.
“I don’t have one,” Rodgers said Wednesday, via Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. “I bring stuff like that up when necessary, but the key to those type of deals is you can’t overdo it. So last week we needed to relax a little bit. The fans needed to relax. Now 2-2, we need to get to 3-2.”
Rodgers could be uttering a few four-letter words on Thursday night, given his performance in past years against defenses led by first-year Vikings coach Mike Zimmer.
“I’ve played against Coach Zimmer a couple of times,” Rodgers said, “and I have a lot of respect for him and the job he does. He always has been well prepared, and I’m very confused at times with their schemes. I think his defense is improving, and it’s going to be one of the top defenses when it’s said and done.”
Last year, Rodgers completed 26 of 43 passes for 244 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions in a 34-30 loss to Zimmer’s Bengals at Lambeau Field. Four years earlier, Rodgers completed 21 of 39 for 261 yards and a touchdown in a 31-24 loss in Cincinnati.