They say history repeats itself, and the Green Bay Packers will be rooting for the old adage to prove true when they take the field at 4:30 this afternoon against the Philadelphia Eagles.
The matchup is the same that took place on a January Sunday 14 years ago, when Aaron Rodgers led Green Bay to a first round win en route to the only Super Bowl ring the franchise has seen this century.
Be forewarned: from there, it gets weird.
A-Rod may be near retirement, but perhaps his bitter old ghost is willing to work a last bit of mojo for the franchise where he spent 18 seasons.
Parallel Paths for Green Bay Packers Glory?
The 2010-11 Packers captured the 6th and then-final seed to finish 10-6 by beating the Bears in the last game of the season.
Love led this season’s squad to an 11-6 record as they fell to the 7-spot in the bracket, losing to the Bears in Week 18 to earn a first round face off with Philly.
It was Rodgers’ second-ever start against the Eagles, in his third year as starting QB. Week 1 of that season was his first. It was not a great game for Rodgers (19 of 31, 188 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT), but Green Bay won 27-20.
This is Love’s second-ever start against the Eagles, in his second year as the starter. Week 1 of this season was his first. It was not a great game for Love (17 of 34, 260 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT) and the Packers lost, 34-29.
Both Green Bay quarterbacks faced/face an Eagles counterpart known just as much for his legs as his arm–Michael Vick for Rodgers, Jalen Hurts for Love.
Both entered a game versus Philadelphia in a previous season as a back up–Rodgers to Brett Favre in 2006, Love to Rodgers in 2022. Both games were Packer L’s.
It’s weird already, but wait, there’s more when you look at each passer’s individual stats and (potential) playoff path after the Wild Card Round.
Jordan Love, the Next Aaron Rodgers?
Rodgers played 15 games in 2010, the same number Love did this season. Rodgers threw for 28 TDs and 11 picks. Love: 25 TDS, 11 picks.
Rodgers posted a QBR of 69.6, a comprehensive measure of his quarterback play. In 2024, Love logged a 69.3.
2010 was also the year before Rodgers’ best season by passer rating, QBR, and yards per attempt (122.5, 83.8, 9.2). While the Packers don’t need Love to overtake Uncle Aaron as the best QB in franchise history, perhaps, if the prophecy comes to full fruition this postseason (how about it, another ring for the Pack), it bodes well for Love’s future performance. As it is, the young passer’s career already holds high hopes.
To reach AT&T Stadium in Arlington Texas for Super Bowl XLV, Green Bay beat the division-winning Eagles in the first round, the #1 seed in the second (Falcons), a division rival for the conference title (Bears), and the AFC North Champs (Steelers) in the Bowl.
Every one of the teams Rodgers slew after Philadelphia has been eliminated from the running this season, so the precision ends there. But a path identical in general structure remains possible for the ’24-25 Packers. 
For a ticket to the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Love must already take down Philly and the 1-seed Lions by default as the 7-seed in the first and second rounds. The Vikings, who wound up 2nd in the NFC North, remain alive for the conference championship pending Monday’s matchup with the Rams.
Having beaten Pittsburgh yesterday, AFC North-winning Baltimore currently owns the second shortest Super Bowl odds of any AFC team (behind, who else, the Chiefs).
All-time, the Packers are 28-19 against the Eagles, but just 14-17 in the Super Bowl Era. For his part, Rodgers finished 5-3 vs Philly as a Packer, including that first round victory in January of 2011. For now, Love is 0-1 but he can change that today by pulling off an upset.
The seeds are sown, the constellations set. Let’s hope Old Man Rodgers is looking down benignly.
For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content
Follow me on X at @ezsniper14 and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here! To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Wisconsin sports, click here! Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers, Milwaukee Bucks, Wisconsin Badgers. Go Pack Go. On Wisconsin. Fear The Deer. This Is My Crew.
