The Green Bay Packers are 4-8 and have the slimmest of odds to make the playoffs. To say that this season has been a disappointment would be an understatement. Going into the 2022 season, both the Packers offense and defense were ranked in the top ten by various outlets. Now, well, we hope 2023 is better and that the Packers can string together a miracle or five and sneak into the playoffs this year. Regardless of how the season ends, there are some positive stats that may be surprising to many fans, proving that 2022 might not have been a total waste.
Surprising Stat #1: Aaron Rodgers Leads the NFC in Touchdown Passes
Even though Aaron Rodgers has already thrown more interceptions than he has in any season since 2010, he still leads the NFC in touchdown passes (21). This may be a surprising stat considering how inconsistent the Packers offense has been all year. It is also surprising given the fact that Rodgers has played most of the season with a broken thumb on his throwing hand.
Aaron Rodgers leading the NFC in TD passes while the Packers have only averaged around 20 points per game -with a broken thumb – is one of the wildest stats in the NFL this season.
— Jacob Morley (@JacobMorley) November 29, 2022
There are many opinions about Aaron Rodgers and what his future with the team might look like. However, one cannot question his drive and determination. This is especially true after Ian Rapoport reported that the thumb injury Rodgers has will need corrective surgery after the season.
Surprising Stat #2: Kingsley Enagbare Leads Rookie Pass Rushers in Win Rate
When the Green Bay Packers selected Kingsley Enagbare in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, it was believed that they had gotten a steal. Prior to an injury in his senior season, he was projected to be a first round pick. Enagbare has certainly played better than all the other edge rushers drafted before him. He leads his draft class in win rate:
2022 EDGE Class
Pass rush win rate.
Min: 125 Pass rush reps.1. Kinglsey Enagbare: 16.7% #GoPackGo
2. Kayvon Thibodeaux: 14.5 #TogetherBlue
3. Arnold Ebiketie: 12.6 #dirtybirds
4. George Karlaftis: 12.5 #ChiefsKingdom
5. Aidan Hutchinson: 11.1 #onepride— Jacob Morley (@JacobMorley) November 29, 2022
Of those players, Enagbare was drafted the latest. Packers fans may have varying opinions on general manager Brian Gutekunst, but the Enagbare pick was an absolute home run.
Surprising Stat #3: Aaron Jones Is Eighth in the NFL in Rushing Yards
This may be the most surprising stat considering Jones has had games of five, nine, eight, and nine rushing attempts this season. He has also only gotten 15 or more rushing attempts in four games. Despite not being used as much as he should, Jones is still eighth in the NFL with 821 rushing yards.
Most rushing yards this season in the #NFL #NFLStats #Raiders Josh Jacobs – 1,159#Titans Derrick Henry – 1,048#Browns Nick Chubb – 1,039#Giants Saquon Barkley – 992#Eagles Miles Sanders – 900#Vikings Dalvin Cook – 841#Bears Justin Fields – 834#Packers Aaron Jones – 821 pic.twitter.com/knSvc9jIKs
— NFL Numbers 🔢 (@nflnumber) November 29, 2022
One of the games in which Jones received 15 or more carries was in Week Two against the Chicago Bears. In that game, Jones rushed 15 times for 132 yards and a touchdown. He also had three receptions for 38 yards and another touchdown.
The Packers play the Bears again this Sunday.
Related: Aaron Rodgers’ Top 10 Games vs the Chicago Bears
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