Packers' QB Rodgers as reliable as always

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP)

Aaron Rodgers already was having a good day, rallying the Packers from an early 10-point deficit. Still, he stood on the sideline unfulfilled.

It only took a few seconds for that to change.

Four-time MVP Peyton Manning's 2-minute drive stalled at midfield, giving Rodgers 1:33 left on the clock and 78 yards to work with - the type of time and distance Manning has used to add to his trophy shelf.

Rodgers started with a pair of short passes to Donald Driver and John Kuhn before three completions over the middle to Jermichael Finley over the middle moved them to the Colts 14.

After another completion and an Indianapolis penalty, Rodgers had one last play with no timeouts and 7 seconds left before the Packers would send in the field goal unit.

No need.

Rodgers zipped a back shoulder throw to James Jones, who turned around and caught it for a 3-yard touchdown that left cornerback Terrail Lambert clapping his hands in frustration that he'd been beat.

In truth, Lambert didn't have a chance. Even the best cornerbacks in the NFL may have to get used to Rodgers' doing just that.

''I think he keeps amazing himself,'' Driver said after the Packers' 59-24 exhibition win over Indianapolis on Thursday night. ''He is the best, and he's proving it. It puts a smile on my face because I've seen the man grow from a little kid to a grown man. To do what he's done, going into his third year as the starting quarterback of the Green Bay Packers, it's a true fact of what he can do.''

The reliable Rodgers is the top reason why the Packers have embraced high expectations that they'll be better than last year, which ended with a first-round playoff exit. Rodgers has two straight seasons of more than 4,000 yards and this preseason in about as much action as a full game he's completed 77 percent of his throws with six TDs and no interceptions.

''The last two years I felt real good about where we've been at the end of preseason, but I feel better this year because I think we have a little bit more of an identity on offense,'' Rodgers said. ''When we get into a rhythm like we have this preseason on offense, we're going to be tough to stop. It's fun.''

Despite his gaudy numbers in exhibition play, Rodgers was less than thrilled with the first half against the Colts. He felt the Packers hadn't established any rhythm until the final series.

He's probably being a little hard on himself, a fact Manning can identify with.

''He's got a ton of ability,'' Manning said. ''(He) had a heck of a year last year and had that crazy playoff game against Arizona. I imagine in the NFC they'll be one of the top teams.''

Rodgers is quick to credit his performance to the offensive line.

After the quarterback was sacked 50 times last season, he hasn't gone down in the preseason and has been given ample time to find receivers down field or flee for safety when the pocket begins to collapse.

Finley, the 6-foot-5, 247-pound tight end, is already becoming a safe target for Rodgers.

''I've been saying to stop us you have to have a solid pass rush and have somebody who can match up on 88, because if not it's going to be a long night,'' Rodgers said.

The next night the Packers suit up won't be for Rodgers' unit. Head coach Mike McCarthy routinely rests most of his regulars in preparation for the season opener.

Rodgers couldn't think of any more questions that the offense needs to answer at Kansas City on Thursday before Green Bay's season opener on Sept. 12 at Philadelphia.

''At this point you've got to start thinking about the health of your football team,'' Rodgers said. ''I would guess that it will be a light week for the first team and then maybe one possession and then call it quits.''

Rodgers likely is right on target.

''The kid is good. I mean, he's really, really good. You keep him on his feet, he's going to make defense look ... silly,'' said left tackle Chad Clifton, pausing for the right word. ''He's going to put up some yards. He's going to put up some touchdowns, some points.

''He's the real deal.''