Aaron Rodgers looking to snap 'ManningCast' curse, first active player to appear with Peyton, Eli since Week 8
In Week 17, Rodgers will be the first active player on the 'ManningCast' since Josh Allen
By
Jeff Kerr
•
2 min read
Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers have clinched home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. Green Bay has won 13 games for the third consecutive season -- the first team in NFL history to accomplish that feat. What could go wrong?
Well, Rodgers is going to test fate this week, appearing on the "MannningCast" with Peyton Manning and Eli Manning during the "Monday Night Football" game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns to conclude Week 17. Manning will be the first active player as a guest on the "ManningCast" since Josh Allen was on in Week 8.
Why is this significant? Active players have appeared as guests on the "ManningCast" throughout the season and the results have been less than desirable for their teams -- and in some instances their own health -- the following week. Each team lost in the next week after their star player appeared on the "ManningCast." The starting quarterbacks for those teams are 0-4.
| Player | ManningCast appearance | Next week result |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 | ||
Week 1 | ||
Week 2 | Buccaneers lose 34-24 to Rams; Gronkowski injured | |
Week 3 | Rams lose 37-20 to Cardinals | |
Week 7 | Buccaneers lose 36-27 to Saints | |
Josh Allen | Week 8 |
The Packers clinched home-field advantage in the NFC, so the result won't matter in a meaningless Week 18 game against the Detroit Lions. Rodgers does plan to play in the regular season finale, though, despite the toe injury that has been bothering him for the majority of the second half of the year.
"This is the first game that my toe got through the game without any issues, no pregame painkiller shot, so I'm feeling good," Rodgers said after Sunday night's win over the Vikings. "I'm happy about it. There was definitely a time a few weeks ago when we started to project and think if we could get the one seed, it could be two-plus weeks of rest, but I'm going to play next week."
Rodgers says he expects DaVante Adams to play as well, along with the other Green Bay starters. There is a catch with Rodgers' appearance on the "ManningCast," as he was announced as a guest for the broadcast on Saturday -- more than 24 hours before the Packers' win over the Vikings.
Joining Rodgers on the Week 17 "ManningCast" will be NFL Today analyst and Hall of Fame head coach Bill Cowher, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, and Snoop Dogg -- an A-list of guests.
Even though the Packers' Week 18 game is meaningless, does the "ManningCast" hex live if Green Bay loses its first playoff game three weeks after Rodgers makes his appearance? That may be stretching it, but certainly a debate worth having if the Packers fail to reach the NFC Championship Game.
