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Well Packers fans, this is life without Aaron Rodgers

If there was any hope that Brett Hundley could come in and do a 2008 Matt Cassel impression for the Green Bay Packers, that was practically erased by the end of Sunday afternoon.

The Packers will be without Aaron Rodgers, who is on injured reserve, for at least eight weeks with a broken collarbone. Maybe he’s out for the rest of the season, though that’s not definite yet. And the first afternoon of life without him wasn’t pretty.

The Packers had an early lead vs. the New Orleans Saints thanks to a couple interceptions by the defense and nice touchdown runs by Hundley and Aaron Jones. But the offense couldn’t sustain any drives and there was no way to hold off Drew Brees forever.

The Saints won 26-17 and Hundley was 12 of 25 for 87 yards and an interception. He had the impressive 14-yard touchdown run, but that was about it. It’s just his first career start, and there’s a chance he could improve as he gets more experience, but he wasn’t good on Sunday. Nobody expected him to make everyone forget Rodgers, but there was hope he could keep the Packers in the NFC North mix. There has to be a lot less optimism about that now.

The Packers are 4-3 and have lost two games in a row. They’re a game behind the Minnesota Vikings in the division. They’re not done, because there’s good talent around Hundley and he could continue to grow. But the road is a lot harder now.

There was a report on Sunday that Rodgers could return at some point late this season. Now you have to wonder if Hundley and the Packers will give him any reason for him to return.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Hundley was poor in his first NFL start. (AP)
Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Hundley was poor in his first NFL start. (AP)

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Frank Schwab is the editor of Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at shutdown.corner@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

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