National Football League

McCarthy confident Rodgers, Packers offense will improve

Published Sep. 21, 2016 7:59 p.m. ET

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GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) Packers coach Mike McCarthy is confident that quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Green Bay's struggling offense will get better.

Two games into the season, the results have been uncharacteristically ugly.

The Packers (1-1) are ranked 29th in the NFL in total offense and a 31st in passing. Rodgers and the rest of the offense looked out of sync in last week's loss at Minnesota.

''I have great confidence in Aaron,'' McCarthy said before practice Wednesday when asked how his veteran quarterback bounces back from subpar games.

''I've never trusted a quarterback or an individual as a player more than I trust Aaron Rodgers.''

His overall resume is outstanding. A two-time NFL MVP, Rodgers' 103.8 passer rating is the best in NFL history.

But Rodgers hasn't had a passer rating over 100 since Week 6 last season. While Rodgers has still been good since that game last October against San Diego, the stats haven't measured up to the high standards he has set since becoming the starter in 2008.

In the 17-14 loss to the Vikings on Sunday, Rodgers was 20 of 36 for 213 yards with one touchdown, but his one interception came late in the fourth quarter to end the Packers' hopes for a comeback. Rodgers also fumbled three times, losing one .

''It's a process. And he's no different than any other player,'' McCarthy said. ''Fundamentals (are) something you're always chasing as a football team, and it's no different at the quarterback position.''

McCarthy pushed the practice schedule back by an hour or two on Wednesday afternoon so his team could spend more time on strength and conditioning. The defense had a couple of notable injuries from the Vikings game, including a sore hamstring for safety Morgan Burnett.

Linebacker Clay Matthews was bothered by a sore left ankle, along with another injury, of which the team planned to release more information later Wednesday.

But the coach has liked what he has seen so far in terms of the team's intensity.

''The work ethic is outstanding, for Aaron and our guys, and we'll improve off last week,'' McCarthy said. ''I'm confident in that.''

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Online: AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: www.twitter.com/AP-NFL

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