GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) -- If it seems like the Green Bay Packers have gotten away from the precision short-passing game that made their offense nearly unstoppable two seasons ago, that's because they have.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is throwing deep more frequently than he did last year and far more than Brett Favre did in 2007, according to STATS LLC. And while Rodgers is making big plays, he's taking far too many hits -- a league-worst 37 sacks.

So why are the Packers throwing deep if they can't protect their quarterback?

The answer provides some insight into the strategic showdown NFL coaches and players engage in every week: Rodgers says the Packers take what opposing defenses are giving them, and defenses are leaving those downfield routes open.