The Rodgers Prayer Book: Ranking 7 Times №12 Defied Physics

Looking back at the iconic touchdowns, the college launches, and the physics-defying deep balls that made Aaron Rodgers a late-game myth.

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Need a prayer, turn to the Lord. Need a prayer in sports, turn to Aaron Rodgers.

When it comes to throwing deep prayers, Rodgers is essentially the undisputed king in NFL history. According to Sports Illustrated, no quarterback on earth has completed more than two since 2008. Rodgers alone has converted four into touchdowns.

What is wild is that he doesn’t execute the Hail Mary well. It is how impossibly high he launches the football to give his wideouts time to get the catch.

Here are seven of his top legendary Hail Mary throws, ranked by difficulty and cinematic reactions:

7. The Launch of a Golden Bear (September 11, 2004)

Cal Golden Bears vs. New Mexico State

Before he ever wore a Packers’ jersey, Rodgers was perfecting the art of the moonshot in college. Right before halftime, he ran right and launched a high-arching 50-yard bomb into a sea of opposing players.

Wideout Geoff McArthur ripped the ball down, proving the signature high moonshot trajectory was baked into the future Hall of Famer’s DNA from the beginning.

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6. The Slaying of the Giants to Randall Cobb (January 8, 2017)

2016 NFC Wild Card Playoffs vs. New York Giants

Sitting at the Giants’ 42-yard line right before halftime, Rodgers had a rare blessing that most quarterbacks do not have while throwing Hail Marys: a clean pocket.

He stepped up and threw a beautiful, arching ball that completely sailed over a dense pack of defenders at the front of the goal line, dropping right into Randall Cobb’s basket at the back wall of the end zone.

5. The NFC North Dagger: 4th and 8 to Randall Cobb (December 29, 2013)

2013 Week 17 vs. Chicago Bears

It breaks my heart every single time I watch it.

Trailing 28–27 with only 46 seconds left on the clock, the Packers faced a do-or-die 4th and 8 from Chicago’s 48-yard line. The winner of this game clinched the NFC North and went into the postseason; the loser’s season was over.

Ironically, Rodgers had just returned for this game after missing time due to a collarbone injury. The Bears brought an all-out rush, but Rodgers escaped to his left and saw Cobb open downfield.

Rodgers launched a beautiful 48-yard strike into Cobb’s hands for the game-winning touchdown, ripping the postseason spot right out of Chicago’s hands.

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4. The Jet-Powered Prayer to Allen Lazard (October 14, 2024)

2024 Week 6 vs. Buffalo Bills

New team, same voodoo.

Trailing 20–10 at the end of the first half, Rodgers stood at his own 48-yard line and unleashed a 61.4-yard air-distance missile into a crowded end zone. Allen Lazard shielded off two Bills defenders and somehow secured the ball on his back to keep the Jets alive.

3. The Steelers Heave (2025)

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Continuing his late career tour, Rodgers found himself in yet another classic walk off scenario after joining Pittsburgh. With the game on the line, he let loose an absolute moonshot that traveled nearly 68 yards into the end zone.

The pass was knocked down to seal a Bengals win, but it proved yet again that if a team leaves even a fraction of a second on the clock, Rodgers is physically capable of putting the ball in the end zone from anywhere on the field.

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2. The Arizona Heartbreaker (January 16, 2026)

2015 NFC Divisional Playoffs vs Arizona Cardinals

This play was done out of pure, unadulterated desperation.

Down by seven with five seconds left from his own 41-yard line, Rodgers was flushed to his left, off balance and was actively being closed down by a pass rusher. He threw across his body while falling away, launching a 41-yard rocket that allowed wideout Jeff Janis to out-jump two defensive backs.

1. The Miracle in Motown to Richard Rodgers (December 3, 2015)

2015 Week 13 vs. Detroit Lions

This was the gold standard of all Hail Marys.

With 0:00 on the clock, Rodgers escaped heavy pressure, doubled back to his right, and hit the ball with everything he had from his own 36-yard line.

The ball traveled 65 yards in the air, soaring so high it nearly hit the Ford Field rafters before dropping straight down into the hands of tight end Richard Rodgers for the win.

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