GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers didn't challenge cornerback Richard Sherman once in Thursday's 36-16 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

On Friday, coach Mike McCarthy said his quarterback wasn't intentionally avoiding one of the league's top cover men.

Rather, McCarthy and his coaching staff wanted to see if -- by putting top receiver Jordy Nelson on the left side of the formation -- Sherman might leave his comfort zone on the right side of the field.

Sherman stayed put, and as a result, according to ESPN Stats & Information, Rodgers did not attempt a single pass to a receiver outside the numbers on the right side, where Sherman patrolled.

"I don't think you ever make a conscious decision not to throw to one side of the field," McCarthy said Friday. "Frankly, it was more of a decision to put Jordy on the left and see if he would come over and play him. They played their defense and obviously they did a heck of a job. I'm sure they feel good about where they are today."

The Sherman Effect? According to Packers coach Mike McCarthy, his quarterback was not intentionally avoiding Richard Sherman. However, last season 31.5 percent of Aaron Rodgers' pass attempts went to the right side outside of the numbers, compared to just 9.1 percent in Week 1. Category 2013 Week 1 Pct of att 31.5* 9.1 Yds 672* -3 TD 5* 0 Total QBR 65.7 13.9 *Most of any vertical zone --ESPN Stats & Information

While Nelson managed nine catches, he totaled only 83 yards and had a ball carom off his hands that Seahawks cornerback Byron Maxwell picked off in the third quarter.

"Obviously we liked the matchup on the other side, and if they wanted to bring [Sherman] over we were going to put him in an uncomfortable spot," Nelson said. "They stayed with their defense, which I was expecting the whole time. We made some plays. I think if we hit the touchdown between Aaron and I early in the game, it's a different story."

Despite completing 23 of 33 passes, Rodgers threw for only 189 yards. It was only the third time since 2010 that he was held under 200 yards in a game he finished.

"I don't know if we shut [the Packers] down; they scored 16 points," Sherman said afterward. "[Rodgers] threw for 180, and we don't like to give up those kind of numbers. They made it downfield a little bit."