The Green Bay Packers have hummed along to a 6-1 start to the season and have won the last three games without top wideout Davante Adams — who suffered a toe injury in the team’s lone loss against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 4.
Green Bay Packers Don’t Need Davante Adams in Week 8
The wind began to blow around Lambeau Field as to whether or not the team should sign a veteran receiver to help fill the void with Adams still sidelined. General manager Brian Gutekunst did sign veteran receiver, Ryan Grant, which may not have been the big-name fans were hoping for, but a solid addition moving forward.
The main reason that trade talks have probably been squashed is thanks to the resurgence of Aaron Rodgers — who has played better and better each week. You can attribute the slow start to a new offense and head coach, but after six weeks, we’ve witnessed how dangerous they can be.
Rodgers tore the Oakland Raiders’ defense apart on Sunday accounting for five touchdown passes and one rushing touchdown. We haven’t seen a performance like this from No. 12 in a very, very long time.
The Offense is Starting to Wake Up
Those who have been highly skeptical of tight end Jimmy Graham should have their eyes opened as he had one of his best games since coming to Green Bay. Graham had been such a great weapon for the New Orleans Saints and Seattle Seahawks, now in his second season, he’s slowly reminding everyone what he’s capable of.
Granted, the dominance of Aaron Jones and equally useful teammate Jamaal Williams have given the Packers a resourceful one-two punch out of the backfield. Jones’ nine touchdowns are tied with Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey for the league lead of total touchdowns.
The group that was under most scrutiny by fans was Green Bay’s receiving corps. When Davante Adams went down, who was going to step up? Would it be Marquez Valdes-Scantling? Geronimo Allison? Jake Kumerow? Allen Lazard?
Outside of the Oakland game, which this entire group completely came to play that Sunday afternoon, you didn’t know what you were going to get. The Rodgers-Adams trust factor took time, and it takes time with this bunch as well. But the speed is there, the skill is there, and most certainly, the desire is there.
Rodgers has looked more and more comfortable with his guys on the field and it continues to show. Obviously, when you lose your No. 1 guy for any amount of time, it’s going to hurt.
Losing Adams lost a perennial route runner, stretching of the defense, and a top red zone weapon. But head coach Matt LaFleur believed in his guys and Gutekunst didn’t break the bank for a seasoned veteran.
It’s Do or Die Time
The Green Bay Packers are entering a stretch of games against teams above .500 in three of the four next games. Even if the Kansas City Chiefs are without reigning MVP Patrick Mahomes, they’ll still face a team that has multiple weapons to deal with.
To remain atop of the NFC North, the Packers offense will need to remain as explosive as ever with the new-look defense keeping teams — for the most part — in check. Road games are tough enough. Road games against quality opponents? Even tougher.
Should Adams suit up for the Packers this week it will no doubt be a huge boost for their offense. And without him, they’re starting to hit their strides to put up points in bunches.
With the NFL trade deadline fast approaching on October 29, who’s to say that the Packers won’t shock the world and perhaps trade for an A.J. Green or Robby Anderson? That’s the unpredictability of the game that throws everything into absolute chaos.
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