This year’s Green Bay Packers offense is truly blessed. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers looks like he is about to win his third NFL MVP award. His top pass catcher, Davante Adams, is arguably the best receiver in the NFL. The combination of Rodgers-Adams has led this year’s Packers to earn the top seed in the NFC playoffs. With all that the offense has achieved this season, it will all reset when the playoffs begin. A new season is about to begin, and with that, there will be a focus on stopping Adams. With that said, head coach Matt LaFleur and Rodgers will look for other Packers wide receivers to step up if Adams is contained.
Packers Wide Receivers Not Named Davante Adams Expected To Step up in the Playoffs
Aaron Rodgers completed 372 passes and threw for 48 touchdowns. Of those completions, 115 of them went to Davante Adams. 18 of Rodgers touchdown passes went to Adams. It would be quite a challenge to name a better passer-receiver combination in the NFL this season.
Because of that production, the gameplan of defensive coordinators from playoff teams that the Packers will face this postseason will be containing Adams. Yes, the word used was containing, not stopping. The way that Adams played in the regular season, it is highly doubtful that any, no matter how skilled, secondary will shut Adams down.
Still, if Adams is contained, Rodgers will need one of the other Packers receivers to step up. If Adams is double or even triple covered, another receiver should have the opportunity to make something happen.
Of course, a good run game should help take some burden off of Davante Adams. But the Packers offense, it could be argued, is driven by their pass game more than their run game (at least this season). So with that said, one of the other Packers wide receivers will need to step up if Adams is contained.
Allen Lazard Could Be a Big Part of the Packers Playoff Game Plan
In week three, the Packers offense found themselves without the services of Davante Adams, who was nursing an injury. Many had worried that the Packers passing attack would struggle without Adams in the lineup. But Allen Lazard had other ideas.
That Sunday, against the New Orleans Saints, Lazard stepped up for Adams in a big way. He hauled in six passes for 146 yards with one touchdown reception. The Packers offense needed someone to step up and Lazard did just that. What makes Lazard’s production that much more incredible, he did that while suffering a core injury.
That injury forced Lazard to miss seven games. Since his return, Lazard has contributed and seems to be getting stronger every week. Lazard should be close to 100% when the Packers take the field in their first playoff game. If Davante Adams is contained in that game or as the Packers go further in the playoffs, Lazard should be ready if his number is called.
Will the Real Marquez Valdes-Scantling Please Stand Up?
Last week in the Packers victory over the Chicago Bears, Marquez Valdes-Scantling’s play gave a perfect representation of what it is like to have him on your favorite team.
In the second quarter, Rodgers connected on a streaking Valdes-Scantling for a 72-yard touchdown. On that play, the Bears defense asked an inside linebacker to try to cover Valdes-Scantling. It wasn’t close to being a fair match up with Valdes-Scantling and his high-end speed. This was the high point, now comes the low.
On the opening drive of the second half, Rodgers once again targeted Valdes-Scantling with a deep pass. However, the perfectly thrown pass by Rodgers went right through Valdes-Scantling’s hands. The drop was comparable to what you saw from Featherstone in the movie Necessary Roughness.
Valdes-Scantling has the speed to step up if Davante Adams receives the extra coverage we expect in this year’s playoffs. However, there are some questions if he can overcome his concentration and catching issues. Valdes-Scantling has shown he is able to make the occasional big play. But he has also shown that he can rip your heart out with a dropped pass.
A Non-Wide Receiver for the Packers
It is very possible that the player that could take some pressure off Davante Adams isn’t even a wide receiver. The Packers have two players that aren’t wideouts that could very well be a big part of the Packers passing attack if Adams is contained.
Tight end Robert Tonyan has had a career season. He has hauled in 52 catches for 586 yards with an eye-popping 11 touchdown catches. All numbers that deserved Pro Bowl consideration for Tonyan.
Tonyan has grabbed attention with his ability in the red zone. He has been everything that former tight end Jimmy Graham wasn’t. But Tonyan isn’t a one-trick pony. The former Indiana State wide receiver has the ability to get open deep and work the middle of the field. He could be a solid option for Rodgers, if Adams is controlled.
How about running back Aaron Jones? He has been a big part of the Packers passing game the past two seasons and has shown he can be a weapon as a pass-catcher.
In the past two seasons, Jones has combined for 96 receptions. He is a weapon catching the ball out of the backfield but has the ability to line up in the slot. LaFleur and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett could line up Jones in the slot and line up rookie AJ Dillon in the backfield. Jones multi-dimensional capability is a major asset for the Packers offense.
It is the Packers preference to have Davante Adams not be contained. Still, if he is, they do have some options. Of course, the biggest asset they have is Aaron Rodgers. As he has done throughout his career, he has made more out of less. So no fear Packers fans, if Adams is held in check, you still have one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL.
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