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Davante Adams (17) and Aaron Rodgers (12) have combined for
325 receptions
in the regular-season. Adams did not play in
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Not so Sunday in Dallas .
For the first time since 2009, Rodgers went into the fray
without a security blanket – a pass-catcher with whom he had a longstanding
working relationship. Fortunately for the Packers, that mattered little as Green Bay jumped on the
Cowboys early and held on for a 34-24 win at AT&T Stadium.
The Packers prevailed largely because of an improved running
game and an opportunistic defense. Running back Aaron Jones rushed for 107
yards and four touchdowns. Defensive coordinator Mike Pettine’s unit came away
with three interceptions.
The Packers hardly seemed to miss Davante Adams. The club’s
leading receiver watched the game from the sidelines with a toe injury.
But Adams ’ absence was news
in and of itself. For the first time in a decade, Rodgers operated without a
100-catch collaborator at his disposal.
Rodgers completed 22 of 34 passes for 238 yards. He failed
to throw a touchdown pass for the 15th time in 163 regular-season starts.
Steady and turnover-free, the veteran quarterback did enough
to win.
Perhaps Rodgers would have done more had his top target been
available. Rodgers and Adams have been playing pitch-and-catch since 2014 when
the Packers selected the Fresno
State
Adams and Rodgers are 100-catch collaborators. They are more
than a little familiar with each other’s style of play.
Rodgers has thrown more than 100 passes to nine different players
throughout his career. Prior to meeting the Cowboys, one or more of those nine
had been with him on the field for each of his last 142 regular-season starts.
Donald Driver was the first. The ebullient receiver caught
his 100th pass from Rodgers in a 30-23 loss at Minnesota on Oct. 5, 2009.
Greg Jennings joined the ranks 13 days later. He shagged his
100th ball in a 26-0 victory over the Lions at Lambeau Field.
Those who have teamed up most often with Rodgers include
some of the better receivers in franchise history: Jordy Nelson (469 catches),
Randall Cobb (429), Adams (325), Jennings
(324), James Jones (266), Driver (241), Jermichael Finley (214), James Starks
(120) and Richard Rodgers (114). Seven of the nine continued to play long after
hitting 100, thus serving as reliable outlets for Rodgers when he encountered
trouble: Nelson (74 games), Cobb (67), Driver (54), Jones (51), Jennings (47),
Adams (38) and Finley (32).
As Rodgers’ career unfolded, the Packers become so laden with
veteran receivers that from the second week of 2011 through the fifth game in 2013,
Rodgers could count on having at least three and as many as five 100-catch
collaborators on the field with him every week. Green Bay went 29-7 (.806) over that stretch.
After two seasons (2014 and 2015) in which the number of
frequent collaborators dropped to two, Rodgers again found himself with three
and as many as five in 2016. That was the last year in which the Packers made
the playoffs.
A year ago, Cobb and Adams were the only 100-catch
collaborators remaining. This year, Adams is
the last man standing.
Adams and Rodgers have played in 71 regular-season games
together. They have combined for 325 receptions and 34 touchdowns.
That chemistry between Rodgers and Adams was missing Sunday.
Those who attempted to fill the void had far less experience with the veteran
quarterback.
Rodgers’ most seasoned partners in Dallas were tight end Jimmy Graham (62
catches), receivers Geronimo Allison (53) and Marquez Valdes-Scantling (52),
and Jones (40).
The drop off after that was steep. Rodgers has logged
relatively little time with the likes of tight end Marcedes Lewis (8), receiver
Jake Kumerow (7), tight end Robert Tonyan (6) and fullback Danny Vitale (3).
For the most part, Rodgers looked in the direction of those
with whom he was most familiar. He aimed 21 of 31 passes at Jones (8), Allison
(6), Valdes-Scantling (4) and Graham (3).
But he also found Tra Carson – a player called up from the
practice squad on Saturday – four times for 18 yards. In all, running backs
snagged 12 of the 22 passes that found their mark.
Rodgers’ two longest completions – both for 23 yards – went
to Graham and Tonyan on the Packers’ second touchdown drive. Jones and Allison
also set up scores, each with a catch of 22 yards.
How the Packers would have fared with Adams
in the mix will never be known. What the team did learn is that it can win without
him against a quality opponent on the road under the right circumstances.
Some or all of those who chased down passes against the
Cowboys will continue to do so in the coming weeks even after Adams
returns. Eventually one or more might become 100-catch collaborators.
Stocked with enough of those, Green Bay ’s passing attack could become
especially potent, perhaps ranking again among the best in the league.
Extra point
Jim Taylor (three times), Terdell Middleton, Dorsey Levens
and Aaron Jones have all scored four rushing touchdowns in a single game for
the Packers. Jones crossed the goal line for the fourth time on just his 12th
carry against the Cowboys. The other three players all required at least 19 attempts
to get there.
Are You Experienced?
The nine players who caught 100 or more passes from
quarterback Aaron Rodgers in the regular season.
Name Rec. Yards Avg. LG TD
Jordy
Nelson 469 6,919 14.75 t93 65
Randall
Cobb 429 5,092 11.87 t75 39
Davante
Adams 325 4,013 12.35 t66 34
Greg
Jennings 324 4,980 15.37 t86 38
James
Jones 266 3,885 14.61 t83 41
Donald
Driver 241 3,130 12.99 t71 22
Jermichael
Finley 214 2,683 12.54 t62 19
James
Starks 120 965 8.04 t31 5
Richard
Rodgers 114 1,117 9.80 t61 13
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