Green Bay Packers receiver Allen Lazard caught only three passes during Sunday’s win over the New York Giants, but he made all three of them count.
Big plays on the Packers’ first two drives sparked a fast start for the offense, and a third catch on third-and-long secured a first career 100-yard game for the second-year receiver.
Lazard finished with three catches, a career-high 103 yards and his second touchdown of the 2019 season.
“I’m really happy for Allen,” coach Matt LaFleur said Sunday. “Here’s a guy that from the day we got here has been about the right stuff. He gives it his all each and every day, he plays physical, that’s his game, and then he contributes on special teams. He’s earned his opportunities. For him to come out with a 100-yard performance and a touchdown and making some key, critical plays in this game, it was really cool to see.”
The Packers went up 14-7 in the first quarter thanks to a pair of catches from Lazard.
He laid out to finish a 43-yard completion on the Packers’ first drive, setting up a touchdown. A drive later, he got behind the defense for a 37-yard score.
It was exactly the kind of start the Packers needed after a 37-8 drubbing to the 49ers in San Francisco.
On the Packers’ first possession of the second half, Lazard got open in the middle of the field and converted a 3rd-and-13 play with a 23-yard catch after Aaron Rodgers bought time in the pocket.
Lazard’s previous career-high in receiving yards was 65 yards. His last touchdown was in October against the Detroit Lions.
Rodgers complimented Lazard’s ability to make his first catch on a ball that floated further to the left than he was expecting.
“He made a couple of really big plays today. His first catch got us going,” Rodgers said. “I’ve always said about Allen, he just has a calm demeanor. He expects to make those plays. And you love that as a quarterback because he gives you confidence back. It’s almost like, hey, the ball should be coming my way.”
[lawrence-related id=35852,35847,35831,35824]