Packers WR Allen Lazard has 16 catches for 215 yards and 3 TDs over the last four games.
One important pass-catcher for the Green Bay Packers is trending in the right direction down the stretch.
First, the struggles: During a two-game stretch against the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams in November, Packers receiver Allen Lazard was targeted 10 times but managed only three catches for 19 yards. He had five contested catch opportunities but failed to catch a single one.
Over the last four games, Lazard has put the struggles behind him and come alive as a reliable secondary target for the Packers passing game.
The rebound: In games against the Chicago Bears, Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns and Minnesota Vikings, Lazard caught 16 passes on 22 targets for 215 yards and three touchdowns.
On Sunday night, he made a leaping catch against tight single coverage in the end zone for the game’s first touchdown. It was the perfect culmination of a terrific four-game stretch for Lazard, who has caught five of his last six contest-catch chances, including the touchdown.
The ability to consistently make tough catches on 50-50 balls is increasing confidence from the quarterback and creating more opportunities for the receiver.
Davante Adams said seeing Lazard make more tough catches, like a one-hander on third down against the Chicago Bears on Dec. 12, is helping Aaron Rodgers pull the trigger when one-on-one coverage is applied.
“I love seeing plays being made like that because it continues to help build trust between him and Aaron,” receiver Davante Adams said. “12 won’t even think twice, seeing the safety tilted towards me and it’s time to let it fly and let 13 make a beautiful grab. Big plays are contagious.”
The quarterback has certainly noticed.
“Since maybe the Rams game, he’s played a number of really good games. Made contested catches, big plays down the field. He does all the dirty work, so getting him the ball is awesome,” Rodgers said. “He’s been making plays down the field, which is great.”
On the touchdown, Rodgers was under heavy pressure from Anthony Barr but knew he had one-on-one coverage with Lazard, so he threw up an “opportunity ball” to his receiver.
“He’s been making those contested catches. The more you do that, the more opportunities you get,” Rodgers said.
In 14 games, Lazard has tied his career-high for catches (35) and set a new career-high with six touchdown catches. He needs 40 more receiving yards in Week 18 to set a new career-high.
Rodgers went as far as to compare Lazard to James Jones, who remains one of his favorite all-time targets in tight-coverage situations.
“When James was a young player, you started seeing him making these contested catches, it gave you the confidence to go back to him over and over on those 50-50 balls. And he’s been coming down with a lot more of those than not,” Rodgers said.
Without Randall Cobb and Robert Tonyan available, Rodgers and the Packers passing game needed a reliable secondary target to emerge. Over the last month, Lazard has been up to the task.
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