The struggling wide receivers of the Green Bay Packers should have an opportunity for a bounce-back game on Sunday against the New York Giants.
Although Allen Lazard, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Geronimo Allison and Jake Kumerow have produced next to nothing over the last three games, the Giants are a favorable matchup for any group of receivers.
The Giants have a strong case for possessing the worst top four cornerbacks in the NFL.
Veteran Janoris Jenkins is experienced and feisty and will likely provide a capable counter for Adams, but Aaron Rodgers and the Packers should feast on the Giants’ other cornerbacks.
Rookie Deandre Baker has allowed four touchdown passes and a passer rating of 125.6 into his coverage. He is the No. 147 overall cornerback by grade at Pro Football Focus.
Grant Haley has allowed over 80 percent completions and a passer rating of 114.6 into his coverage. He’s PFF’s No. 119 cornerback in 2019.
Corey Ballentine has allowed 10.7 yards per target and a passer rating of 119.4. He’s PFF’s No. 143 ranked cornerback.
The Packers desperately need a matchup like this.
Receivers not named Davante Adams over the last three games have combined to catch 18 passes on 32 targets for only 144 yards, good for 4.5 yards per target and a passer rating when targeted of 67.7.
Lazard: 7 catches, 12 targets, 78 yards
Allison: 8 catches, 9 targets, 36 yards
Valdes-Scantling: 1 catch, 6 targets, 7 yards
Kumerow: 2 catches, 5 targets, 23 yards
Even Adams has been underwhelming, at least efficiency-wise, since returning from a toe injury. He’s turned 33 targets into 202 yards, or 9.6 yards per catch and 6.1 yards per target.
Plenty of factors have contributed to the inefficiency, including the quality of defense faced and the struggles of the offensive line in pass blocking. The offense, while undeniably better with Adams on the field, hasn’t found the right way to reincorporate him back into a passing game that was humming without him in October.
The Packers are really struggling to get the ball to the receiver position in a meaningful, efficient way, especially against good defenses. A matchup against the Giants could be just what this group needs to get back on track.