The Green Bay Packers were reeling offensively in Week 6 with Davante Adams sidelined for his second consecutive game. Out of nowhere, Allen Lazard emerged from the depths of the bench to become an X-Factor for the Packers offense on Monday night.
Lazard, an undrafted wide receiver out of Iowa State, came in during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions and immediately made an impact. The second-year wide receiver was quickly targeted by Rodgers and ended the game with four receptions for 65 yards and a touchdown.
Prior to Lazard coming in, the other wide receivers on the roster were killing drives with crucial drops. While Adams has been out, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Geronimo Allison have been asked to take larger roles in the offense.
Valdes-Scantling has shown flashes of his potential but he's been unable to consistently produce for Matt LaFleur's offense. Similarly to Valdes-Scantling, Allison has been unable to put it all together when he's lined up out wide.
Furthermore, on Monday night, Allison was targeted seven times but he only managed to post three receptions for 40 yards. Among the incomplete targets, Allison dropped two crucial passes.
As a result, Rodgers himself went to the sideline and vouched for Lazard to get some playing time. When you have a future Hall-of-Famer testify for you, you know you are doing something right.
Once Lazard came in, the veteran signal-caller found the young wide receiver for a 35-yard touchdown. The Iowa State product's first touchdown came at a fortunate time; bringing Green Bay within two points of the Lions. Then, it was Lazard's three receptions for 30 yards on the final drive that helped the Packers secure the victory over the Lions.
Of course, a questionable illegal use of hands penalty on Trey Flowers also attributed to the win. Nevertheless, it's tough to ignore the amount of production that Lazard had in just one-quarter of the game.
Even when Adams returns to the field, Green Bay now has a receiver who could possibly alleviate some pressure off of the All-Pro wideout. At 6-foot-5, nearly 230 pounds, Lazard has the size and skillset to become a star receiver in the Packers offense.
The Packers are 5-1 to begin the season and are atop the NFC North. Even so, their offense hasn't been able to produce at a consistent rate just yet. Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams have led the way offensively on the ground; while Adams is the only reliable pass-catcher in the offense.
Therefore, if Green Bay wants to solidify their status as a contender, they need other players to step up in the offense. Currently, it seems as if Lazard is the unsung hero in the passing attack that has been missing for weeks.
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