4 Under the Radar Playoff Playmakers for Green Bay Packers
By Kenny Jilek
The Green Bay Packers have the number one seed and the only bye in the NFC. All season they’ve proven to be the best and most consistent team in the entire NFL, but once the playoffs start, none of that matters, and everyone is 0-0 now.
Just one slip up and a loss means elimination and an end to a season that has seemed to be destined for a great ending. With 11 players on the field, every one of them with a different job to do, it’s impossible to just rely on a couple of great players to carry a team. Some more under-the-radar players have to step up and make some big plays to get through the gauntlet that is the NFL playoffs.
In every magical championship run, there are players that come seemingly out of nowhere to make huge impacts on the biggest stage. This has a rich history in Green Bay Packers’ championship seasons as well, with Max McGee’s improbable huge game in Super Bowl 1, a 3.5 sack performance from Henry Jordan in the divisional round the next year in the last season of his career when he had played just five games and had only 1.5 sacks all year, a kick return touchdown by Desmond Howard and interception from Mike Prior in Super Bowl XXXI, and most recently a Super Bowl interception from Jarrett Bush and a huge breakout playoff performance from James Starks.
Who could be the unlikely heroes this year? Here are a few options.
Green Bay Packers Under the Radar Playoff Playmaker: Allen Lazard
Over the past three seasons, after starting on the Packers’ practice squad, Lazard has become one of Aaron Rodgers’ favorite and most trusted targets. He trusts Lazard on deep shots to make a big play and he trusts him on third down to secure a catch to keep the drive moving. Lazard has hit a hot streak at the exact right time, catching 13 passes for 192 yards and four touchdowns in the last three games of the regular season.
With the health of both Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Randall Cobb still somewhat up in the air, Lazard could be the clear number two as the Packers navigate their way through the playoffs. Past signs would say that he’s ready for that challenge. Time and time again, he’s stepped up and made big plays. The first time he ever really got a chance, week six of 2019 against the Lions, he made a huge diving touchdown catch that spurred a comeback which ended in a 23-22 victory.
Of course, his blocking can’t go without mention. On the edge or in the box, he’s one of the best blocking receivers in the league, and that leads to being able to use him very well off of play-action because defenses aren’t surprised to see him blocking, which is precisely what led to his second touchdown in week 18.
This year his eight receiving touchdowns are second on the team to only Davante Adams, and the ball has just seemed to find him in the end zone. Don’t be surprised if Lazard makes some huge plays in big moments with opposing defenses laser-focused on slowing down Davante Adams.