Green Bay Packers: 4 Matchups to Watch in the Divisional Round
By Kenny Jilek
Green Bay Packers Matchup #4: Davante Adams vs. Any poor corner that has to face him
Look, Davante Adams is ready to go absolutely crazy as he’s done every other time he’s faced the 49ers lately. Over the last three meetings with the 49ers, he’s caught 31 passes for 443 yards and two touchdowns. He’s the best receiver in the NFL and one-half of the best receiver-quarterback tandem in the league.
Most often, he’ll probably draw Emmanuel Mosely in coverage, but he could also see Josh Norman or Ambry Thomas. None of them have been bad this year, and Josh Norman is a big name from his one stellar All-Pro season in 2015, but none of them are a match for Adams–no one is.
Most of the time, there will almost surely be a safety lurking over the top or a linebacker with eyes on him from the middle. Even in those scenarios, he’s shown time and time again that he’s a good enough route runner to beat two guys.
If the Packers can manage to get him into 1-on-1 situations, though, Rodgers will almost certainly throw it his way, no matter how covered by that one guy he might look. He can win early with pure route running to get himself space or at the point of the catch where he can go up and get it or throw the hands up late, so the corner won’t even know the ball is coming.
The amount of tools and tricks Davante has in his bag both while running the route and catching the ball is absurd, and someone can do everything right and still give up a big catch because he’s just that good. Look out 49ers’ cornerbacks, Adams and Rodgers are coming for blood, and when they get rolling, nothing can stop them.
So, what matchups will you be watching most intently this Saturday night when the 49ers come to Lambeau to face the Green Bay Packers? Let me know in the comments below or on Twitter @DairylandXpress.