Packers: Davante Adams key to success on offense vs. 49ers
Davante Adams has been dominant over the past month, and the Green Bay Packers need that to continue in the NFC Championship Game.
In his past four games, Davante Adams has 472 receiving yards and four touchdowns. The Green Bay Packers need Adams to continue his red-hot form on Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers.
Adams versus Richard Sherman will be one of the headline matchups analysts discuss leading up to the game. While Adams will see plenty of Sherman, Matt LaFleur should move him around the field.
According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Sherman only covered Adams on 46 percent of his routes in the first meeting between these two teams. Adams didn’t have much success in his coverage with just one catch for seven yards. Next Gen Stats also noted that Sherman lined up at the left cornerback spot for every snap against the Packers.
With Sherman lined up on one side of the field, the Packers will have the flexibility to move Adams around to find more favorable matchups. That could include using him in the slot or even out of the backfield. Whatever allows them to get him the football.
But that’s not to say Adams can’t find success against Sherman.
Adams has arguably the best release off the line of scrimmage in the league, and he’s one of the best route runners in all of football. He’s taken on and defeated many elite cornerbacks in recent years.
He didn’t have his best game in Week 12 against the 49ers, especially when in Sherman’s coverage, but let’s not forget he was only in his third game back from a toe injury and had been limited at practice all week leading up to the game.
Adams has looked himself over the past month and it’s hardly surprising to see his production improve.
Michael Thomas and the New Orleans Saints proved it’s possible to find success against this 49ers defense. Thomas beat Sherman on multiple occasions and absolutely dominated against San Francisco with 11 catches for 134 yards and a touchdown in Week 14.
The 49ers also gave up over 100 yards to both Robert Woods and Tyler Higbee in a matchup against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 16.
The Packers are up against an elite defense this week, but not one that’s impossible to score against.
Next. 5 things Packers need to fix to win rematch vs. 49ers. dark
Adams is talented enough to win against Sherman, but LaFleur can also use him on the other side of the field and from the slot. It’s going to be key to get the ball in his hands early and often in this game.
Adams has rediscovered his best form and looks to be healthy after a toe injury that limited him earlier in the season. The Packers will be hoping that continues on Sunday.