Packers: Ranking Davante Adams’ 5 best career performances
Davante Adams has had some incredible performances during his seven seasons with the Green Bay Packers.
Choosing the top five is a near-impossible task. Think of all the incredible routes he’s run, impossible catches he’s made, and big performances he’s put together.
To rank the top five, I’ve not focused just on the numbers. That plays a part, of course, but also important is the game itself. That includes the situation in the game, making plays at crucial times, and also how big of an impact his performance made to the outcome and to the Packers’ season.
So let’s give this a go.
5. Green Bay vs. New England (Week 13, 2014)
Stats: Six catches, 11 targets, 121 yards
We rewind all the way back to Adams’ rookie season. This isn’t close to being his best statistical performance, but without him, the Packers would likely have lost a blockbuster showdown against the Patriots.
Entering this game, New England had won seven straight. Green Bay had only lost one of its past eight games. In a potential Super Bowl preview, the Packers and Patriots met at Lambeau Field.
As expected, it was a close game. A tense battle.
Jordy Nelson had a big touchdown catch before halftime, but he only had one other reception in the game. Green Bay needed another receiver to step up, and Adams did, helping the Packers pull off a statement victory over the soon-to-be Super Bowl champs.
4. Green Bay vs. Philadelphia (Week 4, 2019)
Stats: 10 catches, 15 targets, 180 yards
Up against a struggling Eagles secondary, Adams made it look easy as he repeatedly got open and put together one of his finest performances. Aaron Rodgers targeted Adams 15 times in the game, 10 of them being caught for 180 yards.
It could’ve been an even bigger night for Adams, but he injured his toe after making a catch early in the fourth quarter. The reception put the Packers in the red zone and on course to score a TD. After losing Adams, the offense struggled and ended up losing the game.
But Adams made it a memorable evening with some unbelievable plays in just over three quarters.
3. Green Bay at Philadelphia (Week 12, 2016)
Stats: Five catches, six targets, 113 yards, two touchdowns
After losing four straight and sitting at 4-6, the Packers were in all sorts of trouble. To have any hopes of making the playoffs, they would need to run the table.
A win against the Eagles in Week 12 gave the Packers some hope of pulling off a miracle, and their victory was inspired by Adams, who was unstoppable all night long. With two touchdown catches and one of the best over-the-shoulder receptions of his career, the Eagles had no answer.
Adams’ phenomenal night led the Packers to the first of eight consecutive wins.
2. Green Bay vs. Dallas (Divisional round, 2014)
Stats: Seven catches, 11 targets, 117 yards, one touchdown
It’s not always about the numbers, but also the big moments that count. Adams’ stats were impressive in this game, but the clutch plays he made are what puts this performance second in the list.
We all remember this game in the 2014 season. Dez Bryant didn’t catch it. But Adams did. Repeatedly.
Late in the third quarter with Green Bay trailing 21-13 and facing a third-and-15, Rodgers found Adams in the middle of the field. He turned a first down into a 46-yard touchdown after making one defender miss and sprinting past others.
Late in the game as the Packers defended their lead, Rodgers found Adams on another crucial third down. After making the catch, he shook off a defender and sprinted down the sideline to put the Packers in great field position and took time off the clock.
The Packers needed someone to step up and get the offense going in the second half. Adams made big plays at key moments to help his team advance to the NFC title game.
1. Green Bay vs. Seattle (Divisional round, 2019)
Stats: Eight catches, 11 targets, 160 yards, two touchdowns
Five years on and Adams was no longer Green Bay’s third wide receiver, but Rodgers’ top target. That itself brings added pressure as well as more attention from opposing defenses.
No problem.
Adams opened the scoring, finding the end zone on third-and-seven. He then sealed the win with a 40-yard touchdown that had some similarities to his key TD against the Cowboys in ’14. Adams made the catch, good for a first down, before he cut to his right to avoid a tackle and then sprinted into the end zone.
According to the NFL’s official Twitter account, only Rodgers had a higher PFF grade than Adams in the entire divisional round.
Adams not only had a huge game statistically, but it was a divisional-round showdown against the Seahawks, at Lambeau Field. It doesn’t get much bigger than that, and Adams delivered.