Why the Packers might be just fine without Davante Adams

It was announced on Monday afternoon that Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams would be put on the COVID-19 reserve list, per the team account on Twitter.

Now, while Adams being out is bad on paper for this team heading into a primetime showdown against an undefeated team on the road already missing six of its top players overall, there may be no reason to panic.

Here are few reasons why.

Reason #1: Packers are undefeated in games that Adams doesn’t play in over the last three seasons

Since the 2019 season, the Packers are a combined 6-0 in games that Davante Adams doesn’t play in. A few of these victories include 2019 against Dallas (Aaron Jones’ four-touchdown game), 2019 against Kansas City (Aaron Jones’ 226-yard game), 2020 against New Orleans (Allen Lazard’s 146-yard game), and 2020 against Atlanta (Robert Tonyan’s three-touchdown game).

Furthermore, Green Bay has averaged 32.8 PPG in those wins. Aaron Rodgers was asked on the Pat McAfee Show Tuesday regarding Adams’ absence. Here’s what he said:

"“We’ve found a way the last six times we’ve missed him,” Rodgers said. “We’re not a better team without him, he’s so damn talented. He’s incredible. The things he does on the field. The adjustments he makes, the catches he makes, just the savvy that he has. Late hands, meticulous route runner, great after the catch, does it all for you.”“We’re obviously going to miss him, miss his presence but we’ve found a way in the last six games, we’ve found a way to win. We’re going to have to dig into some of the ways that we did that over the years but we’ll be ready to go.”"

Rodgers knows the impact and importance of having Adams out on the field but without him, he knows that the team overall can and has stepped up, and they’ll need to do it again on Thursday night in Arizona.

Reason #2: Rodgers actually performs better without Davante Adams

With Davante Adams in the offensive lineup since 2019, Rodgers averages 246.8 YPG, 2.0 passing touchdowns, and 0.33 interceptions per game in 33 total games. Without him in six total games, Rodgers has passed for 310.8 YPG, and is averaging nearly three touchdowns (2.83) per game as well.

This also gives Rodgers the ability to spread the ball around and open up the field by utilizing other pass catchers such as Robert Tonyan, Aaron Jones (out of the backfield), and Randall Cobb. The three keys offensively will be to provide protection for Aaron Rodgers, spread the offense out by getting the ball out quickly, and utilize the running game effectively.

Reason #3: Packers are undefeated in primetime games under Aaron Rodgers

Currently, the Packers hold a 9-0 record in primetime games under Aaron Rodgers, which is the longest active streak in the NFL. The last victory came in week three on the road against San Francisco. The Arizona Cardinals are at 7-0 this season looking to make it 8-0 with a victory on Thursday night. Something has to give.