HOUSTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 25: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers warms up prior to the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)
Aaron Rodgers found Marquez Valdes-Scantling wide open against the 49ers.
The Green Bay Packers didn’t add a name to their wide receiver corps at the NFL trade deadline. If Thursday night is leading to something special for Marquez Valdes-Scantling, maybe they didn’t have to.
During the second quarter, Aaron Rodgers and the Packers offense were thriving against the San Francisco 49ers secondary. Taking a deep shot, Rodgers went to the end zone looking for his target. Too bad the 49ers didn’t see Valdes-Scantling walking right past them on a deep post pattern to pick up the 52-yard touchdown, giving the Packers a 21-3 lead heading into halftime.
Is this Green Bay offense for real?
Vades-Scantling has been limited this season thanks to the emergence of Allen Lazard and tight end Robert Tonyan. Over his past three games, the former USF standout has collected fewer yards (51) on more receptions (four). That catch now has Valdes-Scantling sitting at 313 receiving yards on the season.
Maybe the 49ers defense is tired from a short break the drive earlier. Perhaps it’s struggling with multiple names being out on a short week. Either way, Rodgers is making mincemeat out of a unit that at one point was expected to be the league’s best.
Touchdowns to Devante Adams are acceptable. Plays where the team’s fourth-best receiver is wide open deep down the field won’t cut it. Through two quarters of play, Rodgers has gone 13-of-18 for 149 yards and three touchdowns.