Green Bay Packers receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling produced his best game of the 2019 season on Sunday against the Denver Broncos, catching six passes for 99 yards and a 40-yard touchdown during the 27-16 win.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers said he was “proud” of his second-year receiver, who remains one of the most important players on the offense.
“He’s playing to his timed speed. He’s playing a little bit more free,” Rodgers said after Sunday’s win.
Rodgers also highlighted a few of the missed opportunities from Sunday.
“I think he’ll look back and realize there were some opportunities,” Rodgers said. “One I got a little pressure – I maybe should have stood in there and hit him on a post (and) he dropped a couple. We hold ourselves to a high standard, I’m going to hold him to a high standard. I’m very proud of a couple of the adjustments he made today and we need continued consistency out of Marquez because he’s dynamic with his ability to get down the field.”
Rodgers and Valdes-Scantling connected three times for 76 yards in the first quarter, fueling the Packers’ quick start. Valdes-Scantling got behind the coverage of veteran cornerback Kareem Jackson on a free-play and hauled in a perfectly thrown 40-yard bomb from Rodgers to cap off the first drive. He also wiggled free of zone coverage and completed a 28-yard catch from Rodgers on third down.
But there were some missed opportunities. Twice, Valdes-Scantling couldn’t hold onto to third-down passes that likely would have converted first downs, ending drives. He was also unable to get his hands on a quick first-down throw into the end zone.
After starting 3-for-3, Rodgers completed only three of his final seven passes when targeting Valdes-Scantling the rest of the way.
Through three games, Valdes-Scantling has 13 catches for 170 yards and a score, respectable numbers for a No. 2 receiver in an offense featuring Davante Adams and a heavy run attack.
Still, the Packers will need consistency from Valdes-Scantling to take the next step. He’s the offense’s most dangerous deep threat, with the 4.3-speed necessary to both make the big plays down the field and force the defense to respect the deep ball when he’s on the field. His ability softens the defense in the middle of the field and creates big play opportunities, both off run fakes and in the normal dropback passing game.
Sunday was a step in the right direction.
