With his tally Sunday against the Bears, Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed brings his scrimmage yards to 1,020–858 receiving and 162 rushing. He finishes the season as Jordan Love’s top target, leading Green Bay pass-catchers in yards and receptions (55). His six receiving touchdowns are second to Christian Watson’s seven.
Back in Week 16, Reed became the first Packer in the 104-year history of the franchise with 900 yards from scrimmage in his first two seasons. His two catches for 48 yards (and three carries for 3) on Sunday gave him 1,000 for the year.
Accompanied soon after by Love, Watson left today’s game with a non-contact knee injury and is questionable for the first round of the playoffs against the Eagles. If he does play, he may be less than 100%. Whether it is Love or backup Malik Willis throwing passes, Reed will need to assume an even greater role for Green Bay to leave Philadelphia with a victory.
Can Jayden Reed Recreate Week 1 Performance?
It has been a quiet latter half of the season for the 2nd round pick out of Michigan State. Over his last eight contests, he has not registered more than 5 catches or 76 yards in a game. He has only been targeted 26 times, compared to 49 times before the bye week.
He has also seen less involvement on the ground, amassing 110 rushing yards in his first five games but only 53 since.
While his numbers have experienced a moderate decline, he has been fairly steady from week to week. On the season, he has three 100-plus yard explosions, with his latest coming Week 11 in a 24-14 loss to Detroit.
Ahead of the Packers’ first round matchup, one occasion of the three sticks out: 4 catches for 138 yards, including a 70-yard touchdown bomb. Reed had a 38-yard touchdown reception called back because of offsetting “too many men” penalties. His only carry of the game was a 33-yard score.
Green Bay fell short at home, 34-29, but that kind of performance is what Packers fans should hope for on the road next week.
Green Bay Packers Will Look to Reed and Others For Big Games in Philadelphia
No doubt Matt LeFleur will need other guys to step up as well, including a banged up defense and running back Josh Jacobs, who made his own franchise history on Sunday with a 9-yard touchdown run. It was his eighth straight game finding the endzone, notching his spot ahead of Paul Hornung in Packers archives.
Feat accomplished after a total of six carries for 44 yards, Jacobs sat for the rest of Green Bay’s 24-22 defeat. He finishes the season with 1301 yards on 329 attempts, and 15 TDs.
While LeFleur expects Love to be a go next week, he did not have good news about Watson. In addition to a standout game from Reed, Love will look for quality production out of Romeo Doubs (46 REC, 602 YDS), who missed Sunday with an illness but should be back for the playoffs.
Tight end Tucker Kraft, who caught four balls for 36 against the Bears, is also an important target, compiling 50 receptions for 707 yards and 7 scores this season.
After failing to hold Chicago scoreless on their final drive of the game, the Packers’ defense will also need to put up an A-level showing against a high-powered Eagles offense led by Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley.
All Reed can do, of course, is handle his duties when Green Bay has the ball. Assuming Watson is out, Philly’s secondary will consistently assign their best defenders to cover him. His team needs him more than ever, but the sophomore wideout’s job won’t get any easier.
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