In the long, storied history of the Green Bay Packers, there have been plenty of greatest wide receiver performances to come through who have put up legendary numbers. Numerous times, the Packers have had the top receiver in the league, most recently with Davante Adams. Often, the best online sportsbooks and sports betting sites had Adams the favorite to end with the most receiving yards in the NFL.
Oddly enough, Adams is tied for the eighth-best single-game performance in Packers history, so who could possibly be better?
Wide Receiver Performances in Green Bay Packers History
Don Hutson (October 18, 1942)
13 receptions, 209 yards, two touchdowns vs the Cleveland Rams
Despite the skill of the Packers wide receivers over the past 30 years or so, three of the best single-game performances in franchise history came before Alaska and Hawai’i became the 49th and 50th states. Needless to say Packers fans did not have the best online sportsbooks and sports betting sites to capitalize on Don Hutson’s ridiculously legendary game.
On the day, Hutson was on the receiving end of 13 passes. 27 passes were completed on the day by Packers quarterbacks. Hutson put on an absolute clinic and had almost the same amount of yardage as the Rams’ receivers together. Oddly enough, 209 yards by a a receiver in 1942 was only his second-best effort.
Jordy Nelson (September 14, 2014)
Nine receptions, 209 yards, one touchdown vs the New York Jets
Now we get to a game one could watch on television. Midway through the second quarter, the Packers were facing a 21-3 deficit and future MVP Aaron Rodgers kicked it into gear. Jordy Nelson did a lot of the heavy lifting and Randall Cobb (five receptions, two touchdowns) reaped the benefits.
Either way, Nelson too a Rodgers pass 80 yards with 2:08 to go to put the Packers ahead, 31-24 which ended up being the game-winner. This was immediately after the Jets went down and kicked a game-tying field goal.
Nelson was crucial for that 2014 Packers team and helped lead the team to the second seed in the NFC with a 12-4 record. It was truly a great wide receiver performance.
Don Beebe (October 14, 1996)
11 receptions, 220 yards, one touchdown vs the San Francisco 49ers
The 1994 Packers faced off against the 49ers twice, once in October and once in the playoffs. In the regular season contest, it was a classic which resulted in Green Bay escaping with a 23-20 win thanks to Don Beebe going nuclear.
Beebe’s 220 yards was such an enigma. In the 96 career games leading up to this MNF showdown, Beebe eclipsed 100 yards just seven times. Nevertheless, he was everywhere for the Packers. Oddly enough, he was not even the most-targeted receiver by quarterback Brett Favre.
Beebe scored the final touchdown on the day with a 59-yard bomb and the only scoring that followed were field goals. Green Bay went on to win Super Bowl XXXI after taking down that 49ers team once again in the NFC Divisional Round.
Don Hutson (November 21, 1943)
Eight receptions, 237 yards, two touchdowns vs the Brooklyn Dodgers
The Packers were really about that high-powered life in the World War II days and Hutson had his first of two 200+ yard days against the Brooklyn Football Dodgers.
On a day where the Packers completed just 11 passes, eight went to Hutson and the rest is history. Hutson accounted for all but 33 yards on the day. The Dodgers had no answer for the versatile end.
Hutson still sits in Packers lore nearly 80 years later. He has the fifth most yards, the most touchdowns, and the seventh most receptions. He was one of the original big-play threats professional football had to offer.
1 Billy Howton (October 21, 1956)
Seven receptions, 257 yards, two touchdowns vs the Los Angeles Rams
A mark that has stood the test of time, Billy Howton owns the greatest single-game performance by a Packers receiver. Had we had online gambling platforms back in 1956, you would have gotten massively long odds for a ridiculous game by Howton here.
On the day, Howton led the way with his seven receptions and two scores while the next receiver finished with five and two. The difference was a near 200 yards. He scored a 36-yarder as well as 63-yard touchdown to pace Green Bay to a massive 42-17 win.