Who would’ve thought that two rookie Wide Receivers would be making an impact for the Packers?
In what seemingly was a must win game for the Packers Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks contributed big time in Sundays win against the Chargers.
Reed to the Rescue
Let’s start off with Reed.
Reed had 4 receptions for 46 yards against the Chargers.
It doesn’t look like much but Reed did make some big-time catches when they were needed.
He averaged 11.5 yards per catch with his longest pass being 19 yards.
Reed showed his versatility as he was the leading rusher for the Packers.
With Aaron Jones exiting the game with a knee injury, Reed had 3 carries for 46 yards and a touchdown.
That touchdown account for the majority of the yardage as Reed ran it in from 32 yards.
The 32-yard run was Reed’s longest rush this season
This was also the second week in a row that Reed had a touchdown in a game.
The Wicks Effect
Wicks was the Packers leading receiver in yardage with 3 receptions for 91 yards and a 30.3-yard average per reception.
Wicks showed the ability to get yards after the catch.
The one play that exemplified it the most was a play late in the fourth quarter.
On a 2nd and 10 from the Packers 39-yard line, Wicks caught a pass that would’ve just resulted in a 5-yard gain and a 3rd and 5.
Rookie Wide Receivers impressive all season
Instead, Wicks bounced off a tackle and made another man miss and went running for 35 yards to set up the Packers game winning touchdown.
Both Reed and Wicks have been impressive not only in this game but this season as well.
To see both of them being incorporated in the game plan more and more as the season progresses shows how much trust the Packers have in both rookies.
If both can continue their success this season and make a second year jump next year, you could be looking at the future of the Packers wide receiving room for a very long time.
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Hau Khuong has been a Packers fan since 1996. He currently works as a video editor in Green Bay and writes for PackersTalk.com and you can follow him on twitter at @HauKhuongSports.
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