GREEN BAY – Davante Adams is healthy, and it's showing.
The Packers receiver battled an ankle injury in 2015 and did not have the year he was hoping for, but he continues to put that disappointment behind him.
In putting together his second 100-yard game of this season on Sunday at Tennessee – a career-best 156 yards on six catches – Adams made his plays in a number of ways, and against three different Titans defenders.
As the highlights below will show, he got off press coverage, used a stutter-step in the open field, got on the same page with QB Aaron Rodgers for a back-shoulder throw, and beat his man with a double move.
Play No. 1: Second-and-6 from the Green Bay 43, second quarter, 13:59 left
Result: 14-yard completion
Adams is the one receiver in the bunch formation who gets jammed at the line of scrimmage, but he beats the press coverage of CB Brice McCain (23) and is open over the middle for a pretty easy pitch-and-catch. This play gets the Packers across midfield for the first time since beginning the game in Tennessee territory.
Play No. 2: First-and-10 from the Tennessee 32, second quarter, 12:57 left
Result: 17-yard completion
Two plays later, Adams isn't pressed at the line, and he uses a nifty stutter-step, shake move in the open field to generate plenty of separation from CB Jason McCourty (30). He snatches the quick throw and turns upfield in a hurry.
Play No. 3: First-and-20 at the Green Bay 15, second quarter, 8:19 left
Result: 46-yard completion
The back-shoulder throw requires good timing and both parties being on the same page. The key here is that – at the point the video clip is paused – Adams has turned his head back toward Rodgers right at the QB's release point, to see if he is indeed firing back-shoulder. If Adams turns his head too early, Titans CB Perrish Cox (20) might have enough time to react. If he turns it too late, his own reaction time is compromised.
The well-timed adjustment to the ball in the air also gets Cox out of position and allows for a bunch of yards after the catch. The 46-yarder ties his career-long reception from the 2014 playoff game vs. Dallas.
Play No. 4: Fourth-and-5 from the Green Bay 43, third quarter, 10:25 left
Result: 35-yard completion
On a play the Packers absolutely have to have, Adams delivers. His double move against McCourty along the sideline is well-executed, and he lays out full extension to bring in Rodgers' throw for a huge first down.
