Marquez Valdes-Scantling’s 78-yard touchdown resuscitates stagnant Packers

Through 15 minutes of play on Sunday afternoon, the Green Bay Packers looked as uninterested and listless as they have at any point this season. The Packers trailed the Jacksonville Jaguars 3-0 at the end of the first quarter, dealing with windy, chilly conditions and going into that wind in the first period.

But after some poor execution early on, the first play of the second quarter saw everything change. With the Packers suddenly having the wind in their favor, Aaron Rodgers dialed up a deep ball with multiple receivers streaking deep. With the Jaguars’ secondary focused on Davante Adams up the left side of the field, Marquez Valdes-Scantling was matched up one-on-one with Sidney Jones on the right side and ran a go route.

Rodgers’ throw was right on the money as MVS beat Jones off the line. After a double-clutch on the catch, MVS hauled in the pass and was off to the races. He got a little help from the back judge as he cut back across the field, and scampered into the end zone for a 78-yard touchdown.

The score put the Packers up 7-3, and their defense got a stop on the ensuing series, forcing a Jaguars punt. Perhaps the direction of the field is going to make a major difference in this game, as the Jaguars’ field goal was a 52-yarder in the left-to-right direction.

So far, Rodgers is 7-for-9 passing for 112 yards, with most of that damage coming on the score. He should have a better opportunity to open up the offense in the remainder of the second quarter with more friendly wind conditions.