Green Bay Packers: 5 Biggest surprises of 2019 regular season
By Joe Kipp
4. Allen Lazard rises out of nowhere
With no Davante Adams (turf toe) for four weeks in the middle of the season, an unlikely hero appeared out of nowhere in the form of second-year receiver Allen Lazard. Twice Lazard rose to the occasion against the Detroit Lions this season; the first being his breakout performance in Week 6 that netted him more playing time as the season wore on.
Lazard was signed off the Jaguars practice squad by the Packers in December of 2018. His breakout game against the Lions was the first time fans really noticed him, though. Lazard recorded four catches for 65 yards and a touchdown, all in the fourth quarter, as the Packers came from behind to defeat the Lions by a final score of 23-22.
The Lions would have to face Lazard again this past Sunday in Week 17, and once again Lazard made a name for himself. He caught the game-tying touchdown (20-20) with less than five minutes remaining, helping to solidify a first-round bye in the playoffs for Green Bay in a 23-20 victory.
Lazard finished the 2019 regular season with 35 catches for 477 yards and three scores, despite seeing action on offense in only 11 games. He appears to be the No. 2 receiver in Green Bay’s offense for the foreseeable future.