The Green Bay Packers travel to Las Vegas on Monday night to face the Raiders. This will be the first time the Pack will facee wide receiver Davante Adams since GM Brian Gutekunst traded him to the Raiders prior to the 2022 season.

The Packers selected Adams in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft. The former Fresno State star struggled early in his career to live up to expectations.

But by 2016, Adams blossomed and took his game to another level. He gained 997 yards and scored 12 touchdowns that year and established himself as one of Aaron Rodgers’ favorite targets.

In 2017, Adams made his first Pro Bowl appearance. He has earned Pro Bowl honors in each of the six seasons since then, five with Green Bay and one with the Raiders. The last three seasons, he was also named All Pro.

Adams set a Packers franchise record for receptions in a season with 115 in 2020 then broke his own record in 2021 when he grabbed 123 passes. He also set a new franchise record for receiving yards that year with 1,553 while grabbing 18 touchdowns.

Adams made himself into one of the best receivers in the game with his hard work and attention to detail. He isn’t the biggest wideout in the league nor is he the fastest. But by running precise routes and disguising his intentions, he was able to gain an advantage on defensive backs trying to cover him almost immediately after the snap of the ball.

In addition, Adams and Rodgers developed outstanding chemistry. A simple look, a nod or a hand signal and the duo could change a play and run a different route. Whenever Rodgers needed a key catch on third down or in the red zone, Adams was his primary target. When they threw a back shoulder pass and Rodgers delivered the ball accurately, it was almost impossible for defenses to prevent a completion.

Adams continued to be productive after being traded to the Raiders. He was reunited with his college quarterback and friend, Derek Carr. Despite a lack of team success and Carr eventually being benched, Adams continued to excel. He caught 100 passes for 1,516 yards and led the league with 14 touchdown catches.

One thing Adams proved last season was that his success was not only due to playing with a Hall of Fame quarterback like Rodgers. “Now people can't say that.” Adams said late last season. “It proved that I am me. A quarterback doesn't make me. I make me. And I can do it consistently at this level.”

Through the first four games of this season, Adams continues to excel. He has 33 catches in four games, which puts him on pace for 140 catches which would be a new career high. And that is despite not having his starting quarterback, Jimmy Garoppolo last week due to injury. Adams also played despite suffering a shoulder injury.

Now, Adams will face the Packers for the first time. Green Bay’s defense will face the challenge of trying to slow down Adams on national television. Green Bay’s top cover corner, Jaire Alexander, will likely be the primary defender assigned to stick with Adams when the Pack plays man coverage.

Like Adams, Alexander has been dealing with injuries. A bad back caused him to miss the Packers two games although Alexander has returned to practice.

Alexander is supremely confident and the battle between Adams and Alexander should be an outstanding game within a game for all to watch on Monday night. The two supremely talented former teammates should have a great battle throughout the game.

Regardless of who plays quarterback for Las Vegas, there is little doubt Adams will get his catches. But can Alexander and the rest of the Packers secondary limit Adams’ big plays and third down conversions and can they keep him out of the end zone?

If the Packers can contain Adams and prevent him from having a big game, they stand a better chance of limiting the Raiders offense and winning the game. Of course, as the Packers well know, slowing down Adams is usually easier said than done.